148 A5M4 Claude double-sided painting mask for Wingsy kits

The real subject

The Mitsubishi A5M was a carrier fighter of the Imperial Japanese Navy, given the reporting name Claude by the Allies. It was an all-metal low-wing aircraft with fixed landing gear and an open cockpit; the A5M4 version was built in the largest numbers. The open cockpit and the framed glazing mean that the transitions between the clear parts and the painted surface are very visible on a finished model.

What the mask deals with

The set is double-sided, so it covers the glazing from the outside as well as the inside. The inner side tends to be neglected on models, and yet it is exactly through it that the paint applied to the frames shows. The mask is prepared for the Wingsy Kits kit in 1:48 scale, so the shapes of the parts match the glazing of that particular kit.

How to work with the mask

The masks are stuck on before spraying, onto a degreased and dry clear part. Transfer the individual parts with tweezers or the tip of a toothpick and press the edges down carefully so that the paint does not creep under them. Spray in several thin coats; a heavy application creates a step at the edge that stands out once the mask is removed. Remove the mask as soon as the paint is dry, again with tweezers and with an angled pull, not straight off the surface.

Who it is for

The set suits anyone who is building the A5M4 from Wingsy Kits and does not want to mask the frames of the glazing laboriously with strips of tape. It saves time and, above all, it makes the width of the frames consistent across the whole model.

This is an accessory to a kit that you obtain separately. Paints, clear coats and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.