Hey Glen,<div></div><div>I'm gonna have to say don't make a large investment in an airbrush......not unless you have other uses for it. I myself have a acquired a number of airbrushes from no-names to Iwatas (roughly + 20). While some people willrecommendIwatas or top of the line name brands simply because they are not only commonly thought of as quality airbrushes, but they carry a status that says "hey I'm aprofessionalor good," the airbrush isn't an enchanted sword waiting to garnish super abilities to it's user.For this particular hobby, airbrush use is really restrictive and many of the techniques that can be done with airbrushing is relied on washes and filters using brushes. So, a small cheapairbrushwould be the most logical purchase...simply for laying down base coats/camo and maybe depth.</div><div></div><div></div><div><u>Needle/nozzle</u></div><div>This is a big deal and very important and the soul of an artist airbrush.</div><div>.2mm needleis for very fine work period, fromextremelythin needle lines toCrayolamarker spray width. You'd have great difficulty trying to paint broad areas, usually used for pinstripingand graphic art.</div><div>.3mm needleis a good all around needle, from pencil line fine to somewhat broad spray pattern.</div><div>.4mm needleis a step above the .3mm which produces with a bit thicker pencil line to very broad spray.</div><div>.5 - .8mm needlesare for broad spray and no need for detail work.</div><div></div><div>Basically, for this type of hobby, having both .3mm and .4 or .5mm needles would be suitable.</div><div></div><div><u>Dual action/Single action</u></div><div>Dual action is recommended for adjustable spraying on the whim. Dual action will allow you to transition the lines or pattern of spray from fine to wide in one single stroke, while single action requires you to stop, adjust air flow nozzle and spray. (Think of Double action as a paint brush where lines and strokes can be varied and think of Single Action as a set of varied sized flat tip markers and if you want to vary the width line, you need to grab another marker)</div><div>Dual action requires an additional acquired skill and take a bit to get used to, practice, practice, practice, before you even begin on your tank.</div><div></div><div><u>Construction/Brand</u></div><div>Hey, who doesn't want to have the best? But ask yourself, is it practical? I could simply say, get a Badger, Iwata, Paasche, etc...but the fact of the matter is...they all work the same so go with a no name. Yes, Iwata's aresupremelymanufactured...make a nice little "clink" sound when the button lever is released and hits the brim of the body....but again, the end result is all the same and it's the only thing that matters. How long your airbrush lasts all depends on your ability to conduct proper care. I have a $15 dollar airbrush that I've owned for 14 years and still looks as though it was purchased yesterday. If properly cared for, any airbrush will likely out last its user, except the O ring.</div><div></div><div><u>Compressor</u></div><div>This isprobablythe most complicated and hardest decision of an airbrush, after all this is the heart. Aninadequateair flow will serve to be a problem pushing paint, even at theconsistencyof milk....an over do it air flow will push out paint so fast and so much, itdoesn'tmatter what needle you have, adjustments you made, etc...it's will just push out in fine and abundant mist and dry before it hits the canvas. What every you choose, you have to have a regulator and unless your going to push automotive paint, it needs to be able to have adjustment from 0-60psi.</div><div>I don'trecommendcanned air, it's costly and water flows through the line mixing with the paint and causingirregularity. Irecommendpneumaticpiston compressor with a holding tank. You can buy these specifically marketed for airbrushing or the cheapest way is to buy the compressor from a hardware store and purchase the regulator/moisture trap for it, you actually get more bang for your buck this way since most of the holding tanks are 2-5 gallons whereas compressors marketed for airbrushing have a 3/4 to 1 gallon holding tank.</div><div></div><div>There are other factors to produce good work like paintconsistency. appropriating pressure, user, etc....</div><div></div><div>All in all, I'd say go with a Master Brand. They're Iwata knock offs and built pretty well. If you want to go cheaper, order one at Harbor freight tools for 15 or so bucks.</div><div></div><div>Just to show you similarities, there is Master brand, Badger, Iwata's, Harbor Freight, Ace hardware airbrushes mixed in the photo. All of them function differently by means and only by means of the needle. Otherwise, they all perform the same.</div>