Paint Masks from Paradise: Episode 171

Decals can be the moment a build turns from fun to stressful, and we have all watched a perfect marking fold onto itself or silver at the worst possible time. That’s why we were excited to finally sit down with John Ferdico from Hawaiian Air Depot, a Hawaii-based aftermarket brand with a smart twist: instead of shipping pre-cut masks, John sells digital downloads (SVG and DXF) so you can cut your own paint masks at home with a Cricut, Silhouette Cameo, or similar cutter.

We get into the real nuts and bolts of paint masking for scale models: how John researches markings using factory drawings and period photos, how he corrects photo distortion to nail proportions, and why his sets include kit-specific placement masks that align to panel lines so you can hit the right location without guesswork. We also talk materials (Oramask, tape, vinyl), what cutters do best, and where the limits still are especially in 1/72 scale and with multi-color nose art.

Outside the interview, we catch up on fall modeling season, bench time reality, and a flood of listener mail about contest judging and the bigger question behind it: when does chasing trophies start steering your hobby in the wrong direction? We also share updates on Chattanooga ModelCon and Eagle Quest planning, plus a quick round of faves and yawns from recent releases and new manufacturers.

Bonus: Hawaiian Air Depot offers 10% off through October 31 with code mojo dojo, and we’ll point you to a free download so you can test the workflow if you already have a cutter.

If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a modeling friend, and leave us a rating and review so more builders can find us.

Hawaiian Air Depot
Chattanooga ModelCon/EagleQuest

Chattanooga ModelCon/EagleQuest 2027 Video Series
Intro Video
Feature Video #1
Feature Video #2

Model Paint Solutions
Your source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes, Mixing supplies, and great advice!

SQUADRON
Adding to the stash since 1968

Model Podcasts
Please check out the other pods in the modelsphere!

KitMasx
Custom Canopy Masks for the Scale Modeler.

Bases By Bill
Your source for custom display bases, laser engraved airfield and carrier decks.

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