1:48 Mil Mi-17 Hip-H one-sided express fit mask for Trumpeter

1:48 Mil Mi-17 Hip-H - a single-sided Art Scale mask for the Trumpeter model

This item is a set of pre-cut self-adhesive masking templates in 1:48 scale for the glazing of the Mil Mi-17 helicopter, in the NATO code name Hip-H. It is not a model but an accessory for one: the templates protect the clear parts while spraying and leave sharply bounded frames. The set is cut for the Mi-17 Hip-H model from the maker Trumpeter.

The single-sided form covers the outer side of the glazing. For painting the frames from the inner side as well, a double-sided variant of the same item exists.

What the mask is for

The Mi-17 is the export designation of the Mi-8MT and differs from its predecessor mainly in its powerplant and in some details of the airframe - but its glazing is just as intricate: large front panes, the pilots' side windows and a row of ports along the fuselage. Masking these shapes by hand is slow and prone to asymmetry. Pre-cut templates shorten the whole step markedly.

How the mask is used

• Degrease the glazing and let it dry thoroughly.
• Transfer the templates with tweezers and lay them from the center toward the edges.
• Press the edges down with a toothpick, so that no paint runs under them.
• Spray in thin coats and lift the mask off shortly after it dries.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building the Mi-17 in 1:48 scale from Trumpeter parts.
• Those who want symmetrical frames without cutting tape by hand.
• Beginners who find masking glazing troublesome.
• Experienced modelers who want to save time on preparation.