1:48 Jaguar GR.1/GR.3 canopy frame paint mask Kitty Hawk

Jaguar GR.1 and GR.3, cockpit frame mask in 1:48

The mask is cut for the canopy of the Jaguar kit from the Kitty Hawk company. The shape of the cockpit differs between manufacturers on models of this machine, so choosing the right variant decides whether the pieces will seat without gaps.

A joint work of two schools of aviation

The Jaguar grew out of a French and British program that was originally meant to produce a trainer. The project developed into an attack aircraft for low-level flight, powered by a pair of Adour engines. The British GR.1 carried weapons on underwing pylons and on a pair of pylons above the wing, where short-range missiles were mounted. The upgrade to GR.3 standard brought a new navigation and attack system. Royal Air Force machines took part in the fighting in the Persian Gulf and in operations over the Balkans and stayed in service until 2007.

How to get the frames sharp

The cockpit of the Jaguar has very slender framing, so even a small shift of a piece is visible on the finished model. Work with tweezers with smooth jaws, press every piece down and only then reach for the airbrush. Apply the paint in several light coats; a single heavy coat creates a ridge at the edge that stays there once the mask comes off. It also helps to leave a longer pause between the individual applications than ordinary large-area painting would call for.

Suitable for

• Fans of modern British combat aircraft
• Builders of aircraft from the fighting in the Persian Gulf
• Modelers who want clean and thin frames
• Those who build the Jaguar from the manufacturer mentioned