1:72 DH Vampire FB.5 Basic mask

de Havilland Vampire FB.5 masking set 1:72 (New Ware, Basic line)

A basic set of self-adhesive masks for a model of the de Havilland Vampire FB.5 aircraft in 1:72 scale. It is not a kit but an aid to painting: the templates cover the areas that are to stay free of paint and leave a sharp edge once they are taken off. At New Ware the Basic line is the leaner variant focused on the essentials; the Expert line offers a wider extent.

The real subject

The Vampire was one of the first British jet aircraft taken into service. Characteristic of it is the short fuselage nacelle of wood and metal construction and the twin-boom tail arrangement. The FB.5 variant was the fighter-bomber version with a reworked wing and landing gear for operation from less prepared surfaces, used by a number of European and overseas operators. In 1:72 scale the cockpit is small and the frames very narrow, so cutting tape is particularly thankless here.

Use

• Separate the pieces from the sheet with a sharp scalpel right at the point where you are going to take them, because in this scale they are easily lost.
• Use tweezers with smooth jaws; toothed tweezers will punch through a tiny mask.
• Lay the mask in the middle of the frame and press outward toward the edges so that no air bubble is trapped under it.
• Spray thinned paint in weak layers, because a heavy layer on a small mask creates a visible step.
• Once the mask is off, check the edges against the light and carefully scrape away any overlap with the tip of a toothpick.

Who the set is for

For modelers in 1:72 scale who want a clean cockpit without an hour spent with a scalpel and tape. The basic extent of the Basic line suits you when the glazing is your main concern and you will mask the rest of the model yourself.

This is a modeling accessory. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.