Wingman, Merlin, et al.,
Well done proving that masks were used. Dana Bell documents this in some of his work.
That said, USAAC/USAAF regs were for feathered edge, though often a tight spray. The RAF used the masks, though sometimes RAF allowed soft-edge. RAF had these standard patterns--appears the same be it on a Spitfire, a P-40, Hurricane, etc.,
THAT said, the RAF had "mirror" and "reverse" schemes--green where brown would be, or reversing the masks. You RAF experts, do I recall this correctly?
THAT said, do not always trust artists' works. Nowadays, many do a great deal of research, but sometimes they mess up. The AVG P-40Bs, so far as I've found, were hard-edged.
If you use the clear lenes, I suggest you work with them in a deep box. Those small, slippery lil'
will drive you nuts! Ask me how I know?
. This stuff is hard to cut with a pair of scissors, I used a small pair of scissors and that seemed to work better. When you lay it down on the area you want to mask, flatten it out by pushing stright down. I then took a fine felt tipped pen and drew out where I wanted to cut, a pencil does not work. Before proceeding to cut, make sure it is nice and tight, otherwise it will bunch up on you. This is the first time I cut a mask out while it was on the model. I didn't like doing it. When I was done applying the ModelMaster[acryllic] Dark Earth I noticed that in some areas the mask lifted a little. I'll have to do some retouching later on. I think I'll stick with good old Tamiya tape for future masking projects.
. Hasesgawa gives you the option of shaving off the molded on lights on the wings and tail and replacing them with clear parts. I'll probably do that last. It doesn't look too bad, I probably won't be entering this one in a contest. So if anyone else ou there has tried this kind of mask, let us know how you faired, thanks for looking, Wingman out.
