1:72 Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden undercarriage bay paint masks

Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden landing gear bay masks in 1:72 scale

The set is intended for the landing gear bays, not for the glazing. Its point is a matter of color: on aircraft the inside of a bay tends to be set apart from the outer surface, and it is that contrast which makes the view of a model from below interesting. As soon as the top color of the airframe gets into the bay, the contrast disappears and with it the depth. A mask keeps that difference without your having to repair anything with a brush.

Why tape by hand is not enough

The outline of a landing gear bay is neither a circle nor a rectangle. It is an irregular shape with a sharp corner at one end and a smooth radius at the other, and in 1:72 scale it is only a few millimeters long. Cutting it out of tape with a knife means cutting directly on the part, that is risking a score in the plastic, and it still does not come out the same the second time. A pre-cut template solves both at once. Lay it on, press it down all the way around and then simply spray, ideally with a light sealing coat over the edge of the mask first, which closes any microscopic gaps before the full color comes.

The real subject

The Mitsubishi J2M Raiden was a Japanese land-based interceptor, built for a fast climb to altitude rather than for agility. Its recognition feature was a massive radial engine with an extension shaft and a cooling fan, thanks to which the nose had a characteristic teardrop shape. The J2M3 version, which the set is cut for according to the name, carried cannon armament in the wing, and it is in the wing that the landing gear bays lie as well.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who build the Raiden in 1:72 scale.
• Those who want to preserve the color contrast of the bay against the airframe.
• Builders who dislike cutting with a knife directly on a finished part.
• Collectors of Japanese interceptors.