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No, not an attack, thankfully. This was caused by the same premature database platform update that took out LSP and KLP (all of which are hosted on the same server). On the other hand, LSM and Model Ship World were taken out by an attack on the server they were both hosted on. Kev

Thanks Kev. Hopefully not an attempted attack, another instance of the outbreak of modelling site hacking (eg LSM) which seems to have broken out lately.

Hello from the not so sunny part of Northern California! I'm coming back to the hobby after taking the "long pause" when life, school, and then a career took precedent over quiet "me time" building marvelous flying machines. When I came back, I was amazed at how much has changed, and equally at how much has remained the same. I now know what I didn't when I was younger and have been prioritizing time for myself and set aside quiet periods for me to build and learn, learn and build and just generally enjoy a hobby that I always loved. Due to space considerations, I generally build 1/72 aircraft (but really admire the work of those who build the larger scales.) Something that always fascinated me was the idea of actually painting my own markings (at least partially because I don't really like decals, and I like applying them less). Couple that with the fact that I'm frequently drawn to paint schemes that don't really work well as decals, and you can probably do the math. Sooner or later I was going start looking at things like buying a cutting plotter, and toying with actually painting those schemes myself. I have a ton of questions and am hoping to learn from the experience that seems to be gathered here. I am coming to this as basically a blank slate. I haven't purchased any equipment, yet, and hope to gather whatever wisdom I can from those with more experience. I've got a good bit of research under my belt, but don't want to muddy this thread with all that. Hopefully, someone can point me at the right forum to ask such basic questions. Thank you all in advance!

Hello and welcome from the UK.

I'm posting this here as this was suggested as the best place to start asking questions. If this would be better suited to the hardware forum, or somewhere else, I'll be happy to remove this and post it in a different place. I mostly build 1/72 scale planes (out of space considerations). I paint mostly with lacquers and solvent based acrylics (read Tamiya paints and similar brands). I've been actively researching what it would take to start painting my own markings (at least down to things like the 8" registration codes the RAF used to put on the sides of Spitfires and etc.). I know that stencils, thin "no step" lines, and etc. are likely just right out at the scale I work in. I have convinced myself that I'm OK with that limitation. My research has focused mostly on plotter cutters, but I did go, briefly, down the laser engraver rabbit hole. While it feels like the laser route might get me smaller, more accurate details, the limiting factors appear to be cost (the cheapest, capable, entry level machine I've found is significantly more than the most expensive plotter cutter I've looked at, then there's a big step up to the next level of sophistication) and the limitation that the most common masking materials (Oramask 810/810s and Artool Ultra Mask all contain PVC (which isn't good for the laser equipment or the user's health due to off-gassing hydrochloric acid and chlorine during the cutting process) and are therefore right out (leaving only things like masking tape (which pretty much apparently has the tendency to burn) and specialty, laser-safe films that I've not researched. I've pretty much focused on three plotter cutters: Silhouette Cameo 4 (a nice price, but it appears to be a generation behind) Silhouette Cameo 5 (just because it's the newest model, but as far as I can tell the enhancements this model received have little to do with the things I'd want to use it for) Siser Juliet (more than the Cameo 5, but not by that much, and it's resolution appears to be higher on paper) All appear to be capable machines with the Juliet frequently getting the nod for build quality and precision. The two Silhouette models would probably both need a third-party CB09 blade for the fine detail work. The Juliet comes with both the 45 and 60 degree blades, so no extra purchase there. It is my perception that Silhouette Design Studio is the more capable, more mature software, with a wider user base however I think I'm less bothered by that as I have access to and experience with Adobe Illustrator and a couple of other vector packages. So either way I'd likely only be in the machine's software package to queue jobs and things like that. That said, I also get the sense that there are alot of Silhouette and Cricut users on this forum, with Siser machines only showing up occasionally. (Or maybe I just didn't search long enough or with the right keywords.) So with that, lengthy (sorry), background, my questions come down to these: Am I barking up the wrong tree, or otherwise being delusional, thinking that I can get good results at the scale I work at? Is the answer really, save up more and buy a laser engraver or just stick to professionally cut masks? (If it's the laser cutter, are there recommendations on which masking film to use?) And lastly, if there's a feeling that I can do this with a plotter cutter, would you choose any of the machines I've researched? And if so which one? Do you have other suggestions? Thank you all in advance for any advice/input you may have!

Welcome aboard, sir! The best place to ask all your questions is in the Q&A section. Kev

It works Kev, well done!

1/48 Eduard Bf 109F-4 Canopy Mask 1/48 Bf-109f-4 canopy mask for Eduard kit. Before cutting make sure the width is 1.242in and the height is 2.210in. If need to re scale make sure the height and width are correct first. Cheers! File Information Submitter hank1011111 Submitted 04/22/2026 Category Specific Aircraft View File

TBD Canopy Monogram 1_48 Rev 04032026 A canopy mask for the Monogram TBD. I used Oramask to print and mask. Some clean up needed with a tooth pick to remove a little paint, but overall I think it looks fine. Comments welcome! File Information Submitter PinehillJoe Submitted 04/03/2026 Category Canopy Masks View File

Canopies with straight edges are simple, less so those that are curved. For those I think there is no other way than Kev’s method; use Tamiya tape over the canopy, draw edges with a sharp pencil then apply to a flat surface. I usually then scan this, import it into Studio and trace. Then it’s a matter of trial fit, adjust, trial fit ad infinitum till accurate.

I usually end up doing what's been mentioned - take measurements, then start with a base file I might have downloaded from here, a scan or scratch if need be then adjust based on measurements if I've ended up slightly off when applying the mask, I'll correct with masking fluid and continue on or if it's really off I'll cut a corrected masking sheet

A rainy weekend in Northern Virginia, I tried creating a mask for the Monogram 1/48 TDB. I searched the web for other masks, and came up with few, and used those as a starting point. Using machinist rule, I was able to get close to the proper scaling using the JPEGs found on line. Then created cut lines in Studio. Made several test cuts with printer paper, fine tuning the masks. Then test cuts with Oramask 810 and applying, seeing where each needed to be tweaked and fined tuned the individual masks between cuts. Results are pretty good. The kit is next on my list. After I use the file to actually mask and know its good, I'll upload. The Douglas TBD canopy is symmetrical, so I test fit one side then replicated for the other.

One way to get a head start on the process is to lay some Tamiya tape over the canopy, use a sharp pencil to outline the framing, remove the tape and stick it to some paper, and then scan that into your computer. The pencil outlines will naturally be a little rough, but will at least give you a starting point. Kev

View File 1/72 Hasegawa F-104 Canopy and Wheel Masks, .svg Format Uploading in the canopy mask in .svg Format Cheers, Hoops Submitter Hoops Submitted 10/03/2021 Category Canopy Masks  

Thanks @GeneK I ended up using a mix of hasegawa single seater eduard masks and some old fashion masking but it came out ok. That's the Revell TF-104G