1:48 Mitsubishi Ki-51 'Sonia' Vacu Canopy & Mask

A vacuum-formed canopy with masks for the Mitsubishi Ki-51 Sonia 1:48

This accessory set combines a vacuum-formed canopy of clear plastic with a sheet of precisely cut masks. Vacuum-formed canopies are noticeably thinner and clearer than the usual injection-molded parts, so the interior of the model shows beautifully; the masks supplied with them also do away with the most laborious part - painting the frames cleanly. This is not a kit of the aircraft but an accessory to one.

Use

• Cut the canopy out around its edge with a sharp scalpel or fine scissors and sand the edge down
• Glue the canopy with PVA glue or with a cement intended for clear parts that leaves no veil
• Seat the masks on the individual panes with tweezers and press the edges down carefully
• Spray the frames first with the interior color and then with the camouflage shade

The real subject

The Mitsubishi Ki-51, known to the Allies under the code name Sonia, was a Japanese army light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The simple and durable machine served from the fighting in China right to the end of the war in the Pacific and is one of the popular subjects among builders of Japanese aviation.

Who the accessory is for

For modelers of the Ki-51 in 1:48 scale who want thinner and clearer glazing, and also for anyone who needs to replace a damaged original part. Working with vacuum-formed canopies calls for a little practice at the cutting out.

This is a modeling accessory - the kit of the aircraft itself is not included in the package.