1:48 P-47D Thunderbolt Razorback Double-Sided Express Fit Mask for MiniArt Kit

Double-sided masks for the razorback P-47D, 1:48 scale

This is a masking set, not a model. The double-sided version means that the package holds masks not only for the outside but also for the inside of the glazing. On the real aircraft the canopy frame was painted on both sides, in a different shade inside than outside. If you mask only from the outside, the inner side of the frame stays clear and it shows when you look into the cockpit. On the razorback version this is particularly noticeable, because the cockpit is enclosed in the fuselage and the glazing has a pronounced fixed frame.

The real subject

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was an American single-seat fighter powered by an air-cooled twin-row eighteen-cylinder radial engine with a turbocharger in the rear fuselage. The name razorback came to be used for the early version with a fixed spine behind the cockpit, which on later machines was replaced by a bubble canopy with all-round vision. The difference between the two versions is unmistakable on a model.

Usage tips

• Wash the glazing in lukewarm water with detergent and let it dry.
• Mask and spray the inside first and only then the outside.
• Move the mask with tweezers or a damp wooden stick and press the edges down with a blunt toothpick.
• Spray at a right angle and in thin coats; spraying at an angle gets under the edge.
• Take the masks off while the paint is fresh and pull them back at a sharp angle.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers who want the frame painted correctly on the inside as well. The masks are cut to the shape of the parts of a particular kit, so they fit without further trimming. Check before you buy that they match yours.

It is not a model. A kit, paints and clear coat are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.