1:48 Grumman F-14A TomcatEXPERT kabuki masks

The real subject

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American two-seat carrier-based fighter with a variable-geometry wing that sweeps back in flight according to speed. The A version is the type's first production standard. The crew sits in tandem under a long canopy with several frames, and that is exactly where the viewer's eye settles first on a finished model; a sharp border between frame and glass therefore decides the impression the whole job makes.

What the set contains

Pre-cut painting masks for a model of the F-14A Tomcat in 1:48 scale. The material is kabuki paper tape: it is pliable, presses down even into a curve, holds just firmly enough to keep paint from getting underneath, and leaves no adhesive on the surface once lifted. It does away with cutting masks by knife, where the edges never come out as accurate. What exactly the version marked EXPERT covers is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

How to work with the masks

• Stick the masks onto paint that is thoroughly dry, and always before spraying, never after.
• Move them with tweezers or the tip of a knife and press the edges down carefully, above all in the curves.
• Try the mask on the part dry before you start spraying.
• Spray perpendicular to the surface and in several thin coats; a heavy coat will bleed under the edge.
• Lift the masks off shortly after the paint has set and pull them at an angle across the edge.

Who it is for

For modelers who do not want to give up an evening to cutting tape and who want the glazing frames straight even after unmasking. The kit itself, the paints and the glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.