Ian,

Thanks. What did you pay for yours? New?

I got it on sale in my LHS. I think I paid about $60-$70. I still have the box at home with the price sticker on it. Here is the same one I have on eBay going for $76:


[link]http://cgi.ebay.com/IWATA-Revolution-HP-CR-Gravity-Feed-AIRBRUSH-w-HOSE-Art-/390312332912?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ae06d 8e70#ht_3444wt_1139[/link]


Mine came in a bonus pack though and came with a can of Propellant and some other little things. I also use their water trap and highly recommend it:


[link]http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/201_245/products_id/35407/n/Iwata-Pistol-Grip-Moisture-Trap?utm_source=Google-Base&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Product-Feeds&source=google_ext[/link]

Check these guys out. Local off India Street

http://www.dickblick.com/products/grex-airbrushes/

I bought mine at Brookhurst Hobbies in California last year.

The way I explain brushes to people is like this, if you have good hand eye coordination then try a double action brush if not try a single action brush. If you want to learn then spend the time and money and buy a quality brush, all metal, spend what your comfortable with but don't be cheap, it will pay off and if you get good you will grow into your airbrush.

The Grex model TG throws a curve ball in the mix because it's like a single and double action brush and it's a trigger type grip. It took me a few passes to get the hang of it but I really like it.
The real deal with airbrushes in my opinion is learning your paint and keeping the brush in perfect shape. Understand how the paint likes to work and also which paints your brush likes to shoot. There have been times when I have found certain combos are not that good meaning certain needles or nozzle combos and the paint consistency or air pressure produce a poor finish etc. It's an art, you have to practice it and experiment so you learn your own tricks. If you have a buddy that can show you a thing or two that is a big help, I didn't so I learned by doing it first with illustrations and then models and so on.

Iwata makes a great brush, made in Japan, very precise, that was my very first airbrush. I was spoiled I learned on the best. Today that is still very true and you cant go wrong buying an Iwata for your first brush but research them and figure out what your application is so you don't buy a brush that's too small in capacity for your use.

I think you guys will find that the trigger type mini touch up gun airbrush style suites our needs for these big planes better than the traditional illustrators airbrush which is what most brushes are based on. it's a personal thing but I tried it and I feel like it's better and easier to use something like the Grex TG than a typical brush.
More comfortable hand position higher volume and fine to broad spray range says it all. If you need finer lines you can change out the needle and nozzle in the same brush. If you need more paint volume you use a bigger cup. It's just very versatile.

Hope this helps if you guys need any painting tips be sure and ask on here there are a lot of talented guys who will help.

Sweet F-15 Ian...

What model? Do you like? I'm thinking of someday doing an F15...

Thanks

Z

Does the Iwata HP-CR have a needle stop on it? I have a Pasche dual action and it allows me to set a stop for the needle/trigger which allows a constant amout of paint every time just by pulling the trigger all the way back to the stop....nice for shooting a larger area with a constant spray.

I have an Aztek and I find it to be messy, hard to clean, and inconsistent. Looks like a Iwata is in my future.

Iwata