1:48 Sikorsky UH-60A, Sikorsky MH-60L Black Hawk, painting mask on yellow kabuki paper ICM

Stencils for the glazing of the Black Hawk 1:48 from Clear Prop Models

Cut masking stencils for models of the Sikorsky UH-60A and MH-60L helicopters in 1:48 scale. The set covers the glazing from the outside and is made of yellow kabuki paper, that is a thin Japanese masking material which follows slightly convex surfaces well and leaves no adhesive on the surface once removed.

The UH-60A and its sibling in the special forces

The Black Hawk grew out of a program to replace the UH-1 helicopter and entered service with the American army at the end of the 1970s. Against the Huey it offered two turboshaft engines, a four-blade main rotor, a wider cabin and a structure designed so that the crew would survive even a hard impact. The MH-60L version was among the equipment of the 160th special operations regiment and made its name in service in Somalia in 1993. Both versions share the basic outline of the fuselage and differ mainly in equipment and mountings, so the masking of the glazing is common to them.

The masking procedure

First wash the transparent parts in lukewarm water with detergent and dry them, so that no greasy film clings to them. Carry the stencils with fine-pointed tweezers and press them down with a toothpick, especially in the corners. Spray the frames first with the shade of the cabin interior and only then with the outer camouflage finish - the transition then looks credible from both sides.

Whom the masking will serve

• Builders of modern American helicopters in 1:48
• Modelers who want clean and straight edges to the frames
• Those interested in special forces machines
• Those who dislike cutting masking tape

The stencils do not make a model on their own - the kit of the Black Hawk has to be obtained separately.