Eduard EX021 - 1:48 AV-8B masks

Eduard EX021 mask set – canopy painting masks for the AV-8B Harrier model (Hasegawa) in 1:48 scale

Eduard EX021 is a set of self-adhesive 1:48 masks for painting the canopy framing and other glazing, and the wheel hubs, tailored to the AV-8B Harrier model from Hasegawa. 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: 1:48
• Catalogue number: EX021
• Manufacturer: Eduard
• Dedicated kit: AV-8B Harrier from Hasegawa
• 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 – AV-8B Harrier II:

The McDonnell Douglas / BAe AV-8B Harrier II is a single-seat vertical/short take-off and landing (V/STOL) aircraft developed in the 1970s and 1980s from the British Harrier by American and British companies. Lift is provided by a single engine with four rotating nozzles that direct the exhaust downward or rearward. Compared with the original, the aircraft received a new composite wing and greater weapons load.

The AV-8B entered service in the mid-1980s, mainly with the US Marine Corps and the Spanish and Italian navies, operating from small carriers and improvised airfields. It saw combat in the Gulf War and later conflicts in the close air support role. Its armament consists of a 25 mm cannon and a wide range of bombs and missiles carried on underwing and underfuselage stations.

Original specifications (AV-8B Harrier II):

• Crew: 1
• Length: 14.1 m
• Wingspan: 9.2 m
• Height: 3.6 m
• Empty weight: approx. 6,340 kg
• Max take-off weight: approx. 14,100 kg
• Powerplant: 1 x Rolls-Royce Pegasus F402 turbofan, approx. 105 kN thrust
• Max speed: approx. 1,070 km/h
• Ceiling: 15,000 m
• Range: approx. 2,200 km (ferry)
• Armament: 25 mm GAU-12 cannon, up to approx. 6,000 kg of ordnance on 7 hardpoints
• Production: approx. 340 aircraft (from 1981)

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.