1:72 Ki-61 II KAI Hien Bubletop

The real subject

The Ki-61-II KAI is a late development stage of the Japanese army fighter Hien. The airframe was given larger surfaces and a modified fuselage, and some of the machines were completed with a cut-down spine and a convex canopy. Thanks to it the pilot could see to the rear, which in a fighter engagement is the difference between the one who sees first and the one who is seen. It is to this rendition that the set is devoted.

Why masks instead of tape

In 1:72 scale masking by hand quickly becomes the most time-consuming part of the build. The tape has to be cut to size, applied straight and repeated the same way on the other side of the model, otherwise the asymmetry is visible on the finished machine. A die-cut mask leaves that work out: the shape fits, both sides come out alike and the edge is sharp. The range of the set and the placing of the individual pieces are shown in the manufacturer's instructions.

• Masks for a Ki-61-II KAI Hien model in 1:72 scale
• Made for the rendition with a bubble canopy
• Die-cut shapes, both sides of the model come out symmetrical
• They are applied before spraying and lifted once the paint has dried

Tips for working with masks

The surface under a mask has to be dry, clean and degreased. Press the edges down around the whole perimeter, because paint will always get under an edge that has not been pressed home. Spray in several thin coats and do not hurry coverage with one application. Lift the mask shortly after the paint has dried and pull it back over itself at a sharp angle, not straight up. Adhesive residue on a clear part is removed by a cotton swab lightly dampened with water.

Who it is for

For builders of Japanese fighters in a small scale who want a clean transition between shades and do not want to spend a whole evening on it. This is an accessory to a model; paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.