1:48 Ki-51 Sonia

The real subject

The Mitsubishi Ki-51, intended by the Japanese for direct support of ground units and for reconnaissance, is a two-seat single-engine aircraft with a low wing and fixed landing gear in aerodynamic fairings. The Allies gave it the code name Sonia. It flew from the start of the 1940s to the end of the war, was undemanding both in maintenance and in the length of runway it needed and stood up well to operation from field airstrips.

What the set is for

A masking set saves both time and nerves during painting. The individual masks are stuck onto the places that are to stay in another shade or free of paint, the model is sprayed and the masks are lifted off once it is dry. On aircraft models this is most often how the framing of the glazed canopy and the landing gear wheels are handled, where masking by hand with tape is slow and the edges never come out as sharp.

How to work with it

• The surface under the mask has to be clean, dry and degreased, otherwise the paint creeps under it.
• Lift the mask off the backing with tweezers and lay it on lightly at first, until it sits correctly.
• Press the edges of the mask down with a toothpick or a blunt tip so that they seat everywhere.
• Spray in thin coats and from the edge of the mask toward the middle, not against the edge.
• Lift the masks off as soon as the paint has flashed off; once it has fully cured they come away less easily.

Who it is for

The set suits anyone building the Ki-51 in 1:48 scale who wants clean transitions between colors without slow cutting of tape. The model, the paints and the glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.