Eduard EX166 - 1:48 P-47M masks

Eduard EX166 mask set – canopy painting masks for the P-47M Thunderbolt model (Tamiya) in 1:48 scale

Eduard EX166 is a set of self-adhesive 1:48 masks for painting the canopy framing and other glazing, and the wheel hubs, tailored to the P-47M Thunderbolt 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: EX166
• Manufacturer: Eduard
• Dedicated kit: P-47M Thunderbolt 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 – USA:

The Republic P-47M Thunderbolt was a high-speed interceptor variant of the American low-wing fighter, developed to counter German V-1 flying bombs and jet aircraft. It retained the rugged, all-metal fuselage with an air-cooled radial engine and a turbo-supercharger in the rear fuselage, but used an uprated version of the powerplant that gave higher speed at altitude.

Few were built, delivered late in the war to a group operating over Western Europe. Early machines needed engine faults corrected, after which they were used to intercept fast targets. The P-47M remained a niche variant, produced in about 130 examples, and its combat career was brief and limited to the final weeks of operations in Europe.

Original specifications (USA):

• Length: 11.0 m
• Wingspan: 12.4 m
• Height: 4.3 m
• Max. takeoff weight: approx. 6800 kg
• Crew: 1
• Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-57 radial, approx. 2100-2800 hp with water injection
• Max. speed: approx. 760 km/h
• Ceiling: approx. 12,800 m
• Range: approx. 900 km on internal fuel
• Armament: 8 x 12.7 mm machine guns; up to approx. 1100 kg of bombs or rockets
• Production: 1944-1945, approx. 130 built

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.