1:48 Macchi MC.200 Saetta TFace

Mask set 1:48 Macchi MC.200 Saetta TFace

A set of painting masks from the Czech maker Eduard for a model of the Italian Macchi MC.200 Saetta fighter in 1:48 scale. The templates are cut to the shape of the frames and glazed areas, so when spraying the cockpit there is no measuring out and cutting of masking tape by hand. The TFace designation means the set is prepared for masking the canopy from both sides, outside and inside. That comes in useful on models where the cockpit is clearly visible and the frame is to be painted one color inside and another outside.

The real subject

The Macchi C.200 Saetta was a single-seat fighter of the Regia Aeronautica with a Fiat radial engine, which first flew in the second half of the 1930s and went into combat from 1940. It was known for good agility and a sturdy structure, but for weaker armament and lower speed than its contemporaries. Its characteristic feature is the high fuselage spine behind the cockpit. On some production batches a cockpit without an enclosed canopy appeared, because pilots preferred a direct view. The machine served over the Mediterranean and on the Eastern Front, and its airframe became the basis for the later Macchi with an inline engine.

Usage tips

• Degrease the glazing and let it dry, and only then lay the templates on.
• Press the edges of the templates down carefully so the paint does not seep under.
• Spray the cockpit frame first in the interior shade, then in the outer camouflage.
• Take the masks off shortly after the paint has dried, not after a longer time.

Who the set is for

For modelers building the Italian fighter in 1:48 scale who want a clean division between the cockpit frame and the glass without cutting tape by hand. The set is neither a model nor a kit; it is an accessory for the painting stage of a finished model.