1:48 Douglas A-4B/A-4C Skyhawk grey C white camouflage Kabuki masks

The real subject

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is an American single-seat carrier attack aircraft that was created as a deliberately small and simple machine. Its delta wing has such a short span that it did not even fold for the carrier. The A-4B and A-4C versions are among the early configurations of the type and carry the classic naval combination of a gray upper surface and a white underside, that is a scheme with a pronounced boundary running the whole length of the fuselage and across the nacelles and leading edges.

What the masks are for

That boundary is exactly the hardest part of painting a model. A line drawn by hand wanders and a paper template will not form over a curve. The set brings pre-cut masks of kabuki tape that follow the course of the transition between the two shades on the A-4B and A-4C model in 1:48 scale. The extent of the set and the exact placement of the individual pieces are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

How to use the masks

Kabuki is a thin, soft tape that conforms to a curve and leaves no deposit of adhesive behind. The procedure is to spray the lighter lower color first, cover it with the masks once it is dry and only then apply the upper shade. So you always apply the masks before spraying, not after. The surface has to be clean, dry and degreased, and the edges of the mask pressed down carefully so that paint cannot creep under them. Spray thin coats and lift the mask off shortly after the paint has dried, before the adhesive takes hold fully.

Who it is for

For modelers who want the transition between the two shades straight and repeatable even on curved surfaces. The model, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.