1:48 P-40B

1:48 P-40B - Eduard masking set

The item is a masking accessory from the Czech brand Eduard, intended for a model of the Curtiss P-40B fighter in 1:48 scale. It holds pre-cut templates that are stuck onto the areas of the model that are to stay unsprayed and are removed once the paint has dried. The templates are cut to the shape of the glazing of a particular kit, so there is no trimming of tape by hand. The contents of the set are given on the fret and in the instructions.

The real subject

The Curtiss P-40B was an American single-seat fighter of the early 1940s, recognizable by its slim nose with a liquid-cooled V engine, the characteristic radiator under the nose and landing gear that retracted into the wing. It was one of the first production versions of the P-40 family; the aircraft served with American units and with Allied users under their own designations and became known in the first years of the war above all as a rugged machine suited to combat at low and medium altitude.

Building and painting tips

Wash and degrease the clear parts before masking. Move the templates with tweezers and press the edges down with a blunt toothpick - paint creeps in exactly where a template does not sit flush. Spray the paint in thin coats; a heavy coat creates a step at the edge that shows once the mask is removed. On cockpit frames it pays to spray the interior color first and only then the outer camouflage. Remove the masks once the paint is dry, pulling along the edge. Adhesive residue can be wiped off with a cotton swab moistened with water or alcohol, not with an aggressive thinner.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building the P-40B in 1:48 scale
• Those who want sharp frame edges without cutting tape by hand
• Beginners who find masking clear parts difficult
• Builders who want to save time preparing the cockpit

This is an accessory for building, not a model in its own right. The kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.