HiQ Cloud Camouflage Mask Set Review

By Michael Benolkin

Review

It is interesting to see the variety of masking solutions there are currently on the market today, many based upon either die-cut vinyl or kabuki (yellow) tape sheets. Some will provide national markings and/or distinctive markings for specific subjects while others will help replicate a camouflage pattern. For those of us that want to have a little fun, there are masks from a company called HiQ in Japan that replicate 'cloud' camouflage. These camouflage patterns are similar to those found on combat vehicles around the world. The cloud patterns are provided on die-cut kabuki tape sheets and they produce these masks in two different sizes:

• Small - Each sheet is roughly 9" x 7.75" and three sheets are included in each set

• Medium - Each sheet is roughly 9" x 7.75" and three sheets are included in each set

I decided to try a set of the medium cloud masks on a Maschinen Krieger project just to see what would happen. The model was given a base coat of light gray, then the first masks were applied in random places.

The next coat was tan, then more masks were added, and the final coat of Russian 4B0 was applied.

This was the first time I've used HiQ masks and while the final result came out nice, I could have easily used more masks and even one or more additional colors. I'll bear that in mind in the next project. You can see the full project here.

I used simple tweezers to apply these masks as well as to remove them. The few areas where the masks didn't touch one another were touched up with a paint brush. Now that I have this experience under my belt, I look forward to other applications.

These masks are available at HobbyZone USA.

My thanks to HobbyZone USA for this review sample.