Eduard EX043 - 1:48 Hs 129 masks

Eduard EX043 mask set – canopy painting masks for the Hs 129 model (Hasegawa) in 1:48 scale

Eduard EX043 is a set of self-adhesive 1:48 masks for painting the canopy framing and other glazing, and the wheel hubs, tailored to the Hs 129 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: EX043
• Manufacturer: Eduard
• Dedicated kit: Hs 129 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 – Henschel Hs 129:

The Henschel Hs 129 was a German twin-engined ground-attack aircraft intended to destroy ground targets, including tanks. It was a low-wing monoplane with a slim, narrow fuselage and a heavily armoured, cramped cockpit with a thick front windscreen. Because of limited availability of German engines, captured French Gnome-Rhone radials were used, which affected performance and reliability.

The Hs 129 entered service in 1942 and was used mainly on the Eastern Front as a tank destroyer. Successive versions received ever heavier armament, up to large-calibre cannon able to pierce armoured-vehicle armour. The aircraft was effective in this role but unmanoeuvrable and vulnerable to engine damage. About 870 examples were built.

Original specifications (Henschel Hs 129):

• Length: 9.75 m
• Wingspan: 14.20 m
• Height: 3.25 m
• Take-off weight: approx. 5250 kg
• Crew: 1
• Powerplant: 2 x Gnome-Rhone 14M radials, approx. 700 hp each
• Max speed: approx. 400 km/h
• Ceiling: approx. 9000 m
• Range: approx. 690 km
• Armament: 2 x 20 mm cannon and 2 x 7.92 mm machine guns; podded anti-tank cannon (up to 75 mm in the B-3)
• Production: approx. 870 built, 1940-1944

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.