Scale Plastic & Rail

April Releases from Scale Precision Masks

Scale Precision
Paint Masks in 1/32 Scale

• P-51D 'Old Crow' Green  -  US$10.50
• P-51D 'Old Crow' Silver  -  US$10.50
• USAAF Insignia Aug 1943-1947 45"-60" star diameter  -  US$10.50
• Luftwaffe Balkenkreuz 630mm  -  US$10.50

Ok – it is confession time folks! I am already a convert to the use of paint masks for aircraft markings as I believe there is really no substitute for paint replicating full scale painted marks. How many models have you made that have been spoiled, after taking infinitesimal care of surface preparation for your decals, only to find the horror which goes by the  name of silvering? I have used homemade versions for Balkenkreuz plus commercially available Montex and Miracle Masks and they are both excellent.

A month or so ago, my colleague, Robin Jenkins, reviewed some masks in 1/32 and 1/24 scale for a P-51D and Bf109G-6 respectively, sent by an American company that was new to us – Scale Precision Paint Masks www.scaleprecision.com  See the review here.

I know Robin has been using home-made paint masks for a number of years and is as near an expert on the subject as anyone could be, and particularly liked the quality of the Scale Precision product. However, he was critical of the fact there were no colour profiles or even line drawings of the aircraft with their camouflage colours and paint references – something that always accompanies masks by other manufacturers.

Sacle Precisions have sent along four sets for review – all in 1/32 Scale:

Luftwaffe Balkenkreuz

USAAF Insignia 1943-1947

P-51D 'Old Crow' Silver/P51-D 'Old Crow' Green

Scale Precision has obviously listened to the criticism and I am pleased to report 'they are getting there'. The latest sets sent to us for review do include both line drawings and a colour profile of the subject aircraft – in these cases it is the P-51D 'Old Crow' Silver and the P-51D 'Old Crow' Green.

The reason I mentioned that Scale Precision were 'getting there' was because, although  improvements have been made, there are still certain colour references not shown on the P-51D sets. For example, the instructions say to paint the checkerboard design red and yellow. For authenticity, what red and what yellow – FS numbers would be great. What colour do you paint the code numbers on the fin/rudder. Confirmation would be good. OK, there are many modellers out there who are very knowledgeable on the subject and have excellent reference material - but others may have neither. I have always been guided that working to the weakest link is the best principle. I class myself in the weakest link category – as well as not being the most knowledgeable, I also have a colour identification problem as well.

The only colour reference I could find was in the USAAF Insignia set which referred to the shade of white on the upper surfaces. I concede that colour references in the USAAF Insignia pack and the Luftwaffe Balkenzreuz pack are virtually self-explanatory ie Insignia Blue, but the P-51D sets are lacking.

So what do we think?
Compared to a year ago there have been excellent improvements in these sets with the presentation of line drawings, colour profiles, photographic evidence and general reference material. We thank Scale Precision for their attention to detail but perhaps the addition of colour call out references, where applicable, could be included in later editions? Love the masks though!

Highly Recommended

Our thanks to Scale Precision for the sample sets. Their products can be purchased direct from www.scaleprecision.com

Peter Buckingham

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