1:700 USS South Dakota BB-57 1944 Deck Masking

The real subject

USS South Dakota BB-57 was an American fast battleship that went through combat deployment in the Pacific. Her deck is varied: it combines areas with a laid wooden surface, steel walkways, anchor gear and the bases of the superstructures. It is the transitions between these areas that make the most work during painting, because two different shades meet on them and the boundary between them is supposed to be sharp.

What the masking set is for

The set defines the areas that are to receive a different shade from their surroundings, so you do not have to draw the boundary with a brush or cut it from tape. The parts correspond to the shape of the deck of the model in 1:700 scale and relate to the appearance of the ship in 1944.

Masking and painting tips

Before the masks are applied the surface must be clean, dry and free of grease, and the coat of paint underneath perfectly dry. Lay the masks on and press the edges down carefully so that paint does not creep under them. Spray several thin coats rather than one heavy one, and direct the stream of paint perpendicular to the surface rather than under the edge of the mask. Lift the mask shortly after spraying, while the paint is not yet fully cured, and do so slowly and at a shallow angle to the surface. If paint does creep under after all, make the repair with a fine brush before you apply varnish.

Who it is for

The set suits modelers who want sharp shade transitions on the deck without the lengthy cutting of tape. It is an accessory for a kit, not a complete model; paints and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.