Eduard EX180 - 1:48 D-520 masks

Eduard EX180 mask set – canopy painting masks for the D.520 model (Tamiya) in 1:48 scale

Eduard EX180 is a set of self-adhesive 1:48 masks for painting the canopy framing and other glazing, and the wheel hubs, tailored to the D.520 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: EX180
• Manufacturer: Eduard
• Dedicated kit: D.520 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 – Dewoitine D.520:

The Dewoitine D.520 is a French single-seat fighter of the late 1930s, developed as a modern successor to older designs for French aviation. It was an all-metal low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear and an enclosed cockpit canopy, powered by a liquid-cooled in-line engine. Its armament centred on a cannon firing through the propeller hub together with machine guns in the wings.

The D.520 was the most modern French fighter ready for combat at the time of the German offensive in 1940, though it entered service too late and in too small numbers to significantly affect the campaign. After France's capitulation the aircraft were operated by Vichy forces, and some passed to Germany's allied states. About 900 examples were built, later used for training as well.

Original specifications (Dewoitine D.520):

• Crew: 1
• Length: 8.8 m
• Wingspan: 10.2 m
• Height: 2.6 m
• Empty/take-off weight: 2,090 kg / 2,780 kg
• Powerplant: 1 x Hispano-Suiza 12Y-45 in-line, approx. 935 hp
• Max speed: approx. 535 km/h
• Ceiling: 10,250 m
• Range: approx. 1,250 km
• Armament: 1 x 20 mm cannon (through propeller hub) and 4 x 7.5 mm machine guns
• Production: approx. 900 (1939-1944)

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.