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

The real subject

The F-5F Tiger II is the two-seat variant of the light supersonic F-5E fighter. The second seat called for a longer nose and fuselage and a lengthened canopy; otherwise the machine kept the pair of engines and the small low-mounted wing of its single-seat predecessor. It served for converting pilots onto the type but remained usable in combat.

What the set contains

A sheet of self-adhesive masks cut for a model in 1:72. Which surfaces 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. The masks are cut for a particular kit, but its designation is cut off in the name, so check it before ordering.

Building and painting tips

Masks go onto a model before spraying, onto a surface free of dust and grease. Take the individual pieces off the sheet with tweezers or the tip of a blade, and after applying them press them down with a soft tool so that the edge seats everywhere, because it is exactly there that paint most often creeps under. Spray in several light coats and take the mask off while the paint is fresh; once fully cured there is a risk of lifting the edge of the coat with it. If you varnish the model before masking, let the base dry thoroughly, because a mask will dig into a soft coat and tear it away as it is removed.

Who it is for

The set suits anyone who wants sharp boundaries between areas of color without laboriously cutting masking tape. It also comes into play with a multicolored camouflage coat, where masking is done in several stages. The kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.