1:72 F-5E Tiger II painting mask on

The real subject

The F-5E Tiger II is a light supersonic fighter with two engines, a small low-set wing and a slender fuselage. It was created as a simple and cheap machine for allied air forces and spread to dozens of countries. For its agility and its size it also served in air combat training in the adversary role.

What the set contains

A sheet of self-adhesive masks cut for a model in 1:72 scale. Which areas of the model the sheet covers and in what order the masks are applied is described in the manufacturer's instructions; it does not follow from the name of the item. The masks are cut for a particular kit, but its designation is not stated here, so check it before ordering.

Building and painting tips

The masks go onto the model before spraying, onto a surface free of dust and grease. Lift the individual parts off the sheet with tweezers or the tip of a blade and press them down with a soft tool once they are on, so that the edge sits everywhere: that is where the paint most often creeps under. Spray in several light coats and take the mask off while the paint is fresh; once it has fully cured there is a risk of peeling the edge of the finish away with it. If you clear coat the model before masking, let the base dry thoroughly, as a mask bites into a soft coat and pulls it away on removal.

Who it is for

The set suits anyone who wants sharp boundaries between color areas without the slow cutting of masking tape. It also comes into its own on a multicolor camouflage finish, where masking is done in several stages. The kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.