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Paper camouflage masks

by Vince Haworth
4
Comments

I have recently returned to the scale model hobby and I have been experimenting with using paper to make aircraft camouflage masks. This is a quick and easy technique that works for me. Try it out on your next model. The model shown here is an Airfix 1/72 Spitfire 1a.

Picture 1 Start with the wings first. Trace around the outline of the wing in pen.

Picture 2 Draw a border of about 1cm around the wing outline. Refer to your kit instructions and draw in the camouflage lines.

Picture 3 In this example I have done a base coat of earth so I have labelled the mask with the areas that I am masking off.

Picture 4 and 5 Using a sharp Xacto knife cut along the camouflage lines. Start and end the cuts halfway between the wing outline and the border. I have marked the start and end points with a pink dot.

Picture 6 The 'island' in the middle is now cut to make a flap.

  • CM_Spitfire_1
  • CM_Pic_1
  • CM_Pic_2
  • CM_Pic_3
  • CM_Pic_4
  • CM_Pic_5
  • CM_Pic_6

About the Author

About Vince Haworth (Victory)
FROM: ENGLAND - NORTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM


Comments

Grumpyoldman
Very interesting and informative.
NOV 30, 2004 - 12:04 PM
Holdfast
A very interesting and clever technique, thanks for sharing Vince. "You can't have to many Spitfires" Mal
DEC 01, 2004 - 08:18 AM
lopper99
I suppose trying this technique will answer the following question, however learning from anothers experience is much more expedient. I suppose after misting and pressing the mask in place ( a few times if req'd) and allowing for a full drying of the surface to be painted and a partial drying of the paper, it should be good to paint. I'm concerned that if I allow the paper to dry fully, the paper might raise in spots allowing overspray to go under the mask. Ah, I guess I'll just try it. Any comments are appreciated.
JAN 04, 2005 - 12:41 PM
Victory
I usually spray paint soon after misting the paper with water - with the mask still slightly damp. If you spray into the painted area away from the masked edge then you will have no problems. Take a look at some of the wartime pictures of camouflage - they vary a great deal. Some have a hard edge, others soft or a mixture of both. Don't try to get hung up on a 'perfect finish' as the real thing in wartime was far from perfect . Example of wartime camo pics here; LINK
JAN 04, 2005 - 11:26 PM
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Copyright ©2021 by Vince Haworth. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. The views and opinions expressed herein are solely the views and opinions of the authors and/or contributors to this Web site and do not necessarily represent the views and/or opinions of AeroScale, KitMaker Network, or Silver Star Enterrpises. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved. Originally published on: 2004-11-30 00:00:00. Unique Reads: 18773