1:72 Lightning F.2/6 Canopy Mask (Airfix)

The real subject

The English Electric Lightning was a British supersonic interceptor with a very highly swept wing and a slender fuselage with a circular air intake in the nose. The cockpit on it is fairly small and the canopy frames are narrow, so an accurate mask pays off on them more than on large cockpits.

What the set contains

The set is intended for masking the glazing during painting. According to the name it covers the F.2 and F.6 versions and is cut for the Airfix kit in 1:72 scale; the masks need not fit the glazing of another kit.

• self-adhesive masks cut to the shape of the glazing
• 1:72 scale, the Lightning aircraft
• for the F.2 and F.6 versions
• cut for the Airfix kit
• narrow and even frames with no paint bleed

Building and painting tips

Wash and degrease the glazing before applying and let them dry; after that, touch them only by the edges. Apply the masks before spraying and press the edges down with a wooden stick or a toothpick. In 1:72 scale the pieces are small, so carry them with tweezers and lay them from one edge to the other so that they do not ripple. Lay the paint on in several thin coats; if you want the frames in the interior color from inside, spray that first. Take the mask off shortly after the paint has dried, pulling at a slight angle.

Who it is for

The set suits anyone who does not want to cut narrow frames out of masking tape and wants the cockpit canopy clean and free of overspray. The time saved tells mainly on models where the glazing is one of the first steps of the build. This is an accessory: the kit, paints and glue are not part of the package, unless stated otherwise.