1:72 Savoia-Marcchetti S.55A kabuki masks

What the masks are for

Die-cut masks for a model of the Savoia-Marchetti S.55A in 1:72 scale. They are of thin Japanese paper tape, which can be pressed even into a curve, holds just firmly enough for paint not to get under it, and leaves no glue on the surface once taken off. They cover the surfaces that are to stay without a coat, so cutting masks from tape with a knife falls away, a job in which the edges never come out so accurately.

The real subject

The Savoia-Marchetti S.55 is an Italian flying boat of unusual construction: it has two float hulls side by side, a massive wing between them and tail surfaces carried on booms. A pair of engines is placed above the wing in tandem one behind the other, one driving a tractor and the other a pusher propeller. The type became renowned for mass long-distance flights at the beginning of the 1930s, when it set out across the ocean in close formation, and to this day it belongs among the most conspicuous aircraft of its time.

How to use the masks

Lift the mask off its backing with sharp tweezers or the tip of a scalpel, lay it in place and press the edges down with a wooden stick, so that they bed down everywhere. Always stick them on before spraying. Apply the paint in thin layers perpendicular to the surface, so that it does not seep under the edge of the mask. Take the mask off as soon as the paint has set, otherwise the edge may tear when it is pulled away. The masks tend to be die-cut to the shape of the parts of a particular kit, so verify in the manufacturer's description which kit they are cut for.

Who they are for

For modelers who are building the S.55 in 1:72 scale and want clean sharp transitions without lengthy cutting out. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.