(Part 2) Top products from r/modelmakers

Well, in that case, if you are going to do that, I don't recommend buying an airfix starter set (it's discussed below for completeness, but while the set of paint and cement is appealing, you'll end up throwing it all away later on aside from the paintbrush). The paints included in there almost certainly will not work well.

Go to a hobby store or something, buy a cheap airfix kit (I recommend either the Harrier FRS.1, Zero, Spitfire PR.XiX (all in 1/72), go to an art store to buy some Golden Talkon brushes (it's the name of the material; its' a super soft orangey bristle), and buy some paints (acrylic, plus a bottle of spray primer), while you're there.

See this old thread below of another beginner (though he was interested in sci fi), of tools you would need.

**That list is configured for the UK.

If you want to build plastic models, I recommend a recently issued spitfire model from Airfix, a few bottles of good, brushable paint (Model Master Acrylic is good, if you use a spray primer), and a few "golden talkon" synthetic brushes, plus tweezers and an exacto knife.

The basic starter sets you can buy are these:

Italeri: http://www.austinsmodels.co.uk/product.php/italeri_jas_39_gripen_172_scale_starter_kit/?k=:::6142968

Airfix: http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/starter-sets-and-gift-sets/small-starter-sets.html.

These are gear towards children, and the quality of the paints are marginal at best. However, what it will do is give you an idea of the challenge ahead.

And some liquid cement.

As for why the long list below, there is an alternative:

Airfix, Revell Germany, Heller, and Italeri ALL make starter kits with paint and cement. However, the stuff in those are generally designed to appeal to children and would have to largely be replaced once you are "serious" about this.

The tools I recommended are more for if you're investing in the hobby for the long run with reusable, useful items you can continue to use for long periods of time.

However, if you are unsure, there's nothing wrong with one of those complete package kits. Warning though, Airfix's start kit paint is absolute garbage. but water soluble and easy to clean up. Strippable with alcohol, at least in the formulation I got a year ago.

And here's how I'd set it up:

1. Airfix Spitfire PR XIX. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Airfix-A02017-Supermarine-Spitfire-PRXIX/dp/B0021L9BNI/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1442369626&sr=8-13&keywords=airfix+spitfire,
   OR: Airfix FRS 1 Harrier: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Airfix-A04051-BAe-Harrier-FRS1-x/dp/B0021L9BU6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1442370019&sr=8-4&keywords=1%2F72+FRS.1
   **you'll notice a theme developing. These are all mostly single color builds, minus some detail work.
   
   
2. Brush pack: Get all the listed sizes, and then one 1/4th inch brush (go to an art store. Golden Talkon synthetic (orangish, really soft) is what you're looking for). http://www.amazon.co.uk/Royal-Langnickel-Golden-Taklon-Synthetic/dp/B000X213JC/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1442369689&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=golden+talkon+brush+10%2F0.
   
   Or, this: http://www.amazon.com/Royal-Langnickel-Taklon-Brush-Super/dp/B001ARHH7G (probably the better choice).
   
   
3. Knife: in the UK, Swann Morton is probably easier to get.
   
   
4. Cement: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tamiya-87038-Extra-Thin-Cement-Toy/dp/B000BMYWYC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442369769&sr=8-1&keywords=tamiya+extra+thin Sandpaper pack: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Albion-Alloys-Sanding-Sticks-360/dp/B00DRAEV0A/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1442369797&sr=8-5&keywords=sanding+sticks
   
   
5. Paint is preferably acrylic, so long as it's not Humbrol Acrylic, because that paint is utter garbage (and is what comes with the starter sets and bad, tube-based poly cement).
   
   
6. Consider a can of spray primer (NECESSARY if you use Model Master Acrylic, which brushes well but NEEDS a primer).
   http://www.amazon.co.uk/Humbrol-150ml-Acrylic-Spray-Primer/dp/B004T8TD0C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442369901&sr=8-1&keywords=humbrol+primer
   or: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vallejo-Model-Color-Polyurethane-Primer/dp/B004BN5RYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442369935&sr=8-1&keywords=vallejo+primer
   
   
7. Or best primer: http://www.amazon.co.uk/GRAY-PRIMER-180ml-PLASTIC-METAL/dp/B0000WS014/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1442369976&sr=8-2&keywords=tamiya+primer
   Other items:
   
   
8. A bottle of humbrol "Clear" (the substitute for Future/Johnson's floor polish in the UK). Decal setting solution (optional) Decalfix, Micro Sol will work. (In the US, Future is a gloss coating used by modelers, painted on or sprayed on before applying decals, available here: https://www.amazon.com/SC-Johnson-Pledge-Multi-Surface-Finish/dp/B000ARPH4C/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1468023141&sr=8-2&keywords=pledge+floor+care
   
   **Future can be found in hardware and places like walmart in the US, there is no need to order it online except for convenience.
   
