Res-IM has made a masking set for the Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire Mk. Vb. The kit has the following markings:

• Spitfire Mk.V, EN821, 243 Sqn, SN-M
• Spitfire Mk.V, BL479, 316 Sqn, SZ-X
• Spitfire Mk.V, AGM, Fighter Command Hq, flown by Wing Commander A.G. Malan

This masking set is die cut vinyl masks and provides the markings wing and fuselage roundels, the fuselage letters for the sides, the tail flashes in two styles and also the EN codes for one set of markings. The masks are very flexible and cut well.

I wanted to give them a try so I grabbed one of the first kits I built (same as required by the masks). I pulled the decals off for the markings and sanded down the plane sides. I sprayed the plane with Sky Type S and let it dry. Here I screwed up. There are no directions with the masks and I didn't check and added the "AGM markings split around the roundel which is wrong. They should be together. I shot the two top colors over it and pulled the masks. The lines are crisp and clear. The marking look great and best of, since they aren't decals, no silvering possible. You could also have done it in reverse and painted the camouflage and then used the other parts of the mask and painted the Sky Type S over the camouflage. modelers choice on this method.

This is a great set and painted on markings look much better than decals when you can get them. Tamiya's kit is wonderful and this set will make it that much better. Highly recommended. My thanks to Res-IM for the chance to review this set.