1:72 Mig-15 UTI mask (for Hobby Boss Easy kit)

The real subject

The MiG-15UTI is the two-seat trainer version of the MiG-15 jet fighter. The crew positions are one behind the other under an extended canopy, so the glazing is longer and more broken up than on the single-seat version. The machine served with dozens of air forces and became one of the most widespread trainers of its day.

What the set contains

Masks for covering the glazing, cut to the shape of the individual areas between the frames. That does away with laying up strips of adhesive tape, which at this scale is hard to cut and harder still to make follow the curves. According to the name the masks are cut for the Hobby Boss kit from the Easy range, and so allow for the shape of its canopy. The extent of the package is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

How to work with the masks

• Wash the glazing first and let it dry; a mask does not hold on a greasy surface.
• Transfer the masks with tweezers and press them down so that the edges meet the surface all round.
• Always apply them before spraying, not onto dried paint.
• Apply the paint in thin coats; a heavy coat tears at the edge when the mask is removed.
• Once dry, remove the masks carefully with the tip of a blade or with tweezers.

Who it is for

For modelers who want crisp transitions on the canopy frames and do not want to spend more time on masking than on the rest of the build. It also pays off for anyone building the model in a foreign camouflage who needs to cover the glazing repeatedly. The kit, paints and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.