1:72 Gotha Go-242A SPACE

The real subject

The Gotha Go 242 was a German transport and assault glider of the Second World War. It had a high-mounted wing and twin tail booms, between which room was left for the cargo compartment with a hinged rear, so the fuselage could be loaded whole and from behind. The A version took off on a jettisonable landing gear and landed on skids. In the air it was towed by a bomber, and after release the pilot had to put it down at the first attempt.

What the set contains

Color three-dimensional elements of the cockpit fittings in 1:72 scale. The elements have a three-dimensional relief and come colored in advance, so they need neither spraying nor hand painting. They replace the flat decals of instrument panels, which on a model always give away that they are only glued-on paper.

How the elements are applied

First cut the element out of the sheet. Moisten only the backing paper beneath it, ideally with a damp sponge and a drop of detergent, and wait until the paper softens. Then lift the element off with tweezers and seat it in place in a thin layer of white PVA glue, which turns clear as it dries; the manufacturer does not recommend cyanoacrylate glue. Do not use a decal softener, as the chemicals would damage the printed surface. Wash and degrease the base before fitting and let the paint dry perfectly. On a curved surface press the element down with a cotton swab from the center outward. It pays to varnish the finished interior with matte varnish, so that the elements blend with their surroundings.

Who it is for

For modelers who want legible instruments in the cockpit without the laborious painting of small dials. The work takes less time than painting and the result bears close inspection. The kit itself, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.