   
   
   
   
   

This hobby is a huge money/time sink if you want to do realistic models. To learn all the skill required takes years, and a lot of materials are used in the process.

I'm not sure what's your budget, but I'd start with simple 1/35 single colored military vehicles. Tamiya has a great range of kits with older tooling, and they can be bought for 15-25 dollars. They are not the best quality wise, but they still hold their own, and better then lots of modern kits. Bang for buck they are the best IMO.

Few examples:

https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-Models-Russian-T-34-Tank/dp/B000LFSIV2?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_8888336011

https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-Models-Armored-Sdkfz-Model/dp/B000WN6SRE?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_8888336011

https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-Models-Pzkfw-Ausf-Model/dp/B000WN5AF0

https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-Models-A6M2-Fighter-Model/dp/B000QSBXHK

https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-Models-Russian-T-62-Model/dp/B000WBBVX2

(You can find these everywhere, amazon is just an example)


If you select your kit, you can check the main colors in the handbook, or on scalemates.com. Buy them as you need them, you will have a good set of colors after a few kits, and be ready for most camo patterns if you choose carefully. Use water based acrylics, like Revell aqua or Vallejo model color, because you can thin them with water. Tamiya paints need thinner, so they are more expensive to start with.

I'd suggest soviet armor, or german ww2 armor, because green and grey/dark yellow are base colors you'll always need.

EDIT: For the other tools, you need to get 4 things at start. A hobby knife, a panel cutter, some brushes and some cement. Tamiya extra thin, or Revell contacta(this is included in their starter kits or can be bought seperately.) are both great.

The other things like pigments, washes etc can wait. Buy them as you get better, and master the most basic stuff, like using cement, thinning paint, brushing...

Its an endearing model because every modeler has one like it. Pretty good job for being a first kit!

As for airbrushes... I started with the super cheap Master brand airbrush. Later on I got a Japanese made Iwata. I can say that buying the Master airbrush + compressor is the perfect starter. This is a good example: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Performance-Airbrushing-Dual-Action-Airbrush/dp/B0017640RK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1482902837&sr=8-7&keywords=airbrush+compressor+tank

You get an airbrush that will be a perfect starter and a good compressor that will last you into your next step up airbrush.

I recommend staying with acrylic paints-- just easier to work with.

For putty, to fill seams with, I also recommend Perfect Putty. It's water based so it's easy to clean up and work with. You put some on a tray and use a toothpick to apply to a gap or seam, then wipe excess off with brush or finger. After it dries you can use sandpaper or a wet cottonswab to remove excess.

https://www.amazon.com/DELUXE-MATERIALS-DLXBD044-Perfect-Plastic/dp/B0076LAVFK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1482902965&sr=8-2&keywords=hobby+putty

What is your next kit?

Firstly, as it was me that recommended that video I'd like to add, for the benefit of the more experienced members of this group, the caveat that yes, I know the techniques in the video are rough and ready as hell, but OP asked for absolute beginner level advice and that's what's given.

So, at 4:36 they're applying a primer from an aerosol can (probably this one). He doesn't prime or paint most of the other parts because mostly the plastic is already the right colour but doing this adds a little visual interest and helps differentiate the cockpit from the rest of the kit.

At 8:26 he's using a cotton bud with the thinner you mention to clean off the excess panel line wash. Personally I would have done this before applying the decals. Speaking of which, decal set and sol will ease and improve the application of your decals but they're not strictly necessary. Warm tap water will work just fine for now.

At 09:26 and 12:10 he's applying varnishes (both matte, I believe). These are used to seal in what's underneath and protect them from future stages. The first to seal in the wash and the second to seal in the weathering powders because otherwise they'd rub off every time you handled the model. Again, I wouldn't say they're necessary as such but I'd recommend applying one between the washes and the powders because otherwise you risk contamination of the little brush set. And again, ideally you'd use an airbrush to apply the varnishes but any model shop should have them in aerosol cans. Just make sure to apply it as a light mist rather than drowning it.

http://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-74016-Basic-Tool-Set/dp/B000BMYWXI/

This is the only basic tool set I know of.

That said, I would recommend getting a nice spruce cutter:
http://www.amazon.com/Xuron-2175ET-Professional-Sprue-Cutter/dp/B001TMZ7QA/

X-acto knifes are essential, such as the #2 large blade which is probably the most essential tool you will need.
http://www.amazon.com/X-ACTO-Knife-Cap-Silver-X3602/dp/B000V1QV7O/

Other miscellaneous tools you should get: Q-tips, fine and regular for cleaning tools, weathering with pigments, etc. Fine-tipped tweezers are also very useful. I recommend using Tamiya's extra thin cement, as well as regular cyanoadhesives for painted parts on your model. You will also definitely want some sanding tools, I recommend going to the Dollar Tree or w/e and getting a bunch of medium and fine nail filing sticks. They are cheap and work excellent on models. Tamiya also makes a line of very fine grit sandpaper (1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 2500, etc.) that can make a nice polished surface, as well as sand down thick paint.

