1:48 A-26B Invader Pacific Theater EXPERT kabuki masks

Masking set 1:48 A-26B Invader, EXPERT level (New Ware)

This is a modeling accessory, not a model of the aircraft: a set of pre-cut masks of kabuki tape for building the Douglas A-26B Invader in 1:48. The manufacturer New Ware grades its sets by scope, and the EXPERT designation is the wider of those on offer for this aircraft; the basic variant is the BASIC level. Kabuki tape is thin and pliable, it follows curves well and leaves no adhesive behind when removed.

The real subject

The Douglas A-26 Invader was an American twin-engine attack bomber introduced at the close of the Second World War. The A-26B version carried a solid nose with machine guns and served for attacks on ground targets. The Pacific Theater epithet refers to service in the Pacific area; the humid, salty environment usually shows on models of this period as more pronounced surface wear.

Use and tips

Degrease the surface before sticking the masks down and let it dry; press the mask down all the way round with a toothpick so that no paint runs under the edge. Spray in thin coats and take the mask off while the paint has only just dried, with tweezers and at a sharp angle. Wider sets are worth working through in stages: the canopy frames first, the rest once that has dried. Before varnishing the whole model, check that you have not forgotten any small piece of mask under a wing or on the fuselage.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who want to mask more than just the cockpit canopy
• Builds with an emphasis on crisp edges and clean transitions
• More experienced builders for whom a wider scope of masks pays off
• Anyone building the Invader in 1:48

This is an accessory, not a model. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package.