Cheers gents. Since last time, I've been preparing more masks and, since I'm new at working with insignia masks, I'm getting a bit out of sequence in spots.
The underside has been heavily masked up in preparation for the painting of the upper camo. The tape on the radiators is to prevent scuffing of the MSG which I've found to be an issue with frequent placing of the model onto the bench face up. You can also see that I've placed the mask for the SEAC markings and applied the light blue center colour. The mask in this case will stay in place to complete the outer dark blue ring. I could also have done the reverse of this process as described below, had I not applied the MSG already.
For the topsides, an area of white was painted for the squadron markings and aircraft s/n masks. Once cured, I applied the vinyl DG and R masks and sprayed a rough dot of the light blue between these marks and on the fin and wings. The masks on the wings are, in this case, only there to locate the circles. Note also that the red dragon has been masked in preparation for the camo overspray.
Here's a close-up of the rear fuselage for a better view of the letter masks. I'm quite impressed with their sharp cuts and the tackiness of the thin vinyl, which seems to be just right to lay down well whilst not endangering the paint underneath. Now the issue here is that the s/n codes are better done after the camo is applied as I realized after I painted the area white. That's because the numbers have a line through them that separates the various bits of mask and it would be a real b!tch to get all these pieces properly lined up over the white background. Some later pics will make this more evident.
After the light blue dries, the circular mask for the center dot and the rectangular fin flash bit will be applied and the dark blue over sprayed. Then the outer ring mask will be applied and the upper camo sprayed on. Thanks for checking this out guys.