1:72 Westland Sea King HC.4, HC.3/Mk.43 ADVANCED kabuki masks

Kabuki masks for the Sea King HC.4, HC.3 and Mk.43

A set of kabuki masks for models of the Westland Sea King helicopter in 1:72 scale, listed in the ADVANCED rendition. Kabuki is a thin paper tape of Japanese origin: it adapts well to the curve of glazing, holds reliably and leaves no glue on the surface once it is taken off. On a helicopter that has as many windows as a bus, it saves hours of cutting out.

The real subject

The Sea King is a British version of an American helicopter produced at Westland, recognizable by its boat-shaped hull. The designations in the name belong to several renditions: the HC.4 is the naval version for carrying an assault party, the HC.3 serves the air force for supporting ground forces and the Mk.43 is an export rendition. These are closely related machines, and that is why the set lists them together.

How to use the masks

• Wash and degrease the glazing first, as the tape does not hold on a greasy surface.
• Stick the mask onto a dry base, that is, before the paint is sprayed, never after it.
• Press the edges down with a blunt tip, mainly in the corners and on the curves of the frames.
• Apply the paint in several thin layers, so that it does not seep under the edge.
• Once it is dry to the touch, take the mask off with tweezers by pulling along the surface, not perpendicularly upward.

Who the set is for

For builders of helicopters in 1:72 scale who want straight window frames without laborious cutting of tape. Which kit the masks are cut for and what exactly the ADVANCED rendition covers is given by the manufacturer in the instructions. This is an accessory to a model, not a kit. The model, the paints and the varnish are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.