1:72 Nakajima Ki-43-I Hayabusa undercarriage bay paint masks

The real subject

The Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa was a light Japanese army fighter, built above all for agility. It was the most widespread fighter aircraft of the Japanese Army Air Force and Allied pilots at first confused it with the Zero, although it was a different machine from a different maker. The designation Ki-43-I belongs to the first production version, that is the lightest and oldest form.

What the set contains

Painting templates for the landing gear bays of a model in 1:72 scale. The inside of a bay is sprayed in a different shade from the surrounding surfaces, and once the top color gets into it, putting it right is difficult. With a template the two stages are separated and the edge around the opening stays crisp.

How the masking is done

• spray the inside of the bay and let it dry before the mask is fitted
• place the template before the top colors are sprayed, not onto a finished coat
• press the edge down all the way around, otherwise the paint creeps under
• spray in thin coats and rather dry; a wet coat flows under the most
• take the mask off shortly after the paint has set, not after several days

Who it is for

For the modeler who builds the Hayabusa in a small scale and wants to avoid lengthy covering of the bays with paper and tape. The masks are cut to the shape of a particular model, so check in the instructions or on the box which kit the set is aimed at.

Terms of supply

The kit, the paints and the glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.