produkt-OMK57081

Masks for the DFS 230 glider, 1:72 scale

This is a masking set, not a model. It contains shaped cut masks for covering the glazing during painting. On the DFS 230 that is a harder job than on an ordinary aircraft: the cockpit is not just a cover over a seat but the glazed front section of the whole fuselage with a dense grid of frames. Cutting the tape by hand would take longer here than the build itself and the edges would not come out the same. A pre-cut mask sits on the shape of the part and has a sharp edge along its whole length.

The real subject

The DFS 230 was a German assault glider. It had no engine and was towed to the target by a tug aircraft, from which it released and then glided silently to the landing spot. Silence and precision were exactly the point of it: to put a group of soldiers straight onto the target, without the dispersal that comes with a parachute drop. Its best-known use was against the Belgian fortress of Eben Emael in 1940.

Usage tips

• Wash the glazing first in lukewarm water with detergent and let it dry, because grease from your fingers makes the mask hold worse.
• Move the mask with tweezers or a damp wooden stick, not with a finger.
• Press the edges down with a blunt toothpick so that no air pocket is left anywhere.
• Spray at a right angle and in thin coats; spraying at an angle gets under the edge.
• Take the masks off while the paint is fresh and pull them back at a sharp angle.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers who build German airborne equipment and want clean glazing frames without the slow work of cutting tape. The set is cut to the shape of the parts of particular kits, so check before you buy that it matches yours.

It is not a model. A kit, paints and clear coat are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.