1:48 AH-1Z Viper mask (for Kitty Hawk, Hobby 2000)

Omask 1:48 AH-1Z Viper — mask set (Kitty Hawk, Hobby 2000)

A set of masking templates from the Czech manufacturer Omask, intended for kits of the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter in 1:48 scale from Kitty Hawk and Hobby 2000. An important note right at the start: it is neither a model nor a kit — you are buying only an accessory for painting. The helicopter kit itself is not included in the package and you have to own it or buy it separately.

The masks are cut precisely to the shapes of the particular kit, so they fit the cockpit glazing without laborious trimming of tape with a knife. The result is sharp, even cockpit framing with no paint creeping under and no scratches on the transparent parts.

The real subject

The Bell AH-1Z Viper is an American attack helicopter of the Marine Corps and the direct successor to the AH-1W SuperCobra. It is told apart from its predecessor above all by the four-blade main rotor of composite materials, markedly reworked avionics and modern sensor equipment. It keeps the classic layout of an attack helicopter with a narrow fuselage and the crew seated one behind the other. The machine is used in support of ground units and is today among the most capable of its category.

Use and tips

Lift the mask carefully off the sheet (pointed tweezers or a scalpel help), lay it on the part and press it down — ideally with tissue or a wooden toothpick, so that the edges adhere perfectly. Before spraying the glazing we recommend laying down the shade of the interior of the framing first and only then the top color of the airframe; the transition then looks natural. Apply the paint with an airbrush in thin coats — the less paint at once, the smaller the risk of it creeping under the edge. Take the mask off while the paint is freshly dry, not after several days.

Who the set is for

• Builders of the AH-1Z Viper 1:48 kit from Kitty Hawk or Hobby 2000
• Modelers who want clean cockpit framing without trimming tape by hand
• Those who work with an airbrush and want sharp transitions
• Modelers who care about saving time when masking glazing

It is not a model. The kit, paints, glue and further accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.