1:48 F-86A Sabre pre-cut patterns for numbers and lettering

The real subject

The F-86A is the first production version of the American jet fighter with a swept wing; it entered service at the end of the 1940s. The machines carried conspicuous numerals and letters on the fuselage and on the tail surfaces, which on a polished metal surface make up a substantial part of the resulting impression. It is precisely these characters that tend to be the most sensitive place with decals, because their carrier film gives itself away easily on glossy paint.

What the set contains

Pre-cut masks of numerals and letters for a model of the F-86A in 1:48 scale. The individual parts are peeled off the sheet, stuck onto the model and sprayed over with paint, so that the lettering arises directly in the paint. The range of characters and their placement on the model are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Stick the masks onto smooth, perfectly dried and degreased paint, glossy for preference. Press the edges down with a toothpick or a blunt wooden stick, so that the paint does not run under them. Spray perpendicular to the surface and in thin coats, several times rather than once heavily. Take the mask off soon after the paint has set and pull it back over itself at a sharp angle, not straight upwards; then secure the finished lettering with varnish.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers who work with an airbrush and want markings without the glossy edges of a film. It pays off above all on polished metal surfaces, where every transition shows. The package contains only the masks; the model, the paints and the glue are not part of it, unless stated otherwise.