Eduard CX540 - 1:72 B-58 masks

Eduard CX540 mask set – canopy painting masks for the B-58 Hustler model (Italeri) in 1:72 scale

Eduard CX540 is a set of self-adhesive 1:72 masks for painting the canopy framing and other glazing, and the wheel hubs, tailored to the B-58 Hustler model from Italeri. The masks are die-cut from yellow Kabuki masking paper, giving sharp edges without hand masking with tape. The base kit is not included.

What's in the box:

• Sheet of self-adhesive masks made of yellow Kabuki masking paper, die-cut for the canopy and other glazing and for the wheel hubs
• Mask placement instructions

Set specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalogue number: CX540
• Manufacturer: Eduard
• Dedicated kit: B-58 Hustler from Italeri
• Accessory type: canopy painting masks
• Material: yellow Kabuki masking paper, machine-cut

Self-adhesive painting masks – crisp canopy frame edges

Eduard masks are self-adhesive stencils die-cut from low-tack yellow Kabuki masking paper suited to delicate model surfaces. They cover the clear areas of the glazing and leave only the canopy framing exposed, so that after airbrushing you get sharp, even frame edges – hard to achieve when masking by hand with tape.

The recommended method is to apply the masks to clean, degreased glazing, press the edges down firmly and then airbrush the paint. Once the paint has dried, the masks are removed. The masks are intended for single use and should not be left on the model for a long time.

About the aircraft – Convair B-58 Hustler:

The Convair B-58 Hustler was an American supersonic strategic bomber, the first of its kind capable of Mach 2 flight. It had a delta-wing layout and was powered by four General Electric J79 jet engines in underwing nacelles. As it had no internal bomb bay, the nuclear payload and additional fuel were housed in a large jettisonable pod beneath the fuselage.

The B-58 was designed to penetrate defences at high altitude and high speed, but the development of Soviet surface-to-air missiles quickly limited the usefulness of such tactics. The aircraft was expensive to operate and demanding to fly, so it served for a relatively short time. The crew numbered three, seated in separate cockpits. The type was withdrawn from service as early as 1970.

Original specifications (Convair B-58 Hustler):

• Length: 29.5 m
• Wingspan: 17.3 m
• Height: 9.6 m
• Max takeoff weight: approx. 80,200 kg
• Crew: 3
• Powerplant: 4 x General Electric J79-GE-5 turbojet, approx. 69 kN each with afterburner
• Max speed: approx. 2,120 km/h (Mach 2.0)
• Ceiling: approx. 19,300 m
• Range: approx. 7,600 km
• Armament: nuclear payload in ventral pod, 20 mm tail cannon
• Production: 116 built (1960-1962)

About the manufacturer – Eduard:

Eduard is a Czech manufacturer of scale model kits and modelling accessories, established in 1989 and based in Obrnice. The company is widely recognised among aircraft modellers for its own 1:48 and 1:72 kits and for an extensive range of upgrade accessories: photo-etched parts, Brassin resin components, decals and painting masks. Eduard masks are die-cut from yellow Kabuki masking paper and designed for specific plastic kits, ensuring an accurate fit to the shape of the canopy and other details. The EX mask series covers hundreds of items dedicated both to Eduard kits and to kits from other manufacturers.