1:48 Lockheed F-104A/C Starfighter ADVANCED kabuki masks

Lockheed F-104A/C Starfighter masking set in 1:48 scale (New Ware)

This is neither a model nor decals but a set of self-adhesive masks for a model of the Lockheed F-104A/C Starfighter in 1:48 scale from the brand New Ware. The masks are cut from kabuki paper, a thin Japanese paper with a fine adhesive that follows curves well and leaves no residue on the surface after it is lifted. The set is given in the ADVANCED level; for a number of aircraft the manufacturer also offers the BASIC and EXPERT levels, which differ in the extent of what is cut in the package.

What the set is for

Masking the canopy framing by hand with tape is a long job, and in small scales it is where imprecision shows most. Pre-cut masks shorten that step to sticking them on and, above all, they guarantee that the lines are straight and evenly wide on both sides of the model. The result is a sharp transition with no paint creeping under the mask.

Usage tips

Degrease the glazing before masking and do not touch it with your fingers. Lift the masks off the sheet with tweezers or a pointed knife, set them dry and press them down with a toothpick or a cotton bud, above all around the edge, because that is where the paint most often creeps under. Apply the paint in several thin coats; one heavy coat will creep under sooner than three light ones. Take the mask off while the paint is freshly dry, not after several days, and pull it back over itself rather than straight up. Any adhesive residue can be wiped away with a cotton bud.

Who the set is for

• builders of a Starfighter model in 1:48 scale
• modelers who want sharp canopy framing without cutting tape by hand
• beginners, for whom masking with tape takes the most time
• modelers spraying with an airbrush, where the cleanness of the transition shows most

The set holds no model, paints or glue. Before buying, check that the masks match the kit you are building, because the cut follows the particular shape of the parts.