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Luftwaffe
Large-Scale Cutting Edge
ID Numbers, Spinner Spirals and National Markings
Reviewed by Brett Green
1/32
and 1/24 scale aircraft have been largely by-passed during the boom in model
accessories over the last decade. Decal markings for these big aircraft have
been particularly scarce despite their ongoing popularity and frequent
re-releases of old kits. Cutting
Edge now come to the rescue with the release of a selection of masking products
for 1/32 and 1/24 scale aircraft in the “Black Magic” range. These
products include numbers for Luftwaffe fighters, spinner spirals for Focke-Wulf
190 and Bf 109, and German national markings. Combining these products will
offer an amazing choice of markings, especially for Luftwaffe fighters. Each set
comprises between one and three sheets of self-adhesive die cut black vinyl and
helpful instructions. Details
of the 1/32 and 1/24 scale masks sent for review are summarised in the table
below:
More
Black Magic masks are available in these scales including canopy masks, wheel
hub masks and some more specific national marking sets (for Me 262 and Bf 109).
Details of the additional sets may be found by searching Meteor
Productions’ website. The
Luftwaffe fighter numbers are particularly clever. Each set offers two 8 ˝” x
11” black vinyl sheets of numbers in most of the styles commonly seen on
Luftwaffe fighters. Gruppe Bar markings are supplied to suit II and III Gruppe
aircraft, but IV Gruppe squiggles are not included. Kommandeurs' Chevrons are
not included in these sets. The first sheet looks the same as the second until
closer inspection. The numbers on the second sheet are slightly larger than
those on the first, and may be used as an outline to the thinner numbers. This method of application permits the modeller to choose
any colour for the solid number and for the outline. It will also allow the
colour of the number to be matched exactly with other painted tactical markings. A
more detailed examination of these Luftwaffe fighter numbers, including an
illustrated guide to their application, is made in “Painting
Aircraft Markings Using Stencil Masks” – a new Reference Feature
here on HyperScale. In summary though, the masks produce a very high quality
result with a little planning and extra care. The
spinner spirals are a very nice idea too. The 1/32 scale set includes a range of
spiral widths and styles for the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-D;
while the 1/24 scale set supplies spiralschnauz for the Focke-Wulf Fw 190A only.
The colour of the spiral is painted first, then the appropriate style of spiral
mask is applied. The German national markings are big sets with three sheets in each scale. They are officially labelled as suitable for Focke-Wulf Fw 190, but will also be appropriate for a wide range of additional aircraft including the Bf 109, Bf 110, Me 262 and more. Numerous styles of fuselage, upper wing and lower wing crosses are supplied in skeleton and solid formats. A good Hakenkreuz (swastika) selection is also supplied.
These
masks are a godsend for large-scale modellers. They
offer unprecedented choice to modellers of 1/24 and 1/32 scale aircraft.
Although they do require some planning and extra work, with care, the quality of
the result is as good as the best available decals but without the risk of
visible decal film or silvering. Modellers
with some masking experience should have little trouble using these Black Magic
products, but it may be advisable to practice on scrap material before
committing the technique to a model. I
hope that Cutting Edge also release chevrons and alternate Gruppe markings in
these scales; and similar products in 1/48 scale. Highly
recommended for all 1/32 and 1/24 scale modellers. Thanks to Meteor Productions for the review samples Cutting Edge Modelworks Resin Conversion Kits are available at Meteor Productions Website Review and Images Copyright © 2000 by Brett
Green
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