1:48 F-106A/B Delta Dart UC bays Trumpeter

The real subject

The Convair F-106 Delta Dart was an American interceptor with a tailless delta wing and a smooth fuselage free of external loads, because it carried its armament inside. The F-106A version is the single-seat combat machine, while the two-seat F-106B served for training and can be told from the single-seater by the lengthened glazing of the cockpit for two men in tandem. In the larger scale both the slender shape of the airframe and the intricate landing gear bays come out well.

What the set offers

The masks cover the openings of the landing gear bays so that no overspray reaches them while you spray the fuselage and the wings. The inside of the bay keeps the shade you gave it and the edge of the opening stays crisp. The cut follows the shapes of the bays on the 1:48 F-106 kits from Trumpeter and, according to the name, covers both versions.

• Landing gear bay masks for the F-106A and F-106B
• 1:48 scale, cut for the Trumpeter kits
• Protects the inside of the bays from overspray
• Replaces stuffing the bays with paper or modeling putty
• Applied before spraying the outer surfaces

How to work with the masks

Spray the inside of the bays and let it dry thoroughly. Then degrease the surface around the opening, seat the mask and press the edges down with a blunt toothpick so that paint cannot creep underneath. Spray the outer surfaces thinly and in several passes. Remove the mask shortly after spraying, while the coat has not fully hardened, pulling it back over itself at a sharp angle. In the larger scale the inside of the bays is clearly visible, so their shade and shading are worth the effort before the masks go on.

Who it is for

For modelers who build American interceptors in 1:48 scale and want clean landing gear bays without lengthy masking with tape. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.