Black Magic 
Wheel Hub, Camouflage
and Canopy Masks

Cutting Edge

Reviewed by Brett Green

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

Black Magic Masks continue to expand their ever expanding range.

This batch includes masks for RV bands, camouflage schemes, canopies and wheels. The subjects seem especially eclectic, with commercially popular models such as Trumpeter's P-40 and F4U Corsairs, to the downright obscure. Who would have expected to see Black Magic masks for Resitech's 1/72 scale TSR-1, or Fonderie Miniature's H-21? Nice to see the esoteric subjects get a guernsey!

Perhaps the most welcome releases this time around are the canopy masks for Hasegawa's 1/72 scale B-25 and Heinkel He 111, with their complex glasshouse noses.

As discussed in earlier reviews of Black Magic masks, Black Magic masks are appropriate for any moderately experienced modeller who already dabbles with cutting their own masks from tape. A little practice may be required to correctly position the masks, and to avoid stretching the vinyl during application. Try practicing with scrap material before committing the first mask to your model.

I have used Black Magic masks extensively over the years, and they deliver consistently good results because:

1. they fit

2. the adhesive is strong enough that paint does not bleed under the masks

3. the black vinyl is tough enough that it does not easily stretch, but is flexible enough to cope with subtle curves

4. the adhesive does not leave a residue on the clear plastic

With careful handling, the wheel masks should be re-usable. Due to the high risk of paint bleeding, it will be safest to assume that the canopy masks can only be used once.

These sets will be a handy accessory for the large number of modellers who hate masking!

Their latest releases include:
 

Recommended.