1:72 Ki-84 Hayate

The real subject

The Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate was a Japanese single-seat fighter aircraft of the close of the Second World War, powered by an air-cooled radial engine. The Allies used the code name Frank for it. It was among the highest-performing Japanese fighters of its time and to this day it is a rewarding real subject, mainly because of its striking nose and plainly divided glazing, which practically asks to be masked.

What the set contains

A masking set in 1:72 scale for a model of the Ki-84. The pieces are cut in advance into shapes that on the model match the areas that are to stay free of paint. The exact extent and the recommended order of sticking on are given in the instructions in the package; from those it can also be told which kit the shapes are cut for.

Building and painting tips

First clean and degrease the surface, or the mask will not adhere. Lift the pieces off by the edge with tweezers and press them down onto the model with a blunt stick, especially carefully in the corners and along the frames; that is where the paint runs under most often. Spray in thin coats and let the paint set between them. Take the mask off shortly after the paint has dried, while the coat is still flexible, and pull it back over itself at an angle, not straight up. Wipe any remainder of adhesive off with a cotton bud moistened in water.

Who it is for

The set will save time for anyone who does not want to cut the glazing and the small areas out of tape, and will repay them with more regular edges than can be achieved by hand. A model, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.