1:72 Tachikawa Ki-54

Masking set Tachikawa Ki-54 in 1:72 scale

The set from Eduard contains pre-cut masks for painting a model of the Tachikawa Ki-54 aircraft in 1:72 scale. It is an accessory for painting, not a kit: the masks cover the glazing and other surfaces that are to stay clean, and they are taken off once the spraying is done. The name gives neither the target kit nor the contents of the sheet; the manufacturer gives them on the packaging.

The real subject

The Ki-54 was a Japanese twin-engine aircraft of all-metal construction, used above all for training crews and for liaison and transport duties. The fuselage has a glazed nose and a row of side windows along the cabin, so an unusual number of transparent surfaces come together on a model. This type of aircraft is exactly the rewarding case for a masking set: masking a row of identical little windows by hand is among the most tedious parts of a build.

Usage tips

With aircraft that have many windows it pays to work systematically, one side of the fuselage at a time, and to lay the masks on in order from front to rear. It is then easy to see whether one is missing. The glazing has to be clean and dry; a fingerprint will lift a mask and the paint will run underneath exactly where a repair shows worst. Spray the framing first in the interior color and only then in the outer shade. Take the masks off with tweezers, pulling upward, while the paint has flashed off. Wipe any remains of adhesive off with a dry cotton bud, as a thinner could damage the transparent part.

Who the set is for

• Builders of Japanese aircraft in 1:72 scale
• Modelers who do not want to mask a row of small windows by hand
• Those who paint with an airbrush and want clean framing edges
• Modelers who build less usual types of aircraft

The set is an accessory for a kit, not a model in its own right. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package.