1:48 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III - Code Letters (for ICM 48331 Kit)

Code letter masks for the Lockheed Hudson Mk.III

This is not an airplane model but code letter masks, that is, the large characters on the sides of the fuselage with which the Royal Air Force marked squadrons and individual machines. The set is cut to fit the Lockheed Hudson Mk.III kit in 1:48 scale from the maker ICM, specifically for the boxing marked 48331. The letters are applied in paint, so no layer and no glossy outline arises on the surface.

The real subject

The Lockheed Hudson was a maritime patrol and light bomber aircraft derived from a twin-engine airliner. The Royal Air Force ordered it before the war and the Hudsons were among the first machines of American manufacture in British service. They served over the Atlantic and over the North Sea, hunting submarines and escorting convoys. The Mk.III version was given more powerful engines. This type has extensive glazing, including a glazed nose, so masking it by hand takes hours.

Usage tips

Lift the masks off the sheet with pointed tweezers and lay them on a clean, degreased and dry surface. Once a mask is on, press the edge down with a wooden stick or a fingernail so that no paint can creep under it. Apply the paint in several thin coats; one heavy coat gets under the edge sooner than three light ones. Take the mask off as soon as the surface is dry to the touch, as after full curing it can pull the edge of the coat away. No residue stays behind, and the material can be moved carefully while it is being placed.

Who the set is for

• modelers who build the ICM 48331 kit in 1:48 scale
• those who want to spray the code letters instead of sticking them on
• builders who are bothered by the outline and the sheen around a decal
• those interested in British maritime aviation

The set is supplied as self-adhesive masks. The base kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.