1:32 First Sergeant B-24D Liberator Assembly Ship Camo And Insignia Paint Mask Set

The real subject

Assembly ships were worn-out bombers withdrawn from combat flights that circled above their base and served as a reference point around which the formation lined up. So that crews would recognize them even in haze and among dozens of identically finished machines, they were given extremely conspicuous finishes: stripes, checkerboards, discs and bands in sharp color contrasts across the whole fuselage and the wings. This particular machine is a four-engine B-24D Liberator marked First Sergeant, and its finish belongs among the most unmissable that can be built on a bomber.

What the set contains

The set contains stencils for spraying the whole pattern of the finish and, with them, stencils for the national insignia, all cut for a model in 1:32 scale. A pattern made up of regular stripes or fields is very hard to do with hand-cut tape, because every inaccuracy in the spacing shows immediately over a large area. Ready-made stencils get around that work. The scope of the set and the layout of the individual elements are given in the enclosed instructions.

Building and painting tips

First spray the lighter of the shades over the whole area and let it cure properly, not merely dry. Only then stick the stencils on and spray the darker shade. Apply the paint in several light coats so that it does not get under the edge. Pull the stencil away slowly and back over itself as soon as the paint has set. The insignia come last, after the pattern is finished.

Who it is for

For builders of American bombers who want a machine in their display case that nobody else will have. The model, the paints and the varnish are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.