1:72 Mitsubishi A5M Claude Family National Insignia paint masks

National insignia masks 1:72 Mitsubishi A5M Claude (Dead Design)

Watch the type of goods: this set does not serve to mask the cockpit but to spray the national insignia. These are pre-cut templates in 1:72 scale for the family of A5M machines, which the Allies gave the code name Claude. The insignia are therefore not applied as a decal but sprayed straight onto the surface of the model.

The real subject

The Mitsubishi A5M was a Japanese carrier fighter of the second half of the 1930s, one of the first all-metal monoplanes of its kind in the Imperial Japanese Navy. It had fixed landing gear, an open or only partly covered cockpit, and was built in several variants that differed in engine and in details of the airframe. The word Family in the name suggests that the templates cover several machines of the series; the exact list is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

A sharp edge and the order of the shades

The main reason for spraying instead of using a decal: an insignia has no carrier film, its sheen does not differ from the surrounding surface, and on areas with riveting or panel lines the typical silvering does not appear. With a multi-color insignia you spray from the lighter shade to the darker one, letting the paint dry thoroughly between coats. Apply the template to a perfectly smooth and set surface, ideally to gloss varnish, which seals the pores of the surface. Spray square on and in thin coats, so that paint does not run under the edge of the template.

Who the set is for

• Modelers bothered by the silvering of decal insignia
• Builders who want the insignia to remain part of the finish even after weathering
• Those building several machines of this series in 1:72
• More advanced modelers used to an airbrush and to working in layers

This is an accessory for a model. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.