1:48 Spitfire Mk.VIII double-sided express fit mask for Eduard

Art Scale 1:48 Spitfire Mk.VIII, double-sided masking set

Self-adhesive masks cut to the shape of the glazing of the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII kit from Eduard in 1:48 scale. This is an accessory for painting, not a model. The name gives the double-sided form, that is masks for the outer and the inner face of the glass.

When to get the sheet ready and how to handle it

Masks are not a consumable trifle that you buy and put aside at once. It is best to have them at hand right at the start of the build, because the inner masks come up before the fuselage is closed, and anyone who finds them only after the glass is glued in loses half the benefit. Until then, leave the sheet in its original bag, lying flat, away from heat and direct light. A bent or dusty sheet holds worse and the film hardens at the edges. Release the parts from the sheet only just before sticking them on, and pick them up with tweezers by the face, not by the edge, so as not to crease them. It also pays to keep the surrounding material left over from the sheet, because you can cut small extra masks out of it for places the set does not deal with, such as the outline of a light or a cover.

The real subject

The Spitfire Mk.VIII was the version of the British fighter with the two-stage supercharged Merlin engine, developed as the planned production variant for that powerplant. The framing of the cockpit is broken up, which makes masking one of the most time-consuming parts of the build.

Who the set is for

• Builders of British fighters in 1:48 scale.
• Modelers who want the frames right when seen into the cockpit as well.
• Anyone who plans the build ahead and wants the masks ready in time.

The kit, paints and varnishes are not included in the package. The number of parts and the material of the film are not stated here.