1:72 Mask Douglas A-4B/4P Skyhawk BASIC (AIRF)

The real subject

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was a single-seat light carrier-borne attack aircraft. It was designed so frugally that its small delta wing did not have to fold for stowage below deck, and that kept it light and agile. It served for decades with the US Navy and with other air forces. The designation in the name covers two closely related versions, the A-4B and the A-4P.

What the set is for

The masks cover the areas that are to stay unpainted and leave exposed only what is to be sprayed. Most often these are the frames of the cockpit glazing: the edge between the clear part and the frame then comes out straight and sharp, which is practically impossible to achieve with a brush, and in 1:72 scale that goes double, because the frames are as thin as a hair. The exact list of masked areas is given by the manufacturer in the description of the set. The set is tailored to one specific kit, so the shapes fit its parts.

How to work with the masks

The masks go on before spraying, onto a clean, dry and degreased surface. Lift each piece with tweezers, seat it along the frame and press the edges down firmly so that no paint runs underneath. Spray thin coats and take the mask off shortly after the paint has dried, while the adhesive is not yet holding too firmly. Do not fix the glazing beforehand with a drop of cyanoacrylate; its fumes will fog the clear part.

Who it is for

For modelers who do not want to paint the frames by hand and want the glazing clean even after the whole model has been sprayed. It pays off on canopies with intricate framing, where a hand-painted line would vary in thickness and paint would get onto the clear part. The model, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.