1:48 F-18 C Hornet - EXPERT Kabuki Masks Set (for Eduard 11195 Kit)

The real subject

The F/A-18C Hornet is the single-seat version of the American carrier-borne multirole aircraft; the two-seat version carries the letter D in its designation. The Hornet serves with the Navy and with the Marine Corps and carries a large number of colored details on the canopy, on the radar cover and on the flaps, so there is plenty to mask on a model.

What the set contains

Masking pieces cut to shape; the version carries the designation EXPERT. The material is kabuki paper, that is a thin paper tape with a mild adhesive that can be pressed even into curved surfaces and that usually leaves no residue when it is lifted off. The pieces are cut for one particular kit, which the kit number 11195 names directly; they therefore do not have to fit another release of the model. The exact extent of the pieces is stated in the manufacturer's instructions.

How to work with the masks

The masks are stuck to a clean, dry and degreased surface before spraying. Lift a piece with the point of a scalpel, carry it over with tweezers and press the edges down carefully; it is under an edge that has not been pressed down that the paint seeps. Spray in thin coats, as a heavy coat leaves a ridge at the edge of the mask that stays visible even after the mask is lifted off. Lift the mask off as soon as the paint has become tacky, not after it has cured completely, and peel it at an angle to the surface rather than straight up.

Who it is for

For modelers who want a sharp boundary between colors without laboriously cutting tape. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.