1:72 Armstrong Whitley Mk.VII mask (for Airfix)

Masks for the Whitley Mk.VII in 1:72 scale

A masking set for a model of the British Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk.VII bomber in 1:72 scale. According to its name it is cut for the Airfix kit, so the shapes fit its glazing with no further adjustment. It is not a kit, nor an accessory that would stay on the model permanently; it is an aid for spraying.

The real subject

The Whitley was a British twin-engine bomber, one of those that carried the night raids at the beginning of the Second World War. It was powered by a pair of Merlin V12 engines, and in flight it was unmistakable thanks to the typical nose-down attitude that followed from the angle at which the wing was set. The Mk.VII version served on coastal patrol and carried radar for finding surface targets.

How to use the masks

• Wash and degrease the glazing first, as a mask will not seat on a greasy surface.
• Apply the pieces to a clean, dry surface before spraying, never after the paint has dried.
• Press the edges of the mask down with a toothpick, so that paint cannot get underneath them.
• Spray the paint in thin coats, as a heavy coat leaves a ridge at the edge of the mask.
• Lift the mask off while the paint is not yet fully cured, with the point of a knife or with tweezers.

Who the set is for

For anyone who is building the Whitley in 1:72 scale and does not want to lay masking tape on dozens of small glazing panes by hand. The Whitley has extensive glazing of the cockpit and of the gun positions, so hand masking takes up a substantial part of the build. The extent of the set and the assignment of the individual pieces is stated by the manufacturer in the enclosed instructions.

The package holds only the masking pieces. The model, paints and glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.