Eduard EX193 - 1:48 Ki-43 II Oscar masks

Eduard EX193 mask set – canopy painting masks for the Ki-43 II Oscar model (Hasegawa) in 1:48 scale

Eduard EX193 is a set of self-adhesive 1:48 masks for painting the canopy framing and other glazing, and the wheel hubs, tailored to the Ki-43 II Oscar 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: EX193
• Manufacturer: Eduard
• Dedicated kit: Ki-43 II Oscar 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 – Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Oscar):

The Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Allied code name Oscar) was a Japanese single-seat fighter of the Imperial Army in the Second World War. It was a low-wing aircraft of all-metal construction, powered by a Nakajima radial engine. It was highly manoeuvrable, thanks to its light weight and combat flaps, at the cost of light armament and weak protection.

The Ki-43 was the Japanese Army's main fighter in many campaigns on the continent and over the Pacific. Successive versions received more powerful engines and stronger armament, which in later models comprised two heavy machine guns. The aircraft remained in service until the end of the war. Several thousand were built in several versions.

Original specifications (Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Oscar)):

• Length: 8.92 m
• Wingspan: 10.84 m
• Height: 3.27 m
• Take-off weight: approx. 2900 kg
• Crew: 1
• Powerplant: Nakajima Ha-115 radial, approx. 1150 hp (II version)
• Max speed: approx. 530 km/h
• Ceiling: approx. 11,200 m
• Range: approx. 1600 km
• Armament: 2 x 12.7 mm machine guns
• Production: approx. 5900 built, 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.