1:48 Bell AH-1G Cobra

Eduard 1:48 - masks for the Bell AH-1G Cobra

This is neither a kit nor a photo-etched set but a masking set. The masks are die-cut in advance to the shape of the individual window panels, so you just stick them onto the glazing, spray the frame and peel the mask off. That does away with cutting tape with a knife directly on a clear part, which is the riskiest part of painting a cockpit.

Why it pays off

The AH-1G has a narrow cockpit with two seats in tandem and glazing made up of flat panels separated by pronounced framing. Flat panels tempt you to mask them by hand, yet it is precisely with them that every inaccuracy shows at once, because the eye compares straight edges side by side. A die-cut mask holds a constant frame width along the whole length of the cockpit, which tape by hand manages only with difficulty.

Usage tips

Wash and degrease the glazing, because a mask will not hold on a greasy surface. Lift a mask off the sheet with the tip of a knife or with tweezers and, once it is stuck down, press it along its whole edge, above all in the corners of the window panels. Spray the paint in thin coats, because a heavy coat creeps under the edge and makes a visible step. Peel the mask off while the paint has only just dried. Glue clear parts with a glue intended for glazing, as ordinary cement for plastic can fog the glass.

Who the set is for

• modelers building the AH-1G Cobra in 1:48 scale
• builders who want a constant frame width without cutting by hand
• work with an airbrush, where a sharp frame edge is a condition of a good result
• modelers who do not want to risk scratching clear parts with a knife

This is an accessory for a plastic kit. The model, paints and glue are not included in the package. Eduard also makes other accessories for the same helicopter under the same designation, namely full photo-etched sets and pre-painted Zoom sets. This item is a masking set.