1:48 Vampire FB.5/9 TFace

1:48 Vampire FB.5/9 TFace - a masking set for the cabin

This item is neither a kit nor a finished model but an accessory for modelers. It is a set of self-adhesive masking templates from the Czech maker Eduard, cut to the shape of the cabin glazing of a model of the de Havilland Vampire FB.5 and FB.9 in 1:48 scale. The templates are applied to the clear parts, which are then sprayed together with the rest of the airframe, and once the finish is on the masks are removed. The result is sharp, straight transitions between the frames and the glass, which can practically never be achieved by pressing adhesive tape down by hand.

What the designation TFace means

The TFace range is built so that in the package you will find masks for the outer and the inner side of the glazing. There is a practical reason for that: the canopy frames tend to be in the color of the cabin from the inside and in the camouflage of the upper surfaces from the outside. With double-sided masking you spray both sides while the glass stays clean. With single-sided sets the modeler has to solve the inside themselves, and it tends to be a lengthy job with a knife.

The real subject

The de Havilland Vampire was a British jet fighter of the second half of the 1940s with a characteristic short fuselage nacelle and a pair of tail booms. The FB.5 version was a fighter-bomber with a modified wing and armament for attacks on ground targets, and the FB.9 derived from it and was adapted for service in a tropical climate. The Vampire became one of the most widespread jet aircraft of its day and served in foreign air forces long after Britain had withdrawn it from the front line.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who build the Vampire in 1:48 scale and want clean glazing.
• Builders who spray with an airbrush and need sharp edges to the frames.
• Those who want to spray the cabin frames from the inside as well as the outside.
• Beginners, for whom masking a canopy tends to be the first big hurdle.

The package contains masks only. A kit, paints and glue are not part of it.