1:72 F4F-4 Wildcat one-sided painting express mask for Arma Hobby

Single-sided mask set Art Scale 1:72 F4F-4 Wildcat

A masking accessory for building a model in 1:72 scale from the Czech manufacturer Art Scale. The set covers the clear areas of the cockpit canopy so that only the frames stay exposed while you spray. The version is single-sided, so the masks cover the outside of the clear part. This is neither a kit nor decals but an accessory that replaces cutting strips of masking tape by hand, whose irregularity always shows on a finished model.

The real subject

The Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat was a single-engine carrier fighter with a radial engine and a rugged all-metal structure. Compared with earlier versions, the F4F-4 brought folding wings, thanks to which more aircraft fitted into the hangar of a carrier, and heavier gun armament in the wings. The cockpit canopy slides and has several regular frames and a fixed rear section. In 1:72 scale those frames are very narrow, so the slightest inaccuracy in masking by hand is conspicuous.

How to use the mask

Wash and degrease the clear part and let it dry. Transfer the masks with tweezers, seat them along the frame and press them down with a soft tool so that the edge seats all around. Trim any overhang with a fresh scalpel blade exactly along the outline of the frame, using minimal pressure. Then spray a thin sealing coat of the base color and only after that the shade itself, ideally in several light passes. Lift the mask once the paint has set but before the coat has cured fully, and pull it slowly back over itself rather than straight up.

Who the set is for

• Builders of carrier fighters in 1:72 scale
• Modelers who want regular, crisp cockpit frames
• Those who paint with an airbrush and want to save time on masking
• Beginners, for whom masking the canopy is the hardest step

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