1:48 Hawker Tempest Mk.II Hi-Tech imatriculation

The real subject

The Hawker Tempest was among the highest-performing British fighters of the closing stages of the Second World War. The Mk.II version differed from the earlier ones in its powerplant: it received a radial engine, so it has a nose of circular section and lacks the prominent radiator under the fuselage. It stayed in service after the war and flew outside Britain as well.

What the set contains

Masks for spraying the markings on a model in 1:48 scale. Spraying through a mask puts the insignia straight into the paint, that is, without a carrier film, which shines on a flat coat and shows up as a light outline when it silvers. Sprayed markings also take later weathering, chipping and filtering just as the paint around them does. The extent of the sheet and the layout of the individual pieces are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Work tips

• wash and degrease the surface before applying the mask
• apply the mask to a dry base coat, that is, before the color of the insignia
• press the edges down with a toothpick, above all across rivets and panel lines
• spray several light coats at right angles to the mask
• lift the mask while the paint is fresh, pulling at a shallow angle
• apply a clear coat over the finished markings only once they are fully dry

Who it is for

The set is for the modeler who wants the markings right in the paint and expects to chip and weather the finished model afterwards. It also helps where the decals in the kit have yellowed or gone brittle with age, which happens readily with boxes that have been stored for a long time.

Terms of supply

Masks are supplied. The model, paints, decals and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.