1:48 Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero m.32 National Insignia with white outline

Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero model 32 national insignia masks in 1:48 scale

A Dead Design masking set for the national markings of the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M3 carrier fighter in the model 32 version, in the form with a white outline. The set concerns the national insignia only; it is not a kit and not a set of canopy masks.

Choosing the colors and their coverage

With an outlined insignia the light coat does the greatest part of the work. White covers less well than dark shades and here it is sprayed onto a camouflage color as well, so it pays to reckon with several thin passes instead of one generous coat. Only onto a matured light coat does the inner color come, and because the two coats are laid one on top of the other, the alignment has to be right to a tenth of a millimeter; otherwise the outline comes out uneven. Lay the template on first, therefore, check that it is concentric and press it down only after that.

The advantage over a decal when weathering

A sprayed insignia has no carrier film, so it does not silver and creates no outline you can feel around it. The decisive difference, though, shows only when weathering: the insignia is part of the paint, so it can be sanded, chipped at the edges, covered with filters and dusted with pigments exactly like the camouflage around it. At that stage a decal usually gives itself away by the edge of its film, which separates under abrasive or a wash.

The real subject

The model 32 version carried cut-off wingtips with a square end, which is the quickest way to tell it apart from the other Zero variants in photographs and on a model.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who weather a model markedly and do not want to deal with the edges of decals.
• Those who have experience of spraying multi-coat markings.
• Builders of the model 32 version in 1:48 scale.
• Anyone who wants their markings unified with the paint around them.