Hobby+Plus Painting Masks 1:35

• King Tiger Henschel Turret GE35008
• Sdkfz.251D GE35033
• Panther G GE35034
• Totenkopf Panzer Insignia GE35035
• Panther Ausf D GE35057

Review by Bill Curtis

Our thanks to Vitaly at Hobby+Plus for supplying our review sample. The full range of products can be seen here: http://photoka.info/t-ussr/index.htm

Click on each image to enlarge or reduce the pictures:

Initial assessment…

I have decided to do a review of all of the paint masking set in one single review as all are similar.

All the sets come with the masks mounted on white backing paper with the actual mask made in a silver material which is shiny as you can see from the photographs. The masks are for set numbers as can be seen from the instruction sheet which show the correct colours to use. For one of the vehicles is a two coloured knight with the relevant parts to apply this. A nice touch is the inclusion of a small decal sheet for the knights, four in fact, for those who are put off spraying these onto the turret.

The Panther D has a masking sheet with numbers and the panther mask. Also included is a decal sheet with the numbers and the panthers.

The Panther G has only got number masks and this is the smallest of all the sets.

The halftrack Sdkfz 251 Ausf D has numbers, Balkan crosses and unit insignia masks and also a small decal sheet with black 3 digit numbers and the unit insignia.

The last set comprises three sheets two of which are masks for numbers, unit insignia, the Roman numeral II and the Balkan cross. Also, as with most of the other sets, is included a decal sheet of the units skull device, most with a backing colour of either sand or grey.

Accuracy…

The accuracy of most of the masks is good but I do think the Totenkopf Roman II and some of the skull insignia are too large; this goes for the decal sheet skull insignia as well.

Quality…

The quality of the masks are very good and are easy to use and of the four I used I only had a little creep of paint one where I had not checked the mask had been pressed fully down. I think these masks can be reused as the adhesive was still good when I tried it on another model.

Instructions…

The instructions come on two sheets one of which has the graphics and photographs with the decal application details while the other is a generic instruction for applying the masking

Decals…

The decals look to be thin and in good register with good colour but as yet I have not used them.

Conclusions…

Well having followed the instructions I ended up with some very nice insignia which were easy to apply and with care give good results. I think some of the masks and decals are oversized, but there are enough on both sheets to not be a problem if you are only doing a small number of vehicles with the same markings.

Highly recommended

SMN Quick Summary rating out of 5

Bill C.