1:72 OV-10D+ Bronco

1:72 OV-10D+ Bronco mask set

A set of masking parts in 1:72 scale for a model of the North American Rockwell OV-10D+ Bronco observation and light attack aircraft, from the Czech maker Eduard. It is neither a model nor a kit but an accessory meant for painting the glazed areas and the other places that should have a crisp edge.

The real subject

The Bronco came about in the 1960s as a machine for close support of ground troops, reconnaissance and fire direction. Its twin-boom layout with a high-mounted tail, a glazed cockpit with an excellent view downward and a pair of turboprop engines gave it the ability to operate from short and unpaved strips. The OV-10D version was adapted for night observation and received a lengthened nose with a sensor, and the OV-10D+ standard brought further changes to the airframe and the equipment. With the US Marine Corps, aircraft in this form served until the 1990s. Thanks to its distinctive shape and extensive glazing the Bronco is easy to recognize on a model, and the cleanliness of the canopy framing decides a great deal about the result.

How to use the set

The parts transfer from the sheet onto the model, seat on the glazing, and the surrounding areas are then sprayed in the usual way. Take grease and dust off the surface first, or the mask will not sit down. Meter the paint out in thin coats and remove the mask before it has fully hardened, and the edge will stay crisp. In such a small scale it pays to work with fine-tipped tweezers and to press the masks down in the curves with a toothpick.

Who the set is for

• Builders of the Bronco in 1:72 scale
• Modelers for whom masking with tape in a small scale takes too long
• Those who want a crisp division between the frame and the cockpit glass
• Collectors who add further sets to a model