Eduard EX137 - 1:48 N1K1-Ja George masks

Eduard EX137 mask set – canopy painting masks for the N1K1-Ja George model (Hasegawa) in 1:48 scale

Eduard EX137 is a set of self-adhesive 1:48 masks for painting the canopy framing and other glazing, and the wheel hubs, tailored to the N1K1-Ja George 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: EX137
• Manufacturer: Eduard
• Dedicated kit: N1K1-Ja George 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 – Kawanishi N1K1-Ja Shiden:

The N1K1-J Shiden was a Japanese single-seat land-based fighter of the Imperial Navy, Allied code name George, created by converting the N1K1 Kyofu floatplane fighter. As it was based on an airframe with a mid-mounted wing, it required a long telescopic main undercarriage that was a source of failures. It was powered by the Nakajima Homare radial engine. The N1K1-Ja version differed from the original mainly in armament of four 20 mm cannon.

The Shiden entered service in 1944 and was one of the few Japanese fighters able to fight on equal terms with the American F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair, partly thanks to automatic combat flaps that improved manoeuvrability. Undercarriage faults and the unreliability of the Homare engine led to the thoroughly redesigned low-wing N1K2-J Shiden-Kai. About a thousand of all N1K1-J variants were built, used until the end of the war in 1945.

Original specifications (Kawanishi N1K1-Ja Shiden):

• Length: 8.89 m
• Wingspan: 12.00 m
• Height: approx. 4.06 m
• Empty weight: approx. 2,700 kg
• Loaded weight: approx. 4,000 kg
• Crew: 1
• Powerplant: 1 x Nakajima Homare 21 radial, approx. 1,990 hp
• Max speed: approx. 583 km/h at approx. 5,900 m
• Ceiling: approx. 12,500 m
• Range: approx. 1,400 km
• Armament: 4 x 20 mm cannon (two in the wings, two in underwing gondolas), up to 2 x 250 kg bombs
• Production: approx. 1,007 of all N1K1-J versions (1943-1945)

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.