In the beguiling realm of airbrushing, Iwata reigns supreme as a purveyor of expertly crafted airbrushes that leave one gasping in awe at their intricate designs and unparalleled performance. Yet, in a stroke of ingenious design, Iwata has found a way to imbue their airbrushes with a distinctive engraving that bears testimony to their impeccable craftsmanship – the all-important markings that denote the year and month of manufacture.
A discerning eye might first chance upon the final two letters of the engraving that adorn the Iwata airbrush, but these seemingly innocuous letters belie a deeper significance. The letter that precedes the last one is a tell-tale sign of the year of manufacture, while the one that precedes it, a harbinger of the month.
As a wise consumer, it behooves you to acquaint yourself with the Iwata airbrush markings before you decide to make a purchase.
Behold, the airbrush pictured below is emblazoned with the marking “CS.” And lo and behold, when you peruse the markings table, your mind shall be struck with a revelation – this airbrush was forged in the fires of Iwata’s immaculate manufacturing facilities in September (S) of the year of our Lord 2003 (C).

Here is a comparative table of Iwata airbrush markings, including the corresponding year and month of manufacture:
Marking | Year (First letter of marking) | Month (Second letter of marking) |
---|---|---|
A | 2022 | January |
B | 2023 | February |
C | 2003 (2024) | March |
D | 2004 | April |
E | 2005 | May |
F | 2006 | June |
G | 2007 | July |
H | 2008 | August |
J | 2009 | September |
K | 2010 | October |
L | 2011 | November |
M | 2012 | December |
P | 2013 | |
R | 2014 | |
S | 2015 | |
T | 2016 | |
U | 2017 | |
W | 2018 | |
X | 2019 | |
Y | 2020 | |
Z | 2021 |
Hey there! I'm Richard Baker, a miniature painter who's been in the game for a solid decade now. I've been painting miniatures for ten years and I've got a ton of tips and tricks to share with you all. My website is a treasure trove of knowledge that I've gathered from both my own personal experiences and from reading all sorts of books.