1:72 CH-37 Mojave MASK

Masks 1:72 for the CH-37 Mojave helicopter

A set of self-adhesive, pre-cut masks in 1:72 scale for a model of the American Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave heavy transport helicopter. The set contains no model parts; it is purely an aid for painting: the masks are stuck onto the glazing, sprayed over with paint and removed once dry, which gives precise and straight frames.

Why masking is demanding on this machine

The Mojave belonged to the generation of large piston-engine helicopters of the 1950s and had a bulky front section with extensively glazed crew accommodation. That means many individual panes with dense framing, which in the small 1:72 scale has to be masked piece by piece. Cutting twenty or more small rectangles of tape by hand can easily take a whole evening, and the individual frames then do not come out the same width. A pre-cut mask removes that part of the work completely.

How to work with the masks

First free the glazing of grease and dust. Pick the pieces up with tweezers and seat them at the first attempt, without sliding them over the surface. Press the edges down with a toothpick; on small panes light pressure is enough. Spray the paint straight on and thinly; with a dense grid of frames it pays to apply the interior shade first and only then, once dry, the exterior color. Lift the masks off with tweezers at a sharp angle; on the smallest pieces the point of a toothpick helps. Keep the rest of the sheet in a bag away from dust.

Who the set is for

• Builders of helicopters in 1:72 scale
• Anyone interested in American transport machines of the 1950s
• Modelers who do not want to spend an evening cutting tape
• Those who want uniform frames on extensive glazing

The package contains only masks. The model, paints and glue are not part of it, unless stated otherwise.