RE: What materials do I really need to build?
The basics will also include a building board that can accept the T-pins, is flat, and large enough to host your model. You'll also find useful:
a 48" straightedge , a 12" ruler, a 6" ruler
a builders square
a few sanding blocks of various sizes (that you can attach your sandpaper too)
hobby knives (#2 xacto, #11xacto are my favs) and a Xacto razor saw
wax paper
Drill and bits
Various, small hand tools (flat/philips, allen keys, etc)
Pen, pencil, Sharpie marker
This is pretty much standard fare for kit building.