1:72 DFS 230 - pro modely RS models

DFS 230 1:72 — Peewit

A set of die-cut self-adhesive masks in 1:72 scale from the Czech company Peewit. It is not an aircraft model but an add-on for painting a finished kit. The masks are punched out of thin masking tape, so they can be laid onto rounded surfaces and peeled off after spraying without leaving any adhesive behind. The manufacturer designed it for the DFS 230 kits from RS models.

What the set is for

Cutting the masking for the canopy frames out of tape by hand is the most time-consuming part of painting an aircraft model, and a single inaccurate cut ruins the whole canopy. A pre-punched set does away with that work: the pieces are simply peeled off the carrier sheet and seated in place.

The real subject

The DFS 230 was a German assault glider, that is a machine without an engine, towed by a transport aircraft and meant to land a party of soldiers straight onto the objective. Best known is its use in 1940 against the Belgian fortress of Eben-Emael, where landing the gliders on the fortifications themselves decided its quick fall. The cabin of the glider is a fabric-covered tube frame with large glazed areas on either side of the pilot's position, so masking takes more work than you would expect on such a simple machine.

Usage tips

• Lift the mask with tweezers and keep your fingers off the adhesive side
• Press the edges down with a toothpick so that paint does not creep under them
• Spray the glazing in the frame color first, then the camouflage
• Remove the mask once the paint has set, not after it has cured

Who the set is for

For modelers who want cleanly bounded glazing frames, and for anyone who wants to save themselves the tedious cutting of tape. The result does not depend on a steady hand, so the set will help beginners as well.

This is an add-on for painting, not a kit. The base kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.