1:72 A-10 Thunderbolt Hobby Boss

The real subject

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American attack aircraft intended for the direct support of ground units. You will know it at first glance: a straight wing of large span, two engines set high on the sides of the rear fuselage and a twin vertical tail. The pilot sits in an armored bathtub, in the nose there is a seven-barrel 30 mm cannon, and because of it the nose landing gear is offset from the axis of the fuselage. The whole machine is built for a long time over the battlefield and for returning even with marked damage.

What the set solves

The masking elements are cut into shapes that match the parts of the Hobby Boss kit in 1:72 scale. Compared with tape off a roll, which you have to shape yourself, the measuring and the cutting of curves fall away. The manufacturer's instructions give the exact composition of the set.

Building and painting tips

The masks are applied before spraying, not after the paint has dried. The area must be dry, clean and degreased, otherwise the mask does not seat and the paint runs under. Press the edges down along their whole length with a blunt point, ideally a toothpick, and spray several thin coats instead of one heavy one; a heavy coat is drawn in under the edge and the edge is left smeared. Remove the mask as soon as the paint is dry to the touch, and pull it back over itself at an angle, so that it takes nothing of the base with it.

Who it is for

For builders of modern combat vehicles in 1:72 scale who want the color boundaries sharp and do not want to rely on a steady hand. The set is cut for a particular kit, so it may not fit another model. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.