Eduard XT166 - 1:35 BT-7 wheel masks

Eduard XT166 mask set – road wheel masks for the BT-7 model (Tamiya) in 1:35 scale

Eduard XT166 is a set of self-adhesive 1:35 masks for masking the rubber tyres of the road wheels during painting, tailored to the BT-7 model from Tamiya. The masks are die-cut from yellow Kabuki masking paper, giving sharp edges without hand masking with tape. The kit is not included.

What's in the box:

• Sheet of self-adhesive masks made of yellow Kabuki masking paper shaped to the model road wheels
• Mask placement instructions

Set specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: XT166
• Manufacturer: Eduard
• Dedicated kit: BT-7 from Tamiya
• Accessory type: road wheel masks
• Material: yellow Kabuki masking paper, machine-cut

Road wheel masks – even edges on the rubber tyres

This set contains self-adhesive masks shaped to the model road wheels, letting you paint the rubber tyres separately from the hubs. The masks are die-cut from yellow Kabuki masking paper, giving a sharp, even boundary between the metal hub and the rubber without freehand painting.

The masks are applied to the wheels, the tyre or hub colour is airbrushed, and the masks are removed once dry. The set greatly speeds up one of the more tedious steps in painting a vehicle.

About the vehicle – BT-7 (Soviet fast tank):

The BT-7 was the last and most numerous member of the Soviet family of fast tanks (bystrokhodny tank), derived from the design of Walter Christie. Entering production in 1935, it used the distinctive Christie suspension that allowed movement on tracks or on the road wheels alone once the tracks were removed. Powered by an aircraft engine, it reached high speeds, which made it the backbone of the Soviet armoured forces in the second half of the 1930s.

The tank fought at Khalkhin Gol, during the 1939 invasion of Poland, in the Winter War against Finland and in the opening phase of the German-Soviet war. Thin armour and a petrol engine made it vulnerable, and most vehicles were lost in 1941. The late BT-7M variant received the V-2 diesel engine, later proven in the T-34. About 5,500 examples of all versions were built.

Original specifications (BT-7 (Soviet fast tank)):

• Length: 5.66 m
• Width: 2.29 m
• Height: 2.42 m
• Combat weight: approx. 13.9 t
• Crew: 3
• Armament: 45 mm 20-K gun, 1-2 x 7.62 mm DT machine guns
• Armour (max.): 22 mm
• Engine: M-17T petrol, 400 hp
• Max speed: 52 km/h on tracks, up to 72 km/h on wheels
• Range: approx. 500 km
• Production: 1935-1940, approx. 5,500 built

About the manufacturer – Eduard:

Eduard is a Czech manufacturer of scale model kits and modelling accessories, established in 1989 and based in Obrnice. Besides plastic kits, the company offers an extensive range of upgrade accessories: photo-etched parts, resin components, decals and painting masks. Eduard masks are die-cut from yellow Kabuki masking paper and designed either for specific models or as universal marking sheets, making painting easier and shortening finishing work.