Eduard EX044 - 1:48 Beaufighter masks

Eduard EX044 mask set – canopy painting masks for the Beaufighter model (Tamiya) in 1:48 scale

Eduard EX044 is a set of self-adhesive 1:48 masks for painting the canopy framing and other glazing, and the wheel hubs, tailored to the Beaufighter model from Tamiya. 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: EX044
• Manufacturer: Eduard
• Dedicated kit: Beaufighter from Tamiya
• 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 – Bristol Beaufighter:

The Bristol Beaufighter is a British twin-engine, two-seat multirole aircraft developed in the late 1930s from the Beaufort torpedo bomber. It was a sturdy low-wing aircraft with heavy gun armament concentrated in the forward fuselage. Early versions were powered by Bristol Hercules radial engines, some later ones by inline Rolls-Royce Merlins.

The Beaufighter served as a radar-equipped night fighter, a fighter-attack aircraft and a torpedo carrier. In the strike versions it attacked ships and ground targets with cannon, rockets and torpedoes. Its fixed armament was four 20 mm cannon in the fuselage plus machine guns in the wings. About 5,900 aircraft of various versions were built.

Original specifications (Bristol Beaufighter):

• Crew: 2
• Length: 12.6 m
• Wingspan: 17.6 m
• Height: 4.8 m
• Empty weight: approx. 6,600 kg
• Take-off weight: approx. 11,500 kg
• Powerplant: 2 x Bristol Hercules radials, approx. 1,600 hp each
• Max speed: approx. 515 km/h
• Ceiling: 8,800 m
• Range: approx. 2,400 km
• Armament: 4 x 20 mm cannon, 6 x 7.7 mm machine guns (early versions); torpedo or rockets (strike versions)
• Production: approx. 5,900 aircraft (1939-1945)

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.