1:72 F-1 Panther

1:72 F-1 Panther — Eduard masking set

The item is a masking accessory from the Czech brand Eduard in 1:72 scale, not an aircraft kit. The set contains pre-cut masks that are stuck onto the areas of the model which are to stay free of paint — typically onto the glazed cockpit canopy — and removed after spraying. You will find what the set covers on the sheet and in the enclosed instructions. The designation F-1 Panther appears among accessories in a pair with the T-2 type, with which the subject shares its design basis.

The real subject

Among modeling products the designation F-1 Panther refers to the single-seat Japanese combat aircraft Mitsubishi F-1, which came about by rebuilding the two-seat T-2 trainer. It was a high-wing machine with a pair of jet engines, a slender fuselage and a swept wing; it was operated by the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force from the end of the 1970s. For a modeler what matters most is that the cockpit is fairly long and heavily framed, so masking with masks is noticeably quicker than cutting tape by hand.

Building and painting tips

Wash and degrease the clear parts before masking. Lift the mask off the sheet with tweezers, lay it down and press the edges with a blunt toothpick — it is exactly this pressure at the edge that decides whether the paint runs underneath. Apply the paint in thin coats and rather in several passes. On cockpit frames it pays to spray the interior shade first and only then the exterior color. Take the masks off once the paint has dried, pulling along the edge rather than straight up. Any adhesive residue can be wiped away with a cotton swab dampened in water or alcohol.

Who the set is for

• Modelers building the F-1 Panther in 1:72 scale
• Collectors of postwar jet subjects in small scale
• Those who want sharp frame edges without cutting tape by hand
• Beginners who find masking clear parts difficult

This is an accessory for the build, not a model in its own right. The kit, glue and paints are not included unless stated otherwise.