Eduard EX389 - 1:48 Nesher/Dagger masks

Eduard EX389 mask set – canopy painting masks for the Nesher/Dagger model (Italeri) in 1:48 scale

Eduard EX389 is a set of self-adhesive 1:48 masks for painting the canopy framing and other glazing, and the wheel hubs, tailored to the Nesher/Dagger model from Italeri. 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: EX389
• Manufacturer: Eduard
• Dedicated kit: Nesher/Dagger from Italeri
• 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 – IAI Nesher / Dagger (Israeli Dassault Mirage 5 equivalent):

After the 1967 French arms embargo, Israel did not receive the Mirage 5J aircraft it had ordered. Israel Aircraft Industries built an unlicensed copy of the Dassault Mirage 5, based partly on documentation obtained through espionage. The Nesher used the Mirage 5 airframe with Israeli avionics and could carry both Israeli and American weapons. Its first flight came around 1969-1971 and it entered service in 1971.

The Nesher saw heavy combat in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, scoring a large number of kills. About 61 single-seat and about 10 two-seat examples were produced. After Israel withdrew them, most were sold to Argentina as the Dagger; these fought in the 1982 Falklands War. The Nesher served as the development basis for the later IAI Kfir with the J79 engine.

Original specifications (IAI Nesher / Dagger (Israeli Dassault Mirage 5 equivalent)):

• Length: approx. 15.65 m
• Wingspan: approx. 8.22 m
• Height: approx. 4.55 m
• Empty weight: approx. 6,600 kg
• Max takeoff weight: approx. 13,500 kg
• Crew: 1 (Nesher S) / 2 (Nesher T)
• Powerplant: 1 x SNECMA Atar 9C afterburning turbojet, approx. 60.8 kN with afterburner
• Max speed: approx. 2,340 km/h (Mach 2.1)
• Ceiling: approx. 17,000 m
• Range: approx. 1,200 km (combat radius depends on configuration)
• Armament: 2 x DEFA 552 30 mm cannon; up to 4,000 kg of stores, AIM-9/Shafrir missiles, bombs
• Production: approx. 1971-1974 (about 71 examples)

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.