1:48 Bristol Beaufighter Mk.I Markings airbrush mask for Revell

Masks for the markings of the Bristol Beaufighter Mk.I, 1:48 scale

This product is neither a model of the aircraft nor a part of one but a modeling accessory: a sheet of pre-cut MH models masks for spraying the markings of the Beaufighter Mk.I. The insignia is sprayed directly into the finish, so it looks like part of the surface rather than a film on top of it.

The real subject

The Beaufighter is a type with a very uneven surface: deep panel lines, covers, transitions of the fuselage and the engine nacelles. It is exactly on such a surface that decals most often misbehave, and the quality of the markings is then the first thing a viewer notices on a finished model.

Where a mask has the upper hand

Across a pressing or a panel line a mask follows the shape exactly and the paint goes straight onto the finish, so no step and no fold appear. You do not have to work with softeners and there is no danger of the film pulling together once it has dried. The insignia can also be rubbed or filled with a wash just like the surrounding paint.

Recommended procedure

Prepare a smooth gloss varnish under the mask and let it cure. Lay the insignia out according to the panel lines and check them from a distance, because a deviation is hard to judge from close up. Spray the paint perpendicularly, in thin coats. Take the mask off shortly after it has set and repair any run straight away with a fine brush.

Who the set is for

• builders of the Beaufighter in 1:48 who want accurate, clean markings
• models with an uneven surface, where a decal settles badly
• builds finished in matte with pronounced weathering
• modelers with experience of masking and an airbrush

The set is cut for a particular kit in 1:48 scale, so check before you buy that it matches the model you are building. Paints and varnishes are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.