1:72 F-35B painting mask on yellow kabuki pape Tamiya

The real subject

The F-35B is the version of the American fifth-generation combat aircraft meant for short take-off and vertical landing. Behind the cockpit it has a lift fan under hinged doors and at the end of the fuselage an exhaust nozzle that swivels downward. The surface of the aircraft is smooth, the weapons tend to be hidden inside and the whole shape is subordinated to low reflectivity; on a model, therefore, every transition of color and every imperfect edge stands out.

What the set contains

Pre-cut masking stencils of yellow kabuki paper for a model in 1:72 scale, according to the name cut for the Tamiya kit. Which areas the set covers is given in the maker's instructions. Kabuki paper is flexible, can be pressed even into a curve and sticks only slightly, so it leaves no sticky residue once removed.

How to work with the masks

The stencils are applied before spraying, never onto finished paint. Degrease the surface beforehand and let the base coat dry perfectly. Carry the individual pieces with tweezers, lay them on by one edge first and press the rest down with a blunt tool, especially where the stencil bends over an edge. In 1:72 scale the strips are very narrow, so have good light and a magnifier ready. Spray perpendicular and in several thin coats; a heavy application runs under the edge and makes a smeared line. Take the mask off shortly after the paint has set, and pull it at an angle over the edge, not straight upward.

Who it is for

For modelers who do not want to cut masking strips by hand and want sharp transitions of color. Pre-cut stencils save the most tiresome part of the work, and even a modeler without much experience of an airbrush can manage them. The kit, paints and glue are not part of the package, unless stated otherwise.