1:48 Spitfire Mk.XVI one-sided express fit mask for Eduard

Art Scale 1:48 Spitfire Mk.XVI masking set, single-sided form

This item is not a kit but an accessory for a model already bought. It is a set of pre-cut self-adhesive masks for the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVI in 1:48 scale. The templates are stuck onto the glazing and bound the cockpit frames exactly, so that after spraying a sharp transition is left between the frame and the clear area. The designation one-sided means that the set is cut for the outer face of the clear parts. The set is intended for Eduard kits.

How the masks are applied

First wash the clear part in lukewarm water with detergent and let it dry completely so that the mask holds well. Lift the individual shapes off the carrier film with tweezers or the tip of a scalpel, lay them on the glass and press them down with a soft stick all the way round, so that no paint runs under an edge. Cover the rest of the part with tape or with masking fluid. Spray the paint in several thin coats instead of one heavy one, because a heavy coat runs under far more readily. Take the mask off with a pull at a shallow angle to the surface while the coat is still fresh.

Why reach for ready-made masks

Cutting frames out of masking tape by hand is a long job on a Spitfire: the cockpit has rounded shapes and irregularly divided frames to which a ruler cannot be applied. Ready-made templates do away with that work and the result is repeatable, so the second and third models come out just as well as the first. If you need to paint the frames from inside the cockpit as well, look for the double-sided variant of the same set; this one is single-sided.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who build the Spitfire Mk.XVI in 1:48 scale
• Anyone who wants sharp cockpit frames without cutting tape by hand
• Beginners who do not yet dare to mask glazing
• Builders for whom masking the glazing from the outside is enough

The package holds masks only. The model, paints and glue are not included.