1:72 C6N Saiun National Insignias w/ white outline

Outlined insignia for the C6N Saiun in 1:72 scale

A masking set of the Dead Design brand for spraying the Japanese national insignia with a white border onto a model of the Nakajima C6N Saiun in 1:72 scale. You are buying an aid for painting; the finished model of the reconnaissance machine comes from another kit.

Working with the film on curved surfaces

The wing of the Saiun has a pronounced section and the insignia on the upper surface lies where the surface turns toward the tips. A flat shape will not lie straight there without help and will start to crumple. The solution is simple: lay the mask on loosely, warm it with a hair dryer from about twenty centimeters away and then smooth it from the center outwards with your thumb. The film gives and the edge stays whole. The same procedure handles the transition on the fuselage, where the surface narrows toward the fin.

Shades and their covering power

The white under the red has to be truly opaque, otherwise the dark camouflage will come through it. Apply it in two or three goes and wait between the coats. Then spray the red sparingly: an excess of paint creates a ridge at the edge that stays visible even after a matte overcoat. Match the shade of the disc to how weathered a machine you are building, as period insignia went gray quickly as they faded.

• Hold the dryer further away, otherwise the film will pucker or curl.
• Apply the white in several goes, until it covers completely.
• Do not overspray the red, as a ridge would form at the edge.
• A weathered machine suits a disc a shade more faded.