1:72 North-American P-51B/C Mustang

1:72 North American P-51B/C Mustang - Dead Design masking set

Pre-cut self-adhesive masks for a model of the P-51B or P-51C in 1:72 scale. It is neither a kit nor a part of a model but an accessory for spraying the glazing frames. The extent of the package is stated on the box of the set.

The real subject

The B and C versions are the forms of the Mustang with the fuselage spine carried right back to the tail and with a framed canopy - that is, an entirely different silhouette from the later D version with its bubble canopy. A framed cockpit means more smaller panes, separated by relatively thin but distinct frames: a windscreen with its own frame, side parts and an upper sliding section. For masking it is the most demanding kind of glazing found on single-engine fighters of the period.

Tips for a framed cockpit

The key is order and patience. Start with the windscreen, which sets the orientation of the whole cockpit, and work backward. Offer each mask up dry, line it up against the engraved frame and only then press it home with a toothpick from the middle outward. On the smaller panes it is easy to shift the mask while pressing it home - brace your hand and press straight down rather than at an angle. Before you start spraying, check the whole cockpit against the light: wherever a gap shows through, the paint will run underneath. Lay on thin coats and take the masks off at a shallow angle before the finish has fully cured.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building the P-51B or P-51C in 1:72 scale.
• Those dealing with a framed cockpit of several smaller panes.
• Builders who want even frames without cutting by hand.
• Modelers working with an airbrush.

It is not a kit. The package holds only the masking set; the model, paints and glue are not included in the delivery, unless stated otherwise.