1:35 GERMAN Turret Numbers Stencil Airbrush mask

1:35 German Turret Numbers Stencil — airbrush masks, 1 Man Army

A set of self-adhesive masks for spraying German tactical numbers onto a vehicle turret in 1:35 scale, the manufacturer's part number 35GEN444. The numbers are rendered in a stencil font, that is in a typeface with broken strokes, the kind that comes from spraying through a metal stencil. The masks are machine-cut from a low-tack film.

Stencil or Full — how the sets differ

Tactical numbers come in two versions and mixing them up is the most common reason for a return. This set is Stencil, the broken font. The sister set 35GEN443 carries the numbers in the Full version, that is in the solid, unbroken shape. Both forms occurred in German units; the particular formation and period decide, so compare the version with a photograph of the machine you are building.

How to apply the masks

• Seat the numerals on a cured base coat, ideally over a smooth intermediate coat of clear.
• Try the spacing dry before you stick anything down; turret numbers were usually placed symmetrically on both sides.
• Spray in thin coats perpendicular to the surface so the paint does not creep under the broken strokes.
• Lift the mask once the paint has set and correct any slight overspray with a brush.

Who the set is for

For builders of German vehicles in 1:35 who want their tactical numbers sprayed, and for dioramas with a chipped and weathered surface where a decal would give away its carrier film.

These are masks for painting the model, not a kit. The base kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.