1:48 A-1H/J Skyraider UC bays Tamiya

The real subject

The Douglas A-1 Skyraider is an American carrier-borne attack aircraft with a piston radial engine. It was created at the end of the Second World War and yet it still served in Vietnam, where it excelled at what jets could not do: it could loiter over the battlefield for a long time and carry a heavy load of weapons under the wing. The A-1H and A-1J forms belong to the late single-seat versions and are the most frequently modeled shape of this type.

What the set contains

A set of masks in 1:48 scale intended for masking the landing gear bays. The name ties it to the Tamiya kit, so the shapes follow the parts of that kit. The Skyraider stands on the ground with the gear extended and the large bays in the wing are clearly visible on a finished model, so a clean transition between the shade of the bay and the underside of the wing is worth the effort. The lengthy cutting of tape into a complicated outline falls away as well.

Building and painting tips

• Stick the masks down before spraying, onto a dry and degreased surface.
• Press the edges down with a blunt wooden stick so that paint cannot flow under them.
• Spray the paint in thin coats and let them set.
• Remove the mask once the paint has dried, slowly and at a sharp angle.
• Paint the inside of the bays and the doors before you seat them in the assembly.

Terms of supply

The masks are supplied on their own. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise. For the placement of the pieces and the application procedure, follow the manufacturer's instructions.