1:48 Mask S.Spitfire FR.46/FR.47 EXPERT (AIRF)

The real subject

The Seafire was a carrier-based fighter derived from the Spitfire, and the FR.46 and FR.47 versions stand at the very end of its development. The letters FR denote a fighter with reconnaissance equipment, that is a machine that carried photographic apparatus alongside its armament. They were large and powerful airplanes of the postwar generation, recognizable on a model by the massive nose and the broad fin.

What the set solves

Masking the glazing and other small areas is one of the most time-consuming steps of a build. Pre-cut masks shorten it to minutes: the pieces are peeled off the backing, applied to the model and taken off after spraying, so that the edges stay crisp and straight with no trimming of tape by hand.

The EXPERT version

A BASIC version is also issued in the range for the same airplane. This item is the EXPERT version, which is the more comprehensive of the two. Which particular areas the set covers follows from the instructions enclosed by the manufacturer, so go by its diagram, and it is a good idea to work through the masks in the order it gives.

Work tips

• wash and degrease the areas before applying the masks, as a mask does not hold on a greasy surface
• always apply the masks before spraying, not onto paint that has dried
• press the edges down carefully with a wooden stick, so that no paint runs underneath them
• spray perpendicular and in thin coats, as a heavy coat forms a step at the edge
• take the mask off while the paint is freshly dried, not after it has stood for a long time

Terms of supply

The kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.