1:48 P-40 Warhawk wheel bay plugs (for Eduard)

Omask 1:48 P-40 Warhawk — Landing Gear Bay Masking Plugs

This is not a kit or parts that stay on the model. It is a masking aid: shaped plugs of flexible foam that press into the landing gear bays of the P-40 Warhawk model in 1:48 scale and reliably cover them while spraying the surrounding areas. The shape of the plugs follows the bays of Eduard's P-40 kit, so they fit without laboriously cutting paper or applying tape. Once the paint dries, the plugs are simply pulled out.

How it works

Landing gear bays are among the hardest places on a model to mask — they are deep, intricate, and usually a different color than the surrounding wing surface. The usual solution, wadding or laboriously cut masking tape, takes a lot of time and paint still tends to sneak underneath it. The foam plug goes into the opening whole, holds by its own flexibility, and its edge lines up with the bay's outline, so a clean transition results after spraying. Since it is not glued in, it leaves no adhesive or tape imprint on the model and can be reused on the next build.

Use

• Paint the bays first and let the paint cure thoroughly, only then insert the plugs.
• Press the plug into the bay so it lines up with the surface of the wing or fuselage.
• Spray with the airbrush roughly perpendicular to the surface, not at a sharp angle into the gap — this limits paint bleeding underneath.
• Once the paint dries, carefully remove the plug with tweezers.
• Do not glue or tape the plugs down — they hold on their own and are reusable.

Who the plugs are for

For anyone building the P-40 in 1:48 scale who wants to save time on masking, and for modelers who spray heavier coats of paint and want to be sure the bay interior stays clean. Both a beginner and an experienced builder will appreciate them — using them takes a matter of seconds.

The plugs are not meant to be glued or painted and are not part of the model. Do not insert them into paint that has not fully cured, as the foam could imprint into the finish. Keep out of reach of small children.