Kit

The 1/48 Eduard canopy masks kit for the ICM DO 217N-1 contains one sheet of thin die-cut masking tape. There are 31 window masks and additional masks for the wheels. The single-page instruction guide is easy to follow. Each clear kit piece is identified (F1, F2 , F5 & F7) and left- and right-sided masks are mapped to their corresponding position on the diagram for that part. Note: clear kit parts which are not indicated on the masking diagram are not intended to be painted. Masks for the wheels are also clearly identified (D20, D21 and D4).

Reviewer’s Comments

The ICM Dornier 217N-1 kit has a lot of canopy. Luckily, Eduard has produced an excellent mask set to assist the model builder with achieving nicely painted glass and an impressive look for your plane.

The die cuts are extremely precise. Each panel lifted off cleanly with no tears, no tugging and no tape strands. Each mask fit exactly and there was no need for any additional trimming.

The masking tape is thin and must be carefully applied. Although there are no direct instructions provided, the model builder can find ample information on the Internet on how to use an apply canopy masks.

Generally, you will want to use a sharp, clean hobby knife blade to gently lift a mask, position it and then lightly burnish the tape into to place. The key to a successful outcome lies in the painting. There are many tutorials available on the Internet which the model build can consult, but painting (airbrushing is best) should be done with several light coats. After painting the review kit sample, there was no evidence of paint bleed (see photo) and removing the tape did not result in any paint lifting away from the canopy frame.

The tire masks are designed to mask the wheels, not the tires. This means the model builder must paint wheels first, mask them, and then spray the tires. If you are a builder who is used to painting tires black first and then working on the wheels, you will discover that the masks are useless.

Overall, this is a superb masking set. It is a great asset to the ICM DO 217N-1 kit.

Thank you very much to Eduard for the honor of reviewing this very nice kit and thank you to IPMS for the opportunity.