In this review I have 3 Montex Mask sets.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/rev3.jpg
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/rev2.jpg
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/rev1.png
These are courtesy of Montex through Saul Garcia. Montex is a small company formed by modelers for modelers. They have an excellent range of products and cater to aircraft and armour modelers. Montex have also created a range of exceptional resin models. in 1/72 and 1/32 scale. There is a 1/35 Dodge WC-203a if you can find it. The markings come in 1/72, 1/48, 1/32, and 1/24 scale for aircraft and in 1/35, and 1/16 for armour. These markings are further broken down into Mini, just the canopy mask, Maxi Mask, the canopy and major markings masks, and Super, which also includes a 4 view colour placement guide. The Super may also include decals or conversions. Finally as if this wasn't already an exceptional product they have a range of KAM markings which have the Master Barrels included. Can't go wrong with that combo.
------------------------------------
The 3 sets I will review are all 1/32 aircraft, the P-40E, F6F-5 Hellcat, and the F6F-3 Hellcat. Each set comes with options for 2 aircraft. They include canopy masks both inside and out which to me is one of the true selling points. The masks are a thin vinyl, laser cut. They are also made for a particular kit. In my case I did not have the Revel P-40 and used a Hasegawa P-40. The only place where this caused me concern was on the canopy. The masks do not fit my model. All the rest worked fine. I have used Montex masks in the past on my Bf-109's and the masks have been perfect.
F6F-5 Hellcat: The markings for the F6-F5 are both overall Navy Blue. You have 104 of VF-83 from the USS Essex in May 1945, and S73 from VBF-11 in August 1945.It is made for the Hasegawa kit. The markings for 104 match my research. S73 is a bit harder. My understanding of USN markings is that yellow ID's where from training units. This aircraft is from VBF-11 which became VA-12A, which became VA-112. It was formed and retired in NAS Alemeda. I can't find much more on it, but if you have patience, I am sure there is info out there. These are designed for the Hasegawa kit.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/rev2.jpg
F6F-3 Hellcat: The markings for this set include 2 different paint schemes. VF-9, from the USS Essex, were the first to collect the F6F-3 and these aircraft where painted in Non specular Blue Grey over Non Specular Light Grey. From my refs everything is as it should be. I find this scheme very appealing because not many people do the early colours. Next is a tri colour from VF-1 off of the USS Yorktown in June 1944. All markings that are required are present in the masks. Again, these are designed for the Hasegawa kit.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/rev3.jpg
P-40E: These markings give you the choice between Dottie II from the 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Dobodura, New Guinea 1943 and flow by Ellis Wright. This is the one I chose and the only place where I am not sure about is the top shape of the red nose marking. One source shows the top is wavy. Other than that the canopy masks will not fit on the Hasegawa kit. As I said previously these are designed with a particular kit in mind. I knew this but reasoned the important markings would work just fine. And they did. Next is natural metal aircraft of the 2nd Operational Training Unit RAAF. Its very striking and will make an interesting subject. This aircraft flew from Parks NSW Australia. In natural metal with a white tail and red lettering, what's not to like.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/rev1.png
Finally a short picture synopsis of my marking. My abilities should not reflect on this excellent product.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/paint2.jpg
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/paint_semi_final.jpg
A well done how to can be found on Montex's site here
Again my thanks to Montex and to Saul Garcia for the samples.
James
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/rev3.jpg
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/rev2.jpg
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/rev1.png
These are courtesy of Montex through Saul Garcia. Montex is a small company formed by modelers for modelers. They have an excellent range of products and cater to aircraft and armour modelers. Montex have also created a range of exceptional resin models. in 1/72 and 1/32 scale. There is a 1/35 Dodge WC-203a if you can find it. The markings come in 1/72, 1/48, 1/32, and 1/24 scale for aircraft and in 1/35, and 1/16 for armour. These markings are further broken down into Mini, just the canopy mask, Maxi Mask, the canopy and major markings masks, and Super, which also includes a 4 view colour placement guide. The Super may also include decals or conversions. Finally as if this wasn't already an exceptional product they have a range of KAM markings which have the Master Barrels included. Can't go wrong with that combo.
------------------------------------
The 3 sets I will review are all 1/32 aircraft, the P-40E, F6F-5 Hellcat, and the F6F-3 Hellcat. Each set comes with options for 2 aircraft. They include canopy masks both inside and out which to me is one of the true selling points. The masks are a thin vinyl, laser cut. They are also made for a particular kit. In my case I did not have the Revel P-40 and used a Hasegawa P-40. The only place where this caused me concern was on the canopy. The masks do not fit my model. All the rest worked fine. I have used Montex masks in the past on my Bf-109's and the masks have been perfect.
F6F-5 Hellcat: The markings for the F6-F5 are both overall Navy Blue. You have 104 of VF-83 from the USS Essex in May 1945, and S73 from VBF-11 in August 1945.It is made for the Hasegawa kit. The markings for 104 match my research. S73 is a bit harder. My understanding of USN markings is that yellow ID's where from training units. This aircraft is from VBF-11 which became VA-12A, which became VA-112. It was formed and retired in NAS Alemeda. I can't find much more on it, but if you have patience, I am sure there is info out there. These are designed for the Hasegawa kit.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/rev2.jpg
F6F-3 Hellcat: The markings for this set include 2 different paint schemes. VF-9, from the USS Essex, were the first to collect the F6F-3 and these aircraft where painted in Non specular Blue Grey over Non Specular Light Grey. From my refs everything is as it should be. I find this scheme very appealing because not many people do the early colours. Next is a tri colour from VF-1 off of the USS Yorktown in June 1944. All markings that are required are present in the masks. Again, these are designed for the Hasegawa kit.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/rev3.jpg
P-40E: These markings give you the choice between Dottie II from the 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, Dobodura, New Guinea 1943 and flow by Ellis Wright. This is the one I chose and the only place where I am not sure about is the top shape of the red nose marking. One source shows the top is wavy. Other than that the canopy masks will not fit on the Hasegawa kit. As I said previously these are designed with a particular kit in mind. I knew this but reasoned the important markings would work just fine. And they did. Next is natural metal aircraft of the 2nd Operational Training Unit RAAF. Its very striking and will make an interesting subject. This aircraft flew from Parks NSW Australia. In natural metal with a white tail and red lettering, what's not to like.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/rev1.png
Finally a short picture synopsis of my marking. My abilities should not reflect on this excellent product.
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/paint2.jpg
/gallery/albums/userpics/10118/paint_semi_final.jpg
A well done how to can be found on Montex's site here
Again my thanks to Montex and to Saul Garcia for the samples.
James