1:32 Bf 109 E masks for crosses

Crosses on the Emil sprayed through a template

The Bf 109 E, which its crews called the Emil, was the Messerschmitt that carried the main burden of the fighting over the Channel in 1940. You will recognize it by the square wing with built-in MG FF cannons, by the struts under the horizontal tail surface and by the angular canopy. The DB 601 engine with direct fuel injection allowed it abrupt transitions into negative g, which was an appreciable advantage against carbureted opponents.

The package deals with the national insignia, that is the fuselage and wing crosses. A sprayed marking has one fundamental advantage over a decal: it lies directly in the paint, has no carrier membrane underneath it and therefore cannot silver or peel away at the edge of a panel. In 1:32, where every surface detail is visible, that decides the resulting impression a model makes.

Procedure: the light part of the marking is laid down first, then the core of the template is taped over and the dark border is sprayed. Between the coats let the paint really cure, otherwise what is meant to stay will peel off during removal as well. The templates are single-use and it is assumed that once the marking is finished they go into the bin.

A note on the scope: this is an accessory for a model under construction, not a complete marking set for a whole aircraft with tactical numbers and lettering.

What it is good for: anyone building a machine from the summer of 1940 needs insignia with the wide white border that was worn over the Channel. That is exactly when the type got its best known appearance, with yellow parts of the engine cowling and the rudder. In 1:32 the size as well as the position of a marking become a pronounced element of the composition, and a sprayed edge looks incomparably more convincing than a printed one.