1:48 F-102A Delta Dagger canopy mask (inside and outside) Revell

The Delta Dagger: glazing from both sides

The double-sided form of the painting stencils for the F-102A. Besides the outer framing it also deals with the inner side of the clear parts, which is visible with the cockpit open and which usually has a different shade from the skin of the airframe. You will find the designation of the kit the cut is made for in the name of the item.

The service of a delta-winged interceptor

The Delta Dagger entered units in the middle of the 1950s as an answer to the threat of long-range bombers. The lone pilot relied on the onboard radar and on the ground control network, so nobody expected him to fight an opponent within sight. The machines stood in alert shelters at bases from Alaska to the Mediterranean, later passed to the units of the National Guard and part of them finished their service as target drones. The long service is precisely what makes the type a rewarding subject for color schemes.

Tips for painting the glazing

• Spray the inner side first and only then deal with the outer frames.
• The inside of the frames usually carries the cockpit shade, the outer side the color of the airframe.
• Lay the paint on in thin coats, otherwise a ridge forms under the edge.
• Take the stencil off while the sprayed coat is fresh; the edge will be cleaner.
• An open canopy gives away every bit of bleed, which is why the double-sided solution pays off.

Who it is for

Above all for builders who leave the cockpit hinged back and want the model to stand up to a close look. It will serve just as well anyone who closes the glazing, because the inner frames show through the clear part.