1:48 Wellington Mk. I

Wellington Mk.I painting masks, an Eduard set, 1:48 scale

A set of precisely cut self-adhesive painting masks from the Czech manufacturer Eduard for a model of the British Vickers Wellington Mk.I bomber in 1:48 scale. It is neither a kit nor a model: it is an accessory that makes clean painting of the extensive glazing and of other surfaces easier. The masks stick directly onto the parts, so the intricate framing of the pilot canopy glazing and of the gun turrets gets crisp straight edges without laboriously cutting masking tape. Sets of this type usually include circular masks for the wheel hubs as well.

The real subject

The Vickers Wellington was a British twin-engine bomber of the early Second World War, famous for the geodetic lattice structure of its fuselage, which withstood considerable battle damage. The Mk.I version was an early production variant, and the Wellington as a whole formed the backbone of the night bomber force in the first years of the war. The extensive glazing and the turrets make masks an especially useful accessory on this type.

Tips for using the masks

Carefully lift the mask off the backing with tweezers or the tip of a knife and place it on a dry, degreased surface. Press the edges down carefully, so that paint does not creep under them. Apply the paint in thin layers, ideally with an airbrush, and pull the mask off before the layer hardens completely. On strongly curved shapes, sealing the edge with masking fluid will help.

Who the set is for

• Modelers of the Wellington Mk.I bomber in 1:48 scale
• Those who want crisp and clean framing of the glazing and the turrets
• Builders who want to avoid cutting tape by hand
• Collectors of Eduard accessories

This is a set of painting masks, not a model. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package.