I've recently started building plastic a/c models after a 20 yr hiatus. I'm taking model painting to its next step, airbrushing. What are the best compressor and airbrush for painting 1/48 and 1/72 scale a/c? I'm looking at spending $150 US max....about.... I almost bought the Tamiya compressor kit until i found out that it is battery powered which you have to purchase, and the finest attainable spray pattern is 2 mm. Now I'm evaluating the Testors "blue ice" airbrushing system. Please someone come straight out and tell me what to purchase. Steer me in the right path so I can get right to painting German WWII small size camo patterns and yet still have the capability to paint the whole a/c one color. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated

Hi, this is an often asked question and one that is impossible to answer. This is because an airbrush is a personal thing. I can tell you about my experience with this wonderful tool, but in the end it is really up to you. I would suggest that you don't rush in to buying one, at least get to handle ones you are contemplating buying. Alot of modellers use the Aztek airbrush, most are very happy with it, but it's not for me.
You basically have a choice of 2 types, single and double action. Single action, the trigger controls paint flow, double action, the trigger controls both air and paint. My first airbrush was a Badger 200, a single action, syphon feed (paint in a jar beneath the tip, sucked up through a tube). I have managed to mottle Luftwaffe aircraft, quite successfully with this brush, Take a look in my gallery, all the Luftwaffe aircraft there, except the Mistel, were painted using my Badger brush. I have used this airbrush for 20+ years and was very happy with it.
Having gained alot of experience on the badger and now understanding how these things work I realised that to be able to do finer and more intricate work I would require a double action gravity fed airbrush. The gravity fed is a, usually, fixed cup on top of the brush, near the tip. Because it's gravity fed you don't need so much air for it to work. Therefore you can be much more subtle with it. The double action aspect means you can position the brush, open the air nozzle, by pressing down on the trigger, then, gradually introduce paint, by pulling back on the trigger. The mottle on the Mistel, in my gallery, would have been, almost impossible to do with my Badger. My new airbrush is a Simair, Evolution, It's a double action gravity fed brush and comes with interchangeable tips, needles and cups. One of the tips is 0.4mm, the other is 0.2mm, with needles to suit. The cups are 5 and 2ml respectively. So far I have only used the smaller set up.
My compressor was free :-) rescued from a skip, by my brother and turned out to be worth about £800 :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) However you don't need to pay £800, but, idealy you do need one with; a holding tank, moisture trap and a regulator.
I do most of my airbrushing using under 1bar pressure(about 14 psi) when mottling under 1/2 a bar.
My airbrush cost more than you are looking to spend, but you don't need to spend that amount to get good results. Which ever brush you buy you will have to practice, practice, practice, did I say you wil have to practice. The main problem you will have with any airbrush is if you don't keep it clean, mine is very easy to clean.
I hope I haven't put you off. I would have normally advised that you choose a single action brush to begin with, because they are easier to use than double action. Having switch to a double action I actually find it easier. That might be down to years of using a single action, but they are different techniques.
As I say try and get a feel for the ones you are thinking about buying, if possible get to have a go with an airbrush.
Mal

Hi there

Finding an airbrush that's right for you is an incredibly personal thing and very hard for someone to advise you on.

As you've realised, getting a good compressor is as important as the airbrush. You won't get the best results from any airbrush (no matter how good it is) until you have a controllable air-supply - so a regulator and moisture trap are musts.

As for the airbrush itself, Mal's sounds great! I used a Badger 175T Crescendo for years and really loved it - it was very robust and took a lot of abuse.

I've still got it, but I now mostly use an Iwata Eclipse HP-BS - a very different feel... much more delicate after the big Badger.

But then a lot of people swear by Paasche or Testors / Aztec airbrushes - they all have their plus points. Definitely see if you can try before you buy.

Hope this helps

Rowan