1:72 Mitsubishi A7M1/2 Reppu undercarriage bay paint masks

Mitsubishi A7M Reppu landing gear bay masks in 1:72 scale

The set belongs to the landing gear bays, not to the cockpit. Its benefit shows most when you fit the masking into the build at the right moment, that is still before the wing is finally closed and glued to the fuselage. The bay is then accessible from every side, the mask can be seated and checked at leisure, and the rest of the build goes on with the interior safely covered.

When to mask

The proven sequence is simple: paint the inside of the bay, let it dry through, apply the mask, and only then close the wing and carry on with the build. If you mask on a finished airframe, you are working in a closed recess and cannot reach the rear edge properly. The second advantage of masking early is protection against overspray while the primer is sprayed, because the bay stays covered during the filling and sanding of the seams as well. Take the mask off only after the last varnish and check the edge of the outline straight away; any small overrun is best repaired with a brush while it is fresh.

The real subject

The Mitsubishi A7M Reppu was a Japanese carrier fighter designed as the successor to the Zero. It was built in a small number of prototypes and pre-production machines and never reached operational service. The A7M1 was powered by the Nakajima Homare radial engine, whose output did not satisfy the designers, which is why the A7M2 version received a more powerful Mitsubishi engine. By Japanese standards the aircraft had a large wing area and with it roomy landing gear bays, so they cannot be overlooked on a model.

Who the set is for

• Builders of less common Japanese types in 1:72 scale.
• Modelers who plan the sequence of a build ahead and mask in good time.
• Those who want the bay protected during the sanding of the seams as well.
• Collectors of prototypes and machines that never reached series production.