1:48 A5M2b Early National Insignias

National insignia masks 1:48 A5M2b Early (Dead Design)

The set serves as a replacement for decals. It holds self-adhesive stencils die-cut in film, which are stuck onto a sprayed model, sprayed over with paint and taken off once dry. The marking thus comes about directly in the paintwork: it has no thickness of its own, it does not shine and there is no risk of silvered edges with it, which on a matte surface often gives a decal away.

What the Early variant is for

The designation Early refers to the early form of the real subject, that is the Japanese Mitsubishi A5M series carrier fighter monoplane with fixed landing gear and a radial engine. The placement and the size of the markings differed from one period to another, which is why the manufacturer makes separate sets. A sprayed marking moreover makes it possible to work with weathering: the marking can be subtly faded, dusted or partly covered by traces of service. In such a situation a decal behaves differently from the surrounding paint and any work on it tends to show, whereas a sprayed area is sanded, polished and weathered exactly like the rest of the paintwork.

Use step by step

• Spray the base smoothly and let it cure thoroughly, ideally overnight.
• Settle the mask exactly in place and press the edges down all the way round.
• With a marking that has a light border, spray the light base first and then the inner area.
• Apply thin coats from a greater distance, so that the paint does not run under.
• Take the mask off shortly after the paint has dried.
• Finally unify the surface with a varnish in the degree of gloss you want.

Who the set is for

• modelers who would rather spray markings than stick them on
• builders of Japanese carrier equipment in 1:48 scale
• those interested in realistically worn surfaces
• competition and exhibition builds

The package holds only the masks. Paints, varnish and the kit are not included in it.