1:48 B-17F US insignias part 2

Masks for the US national insignia B-17F 1:48, part 2 (Omask)

A set of cut self-adhesive masks for spraying the US national insignia onto a model of the B-17F bomber in 1:48 scale. It is not a decal sheet and not a kit — they are stencils that you stick onto the model and then spray the insignia in paint. This is the second part of the set, so treat the range of positions covered as a supplement to the first part and check which insignia you need before you buy.

Why mask instead of using decals

A sprayed marking has no carrier film, so no glossy outline and no so-called silvering appears on the surface, which is what gives decals away above all on matte camouflage. It also removes the problem of getting a large decal over the riveting and panel lines of the fuselage and the wing — on a four-engine bomber these are fairly extensive areas. A sprayed marking will also take heavier weathering: you can run scuffs, exhaust stains and fading across it without fearing that you will dissolve a decal.

Usage tips

The base has to be smooth and dry; press the mask down with a soft wooden stick or with a finger through tissue paper, so that the edges adhere perfectly. A proven trick is to spray the edge of the mask with the base color first — any creeping then stays in the color of the camouflage and you spray the main shade on cleanly. Spray several thin coats, not one heavy one. Remove the mask while the paint is only touch dry, with tweezers and at an angle toward yourself. If you use only part of the set, keep the rest of the sheet on its original backing away from dust.

Who the masks are for

• Builders of American bombers in 1:48 scale
• Modelers who dislike the glossy outline of decals on matte camouflage
• Anyone interested in pronounced weathering across the national insignia
• Those who build several machines and want the insignia rendered the same way

The masks are an accessory for a model. The kit and the paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.