Four useful bespoke paint mask sets have been released by Dead Design, for Infinity Models’ recent 1/32 Curtiss Helldiver.
If you’ve taken the plunge with the large-scale SB2C-4 Helldiver from Infinity Models (a sub-brand of Czech firm HpH) reviewed by KMW here, you’ll be interested in the new masks from Dead Design. With careful application and weathering, waterslide decals can bring realistic results, but nothing can quite compete with real paint for authentic-looking markings.
Four sets are now available, and the first, VM32 041 (8.27 €), provides self-adhesive vinyl masks for the ‘star and bar’ national insignia, as well as the two different fuselage numbers on Infinity’s decal sheet (‘15’ and ‘207’). Set SM32 007 (9.36 €) offers an interesting method, in that it provides vinyl Optical Illusion masks for the flying control surfaces, ie rudder, ailerons and elevators. The idea is to sand the kit surfaces flat, apply the masks to the painted surface, and airbrush a highly diluted and darkened version of the previous colour. This supposedly offers more visual depth.
Pack UC32 007 (5.49 €) has a pair of vinyl undercarriage bay masks, while VM32 020 (14.46 €) offers a complete array of kabuki tape masks for the cockpit glazing.
All these are available direct at: www.deaddesignmodels.com
