1:48 Junkers Ju-88C-4 Canopy airbrush mask

From fast bomber to heavy fighter

The Ju 88 started out as a fast bomber, but its roomy fuselage and decent range made it a versatile carrier for entirely different tasks. The C version received a solid metal nose with cannon and machine guns in place of the glazed one, which turned it into a bomber destroyer and later a night hunter as well. That conversion changes the whole look of the aircraft: the extensive cockpit above the wing remains, but the nose glazing that makes the type so easy to recognize disappears.

What the mask is good for

The remaining glazing still has more than ten panes and the frames meet at varying angles. Picking them out by hand takes a whole evening here and still does not come out even. The cut film pieces are set on the edges once and the frame comes out the same width across the whole cockpit.

The masking procedure

Start by comparing the pieces on the sheet with the molding to work out which one goes where. Work from the largest panes to the smallest and press each piece into the corners, where the paint runs under most often. With a night camouflage in dark shades it pays to spray more thin coats, because black paint likes to build up at the edge of the mask. Lift the film off shortly after it has dried, not after varnishing. The model, the clear parts and the paints are not included in the package.

What builds it suits

The set suits building machines of the night fighter arm as well as daytime bomber destroyers, that is wherever the cockpit has crisp lines and plenty of detail. It can also be used when you want to leave the canopy open and show the inside of the fuselage, because the frames then need the right color on both sides. For the rest of the build it is best to glue the clear part on only once the spraying is finished.