1:35 Bell AH-1G

The real subject

The Bell AH-1G was the first series-built attack helicopter of the US Army and first saw large-scale use in Vietnam. It is recognizable at a glance from transport machines: it has a very narrow fuselage, a two-man crew seated in tandem, stub wings carrying the armament and skids instead of wheels. In 1:35 scale this is a large model on which every surface detail shows.

What the set contains

A mask set for this helicopter in 1:35 scale. What exactly is drawn on the sheet, and for which kit, is given by the manufacturer's instructions. Masking pays off on a helicopter especially on the large glazed areas: the cockpit of the Cobra is glazed a long way forward and the frames are narrow, so a straight line drawn freehand is hard to achieve.

Work tips

• wash and degrease the glazing and the surface before applying the masks, as a mask will not hold on grease
• move the pieces with tweezers and press the edges down with a toothpick
• spray the frames with the interior shade first and only then with the exterior color
• spray several thin coats perpendicular to the surface, not at an angle under the edge of the mask
• lift the mask while the paint is still fresh, pulling at an acute angle
• wipe any glue residue off the glazing with a cloth lightly moistened with alcohol

Who it is for

For the modeler who is building the Cobra in a large scale and does not want to struggle with the frames using a hand-drawn line or strips of tape. The time saved shows above all on the cockpit glazing, where there are many frames and all of them are visible.

Terms of supply

Masks are supplied. The model, paints, decals and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.