I am interested in getting an entrance level Air Brush Kit and Compressor; I still cover my planes in Iron-On Coverings, but I can see graduating to Glassing and painting one day; I build a lot of ARF's but I usually modify them and add some serious scale features, and would like to get away from the brush on or spary can techniques I use to paint Wheel Wells, Cockpits, Cowls, etc.

I went to Tower Hobby and was impressed by the wide range of stuff, brands, etc; but I am clueless as to what to get for a entance level and the limited painting I have described.

Look at the following link and tell what you think for a stater, basic set up:

A complete Airbrush and Compresor Kit from testors:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDEF4&P=0

Thanks.

In my opinion, I would go yo Home Depot (or Lowes) and get a "Husky" air compressor (1 gallon tank, 135psi max) for $99 (or something similar). Since the majority of air brushes use 25 - 30 psi for painting, this will provide you with about 10 - 15 minutes of non stop painting. (I doubt you will be painting much over 5 minutes non stop).

Couple this with a DECENT 2 stage air brush and you have a system that will last a lifetime plus I am certain you will find other uses for the compressor (car tires, kid's toys, etc)

I have used the Badger line for years. I really like the Badger 350 for detail and the cheapest one that Badger makes for the big area's. I use a CO2 tank and regulator for propel. No noise and clean. Good Luck. Dave

How big of a plane do you envision building in the future? That's a key to what you should buy as far as compressors go. For R/C, and anything from a .40 size up, an air brush really has very limited use. What you should be looking at are small automotive type touch-up guns for adequate paint volume. You can actually get some relatively cheap touch-up guns at Harbor Freight. Tower Hobbies sells a pretty nice little gun by Hobbico for about $50, see the following link. I have one and it looks in the picture to be some type of cheap plastic but it's actually metal.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXHEY0&P=SM

Also check these especially the last one. The first one is like the Badger 400 style siphon type touch up gun...the price is amazing. The last one is a starter set.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...?itemnumber=86

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94572

Enjoy...

You can get a dual action paasche for about $70 online..
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXDD38&P=ML

Get an airbrush compressor for $130 and you'll be set for a long time..
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXMCL5&P=7

oh and the line adaptor $4
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXXR22&P=7

I don't see anything about the testors setup I like..

I have the Badger 350 and I've been happy with it for 10 years now but I don't do fine detail work..
Just basic painting.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LX8170&P=7

I used to have a hobby compressor till the movers dropped it and cracked the head..
Now I just use my Dewalt 55155 compressor.. way overkill but it's a great all around compressor.

If you do go with a hobby compressor I'd recomend getting one of those portable air tanks,T it into the air line and add a regulator.
It will give you a nice reserve capacity and totally eliminate any pulsing from the compressor.

Any small air compressor with a tank and regulator will gave the same results but will be much louder.