Eduard EX160 - 1:48 PZL-23 Karas masks

Eduard EX160 mask set – canopy painting masks for the PZL.23 Karas model (Mirage Hobby) in 1:48 scale

Eduard EX160 is a set of self-adhesive 1:48 masks for painting the canopy framing and other glazing, and the wheel hubs, tailored to the PZL.23 Karas model from Mirage Hobby. 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: EX160
• Manufacturer: Eduard
• Dedicated kit: PZL.23 Karas from Mirage Hobby
• 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 – Poland:

The PZL.23 Karas was a Polish reconnaissance-bomber, a low-wing metal aircraft with a metal-skinned fuselage and fixed landing gear. The three-man crew was arranged in successive stations, with a distinctive under-fuselage gondola for the gunner and bomb-aimer. Power came from an air-cooled radial engine, of differing output in production versions depending on the variant.

Karas aircraft formed the backbone of Polish line aviation in 1939 and were used en masse in September for bombing and reconnaissance of German columns. Slow and lightly armed, they suffered heavy losses, but carried out the first combat bomb drops of that war. The PZL.23B variant received a more powerful engine, while the developed PZL.43 was exported to Bulgaria. In total more than 250 examples of the family were built.

Original specifications (Poland):

• Length: 9.7 m
• Wingspan: 13.9 m
• Height: 3.3 m
• Max. takeoff weight: approx. 3500 kg
• Crew: 3
• Powerplant: Bristol Pegasus VIII radial (PZL licence), approx. 680 hp (PZL.23B)
• Max. speed: approx. 320 km/h
• Ceiling: approx. 7300 m
• Range: approx. 1260 km
• Armament: 3 x 7.7 mm machine guns; up to approx. 700 kg of bombs
• Production: 1936-1939, approx. 250-260 built (all variants)

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.