1:48 P-39Q Airacobra Optical Illusion Control Surfaces Corrected Arma Hobby

The real subject

The Bell P-39 Airacobra was an American fighter of unusual construction: it had the engine housed behind the pilot, the drive shaft ran under the floor of the cockpit and a cannon sat in the axis of the propeller. Nose gear, rare on fighters at the time, went with it, and side doors to the cockpit instead of a sliding canopy. The Q version was the most numerous and a large part of the production went to the Soviet Air Force, where the Airacobra proved itself in combat over the front at low altitudes.

What the set offers

The masks define the outlines of the control surfaces so that they can be sprayed separately and set apart optically from the surrounding covering on a finished model. The cut is prepared for the P-39Q kits from Arma Hobby in 1:48 scale and the set is a corrected form, that is a later revision of the shapes of the masks.

• Control surface masks for the P-39Q Airacobra in 1:48 scale
• A cut for the Arma Hobby kits
• A corrected form of the set
• Applied to a finished surface before spraying
• The parts of the kit are not touched in any way

Building and painting tips

Before applying, dry, clean and degrease the surface. Press the edges of the mask down with a blunt toothpick so that paint does not run under them, and spray thinly in several passes. Take the mask off shortly after spraying, while the finish has not hardened completely, pulling it back over itself at a sharp angle. Choose a shade only slightly different from the surrounding finish: it is to suggest a different surface, not to draw the aircraft up into pieces.

Who it is for

For modelers who build American fighters of the Second World War in 1:48 scale and want to take a finished model further in paint. The kit, paints and glue are not part of the package, unless stated otherwise.