1:32 Ki-45 Toryu Control Surfaces

Control surface masking set for the Ki-45 Toryu in 1:32 scale from Dead Design

This set does not belong to cockpit masking. The masks are meant for the rudder, the ailerons and the elevator, that is, for the surfaces the aircraft had covered with fabric. Once the masks are applied and lightly oversprayed in a different shade, the surface takes on the impression of ribs with slack covering between them, without your having to engrave or fill the part. How many masks the sheet holds and how it is laid out is given on the packaging.

A sharp or a soft edge

The result lives and dies by how heavily you spray. Press the mask down firmly and spray square on and you get a sharp division that looks hard on fabric. A soft transition looks more natural. You achieve that by pressing the mask down only lightly around the perimeter, holding the airbrush further from the surface and laying on a very thin veil of paint. In 1:32 scale the area is large enough for the difference between the two approaches to be tried out in advance on an offcut of plastic.

The order of the shades

First lay the base color over the whole area and let it dry thoroughly. Only then come the masks and over them the shading shade, usually the base color slightly darkened or lightened, not a contrasting one. The aim is a hint, not a striped pattern. Once the masks are lifted, a thin clear coat brings the whole effect together and at the same time lowers the risk of the texture smearing when the panel lines are brought out later.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building the Ki-45 Toryu in the large 1:32 scale.
• Those who want to set the fabric control surfaces off from the metal airframe with paint rather than by working the part mechanically.
• More advanced builders used to working with an airbrush and thin coats.

The set is an accessory for painting a model. The model, paints and glue are not included in the package.