1:72 Kawanishi N1K2-j/3j Shiden KAI Undercarriage Bay Masks

The real subject

The Shiden KAI was a reworked Kawanishi Shiden: the wing moved from the middle of the fuselage to the low position, the main landing gear was thereby shortened and simplified, and the aircraft received a new fuselage and tail surfaces. The N1K2-J version was built in series, while the N1K3-J remained a further stage of the line under development that never reached larger numbers.

What the set contains

Masks for the landing gear bay spaces in 1:72 scale, usable according to the name for both versions given. They cover the openings of the bays for the time the surrounding surfaces are sprayed, so that no overspray gets inside and the edge of the paint stays crisp. Compare the shapes with your own model.

Building and painting tips

• First paint the inside of the bays and let it dry, and only then fit the masks.
• Seat the small parts with tweezers and press the edges down around the perimeter with a toothpick.
• Lay the paint on in several thin coats, so that it does not flow under the edge of the mask.
• Lift the mask off at a shallow angle right after the last coat has set.
• Cover the bays again before the final varnish, so that they keep their degree of sheen.

Who it is for

The set suits the modeler who builds the Shiden KAI with open bays and does not want to lose time cutting tape into complicated shapes. It is a stand-alone masking set; the model, the paints and the glue are not supplied with it, unless stated otherwise.