1:48 EA-18G

Eduard 1:48 EA-18G, a masking set

This is not an aircraft kit but an accessory to one. The Czech manufacturer Eduard, from Obrnice near Most, cuts the masks out of so-called kabuki tape, a thin yellow paper material with a mild adhesive that takes to curves well and, after spraying, comes off without residue and without damaging the paint. The masks are cut precisely in advance to the shape of the individual frames and areas, so the slow cutting of tape with a knife on the model itself falls away. This set is in the basic version, that is masking from the outer side; Eduard also runs a TFace variant for the same type, which masks the cockpit from inside as well as from outside.

The real subject

The EA-18G Growler is a two-seat carrier-borne electronic warfare aircraft of the US Navy derived from the airframe of the F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter. It entered service in the late 2000s and replaced the older EA-6B. The task of the aircraft is jamming and suppressing air defenses, and the equipment carried on its external racks matches that. For modelers what matters is that the Growler has extensive glazing over its two-seat cockpit with pronounced framing, exactly the case where masking by hand takes the most time.

Use and tips

• Stick the masks on a clean and degreased surface, ideally on already polished glazing with no fingerprints.
• Press the edges down thoroughly with a toothpick or a blunt wooden stick, so that no paint creeps under them.
• Spray in thin coats; a heavy coat tears while being lifted and pulls the edge away.
• Lift the masks off shortly after the paint has dried, not after weeks, because the adhesive hardens over time.
• Before the color goes on it is a good idea to spray over the edge of the mask with the interior shade, so that any creep does not show.

Who the set is for

For modelers who build the Growler in 1:48 scale and want sharp transitions on the cockpit framing without hours of work with a knife. Eduard runs more than one set for this type under the same name and tells them apart by the exact designation of the line: masks, a pre-painted Zoom set, a full photo-etched set or a decal set are different products that can be combined. Before buying, therefore, check that you are ordering the masks and which kit they are cut for.

The set holds masking material only. The model, paints and glue are not included in the package.