Eduard now offers a mask set for Cyber Hobby’s recently released Bf-109E-3 kit. The set provides multiple pieces for masking the clear parts and wheels. Like other Eduard mask sets, it is made of Kabuki tape (similar to Tamiya’s masking tape) and provides precut masks for the kit’s windscreen, canopy, and wheels. The masks will adhere well to any flat or curved surface, so masking is easily accomplished and the masks can be removed after paining is completed. A simple instruction sheet is included to guide the masking process. This set should make masking most parts and painting a reasonably quick process with little or no drama.

The masks for the wheel hubs fit nicely. Those for the center section of the canopy also fit well, as do those for the windscreen (with a little trimming along an edge or two). However, the mask pieces for the rear fixed portion of the canopy do not fit well (see photo below) and will require the modeler to either add pieces cut from the tape salvage or cut a new mask to mask the upper portion of that piece accurately.

The masking material is not affected by any brand of hobby paints. Acrylics, enamels, and lacquers can all be sprayed over them with no problem. Just be sure you press the edges uniformly to avoid any under spray and try to spray at a 90˚ angle from the masks. After the paint has had adequate time to dry, lift a corner of each mask with a blade or fine point tweezers and peel it away to leave a sharply defined edge. If you are careful and don’t tear or distort the mask, I have found masks can be placed back on the backing sheet and used on a second model (if you are the type of person who has more than one of the same kit in the works at the same time).

It was easy to align each mask with the surrounding frame on the windshield and canopy and press the edges with a toothpick to assure there would a sharply masked edge. The windscreen mask is provided in two parts to aid application and has a small open area that is to be filled with any brand of liquid mask before painting.

I highly recommend this pre-cut self-adhesive mask set to anyone who wants to speed up painting a 1/32 scale Cyber Hobby Bf-109E-3 kit (with the caveat that a little additional masking will be required as noted above).

My thanks to Eduard for providing the review sample and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review it.