1:72 Su-22M3K, Su-17UM3 BASIC kabuki mask

The real subject

The Su-17 is a Soviet ground attack and fighter bomber aircraft with variable geometry outer wing panels, which let it use a short runway as well as fly fast at low level. It was exported under the designation Su-22. The version with the letters UM is the two-seat combat trainer, recognizable by the lengthened forward fuselage with two seats in tandem.

What the set contains

This is a masking set cut from kabuki paper in the basic extent. Kabuki is a thin Japanese paper with an adhesive that holds in place but leaves no traces once removed. The paper can be stretched slightly, so it conforms even to a bulged canopy, and the cut edge stays sharp, which shows immediately on a sprayed frame. What exactly the set covers in the basic extent and how many parts it contains is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Usage tips

• Stick the masks on before spraying; on dried paint they make no sense.
• Clean and degrease the area beforehand, as a mask will not hold on grease.
• Press the mask down with a toothpick all the way round, especially in the corners of a frame.
• Spray in thin coats; a thick coat will seep under the edge of the mask.
• Take the mask off while the paint is freshly dried, with tweezers and an angled pull across the edge.
• Keep the leftover pieces of paper, as they come in handy for small masking elsewhere on the model.

Terms of supply

The aircraft model, paints, glue and decals are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.