1:72 Nakajima Ki-43-I Hayabusa Control Surfaces

The real subject

The Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa was a Japanese single-engine fighter with a radial engine, built above all for agility. It was light, had a large wing area and in a slow fight it could turn where a heavier opponent could not keep up, which it paid for with weak armament and little toughness. The Ki-43-I is the first production form. The name Hayabusa means peregrine falcon; the Allies carried the aircraft under the code name Oscar.

What the set solves

The rudder, the elevators and the ailerons on the machines of that day were covered in fabric over a metal frame, whereas the rest of the airframe was all-metal. The difference is visible on a finished model too: the fabric surfaces differ from their surroundings in shade, in sheen and in surface texture. For their boundary to come out sharp and exactly where it should be, they have to be marked out while spraying, and that is exactly what this set of masks for the Ki-43-I in 1:72 scale does. Which surfaces of the model the sheet covers is stated in the manufacturer's instructions.

How to work with the masks

The masks are stuck on before spraying, not after the paint has dried. First wash the surface and rid it of grease, otherwise the edge of the mask will not take hold. Lift the mask with the tip of a knife or with tweezers, lay it in place and press it down along its whole length with a toothpick, because paint creeps under exactly where an edge is not pressed home. Spray in several thin coats instead of one heavy one and take the mask off as soon as the paint has dried. On an area with raised covering ribs, press down carefully, so that the mask does not break over the edge.

Who it is for

For modelers who build the Ki-43-I in 1:72 scale and want to distinguish the moving surfaces without trimming tape by hand. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.