Cockpit Masking

[Archimedes]

I'm keen to try new ways of masking cockpits.

 

Specifically: how do you mask an open cockpit aircraft (WWI and between wars types) ensuring that you don't have to do a bunch of remedial work once you remove the masking. At present I fill the cockpit with wet tissue until it reaches the sides and then leave it to dry before painting the exterior. This is how I have masked the two Tiger Moth cockpits I have done so far. I leave this to dry, paint the exterior and then re-wet the tissue and remove it with tweezers. IT is tedious and does work but something always catches and I have remedial work to do inside the cockpit.  Any suggestions as to other methods?

 

Kind regards,

Paul

[LSP_Kevin]

A piece of soft foam is often a good solution - just cut it roughly to shape and size, and use it to plug up the hole. Generally I'll just use tape when the geometry of the opening allows, but the sponge can work well otherwise. You just have to be careful with it spilling over onto the fuselage sides and masking those areas slightly as well.

 

Kev

[dennismcc]

I use foam as well, works for me, and like Kev where possible I add some Tamiya tape just to make sure.

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Iain]

Yup - another one for foam blocks.

 

We get pre-cut blocks of the stuff at work when a new server arrives - they go straight in my 'useful stuff for modelling' file... 

 

Some applications need tape as well - but the foam does an excellent job - and is quick and easy.

 

Also great to dip in paint and use to add chipping effects of course.

 

Iain

[Archimedes]

On 1/15/2025 at 3:50 PM, Archimedes said:

I'm keen to try new ways of masking cockpits.

 

Specifically: how do you mask an open cockpit aircraft (WWI and between wars types) ensuring that you don't have to do a bunch of remedial work once you remove the masking. At present I fill the cockpit with wet tissue until it reaches the sides and then leave it to dry before painting the exterior. This is how I have masked the two Tiger Moth cockpits I have done so far. I leave this to dry, paint the exterior and then re-wet the tissue and remove it with tweezers. IT is tedious and does work but something always catches and I have remedial work to do inside the cockpit.  Any suggestions as to other methods?

 

Kind regards,

Paul

 

On 1/15/2025 at 4:39 PM, LSP_Kevin said:

A piece of soft foam is often a good solution - just cut it roughly to shape and size, and use it to plug up the hole. Generally I'll just use tape when the geometry of the opening allows, but the sponge can work well otherwise. You just have to be careful with it spilling over onto the fuselage sides and masking those areas slightly as well.

 

Kev

 

On 1/16/2025 at 5:54 AM, Iain said:

Yup - another one for foam blocks.

 

We get pre-cut blocks of the stuff at work when a new server arrives - they go straight in my 'useful stuff for modelling' file... 

 

Some applications need tape as well - but the foam does an excellent job - and is quick and easy.

 

Also great to dip in paint and use to add chipping effects of course.

 

Iain

Thank you guys, I'll give that a go! Much obliged.

 

Kind regards,

Paul