Take it slow, then. Spend a lot of time looking at it really closely and absorbing the detail. Listen to sad music while you build (I usually do). Consider how nice it is that there are actually things in the world that fit together and make sense (and since this is a kit from Revell Germany it's probably quite good, and the directions should be easy to follow and sensibly written). Get some liquid model cement like this: http://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Cement-For-Plastics-1-15oz/dp/B0006N6ODS ...and some acrylic model paints from a hobby shop or online (Vallejo paints are quite nice, and acrylics clean up with water and won't stink out your room) and maybe a spraycan of some kind of gloss coat-- Testor's makes a decent glosscoat lacquer, and there are others out there too. Test fit before gluing. Use tiny amounts of glue, applied with a toothpick or something similar. Don't use model cement on the clear parts, though-- use good ol' Elmer's Glue (I think-- check our wiki to be sure) and if the clear parts are a little iffy, dip them in Future floor polish ("Pledge with Future Shine"-- it's like a magical model-building liquid). If you mess this one up, there are other kits out there, and you can learn from this one so the next one will be better.

We have a wiki with a lot of general info that may answer other questions, or just ask: http://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/wiki/index

A few tips to help you out OP:

1. Thin your paint. Generally, 50/50 is good starting point. For future note, buy paint brush cleaner and thinner at your local hardware store. Far cheaper and generally works fine.
   
   
2. You should get an Xacto knife and a flush side cutter like this. Use the flush cutters to get the parts off the spruce, and use the Xacto knife to clean it up. The box cutters you have don't give good control and unergonomic for most modeling work.
   
   
3. If you have a Michele's close by, get their general purpose assortment paintbrush pack. This gives you the flat brushes and quite a bunch of other brushes. The flat brushes are ideal for applying primer/base coat.
   
   
4. Go to your hardware store or automotive store and get an assortment pack of sandpaper.
   
   
5. The kit directions aren't always the way to go. When doing tanks/armor and most kits in general, I recommend following a modular approach. So for tanks, paint your road wheels, hull, etc before gluing it together. This makes it a hell of a lot easier to paint.
   
   
6. You should definitely buy some filler. You'll need it to fill larger gaps the glue won't be able to deal with.
   
   edit:
   
   A few other useful items you should get either now or later, most of this you should have around the house already:
   
   

• A fine point tweezers. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Anti-Static-Flat-Tweezers-Electronic-Repair/dp/B00880EDIO/
  
  
• Toothpicks
  
  
• Cotton swabs
  
  
• Compressed air can
  
  
• If you don't have good light in where ever you setup to work, get a good desk lamp
  
  
• A cutting mat like this: http://www.amazon.com/Alvin-Professional-Cutting-Green-Black/dp/B0015AOIYI/
  

You're going to find that you can either get some decent gear upfront for a realistic price, or you can go cheap and have to replace poorly performing gear almost immediately, which is the expensive way to go. These items below come in within your listed budget and will give you good service for years.

Get a compressor with a tank. Those cheap air compressors may save you thirty dollars upfront, but you're really going to regret having that on-demand-only air pressure bobbing up and down and screwing up your air flow. This Master TC-20T is a good buy. Get the TC-40T for twenty dollars more if you're going to want to do other types of spray paint art in the future. This one has more endurance before heating up. I own one of these and they are quality gear at a good price.

Get a decent starter air brush. This Iwata Neo Dual Action is good for a starter and yet isn't too expensive so if you screw it up you won't break the bank. At the same time, the machining of the parts is much, much better than those cheap Master sets which really aren't good at all. Granted, you may get lucky and get a good-yet-cheap Master air brush, but more likely than not, you'll spend most of your time trying to get the thing to give you a spray without splatter.

Get a quick release coupling set for the airbrush. Having to use a wrench to attach the air brush gets old really, really fast -- like immediately -- and the ten or so bucks makes it a great deal. Iwata-Medea Quick Disconnect Set

Okay, thanks. What else would I need.. THe knife and the primer for now? Thats it? You dont know how much i appreciate this. ALso is this a good model? Im looking for something hard to put together, but also includes paints and is in my price range. This is the best ive got. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055ANWKA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1Y0OWTP8E47U9&psc=1




Also are there any other vehicles that include the paints that arent a plane? Just asking because my son and I both love a lot more vehicles than we love planes

I've been working on this Airfix one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0055ANRZ0

Details are quite nice for a 1/72, but there are definitely some fit issues. For example:
- I had to file away the soles of the pilot's feet and also the rudder pedals in order for him to fit into the cockpit
- the upper surfaces of the wings needed a lot of material removed at the wing root in order to line up correctly

The supplied paints are ok, but limited in number. eg, pilot uniform should be blue, his face flesh-toned, Mae West and propellor tips yellow, cockpit interior pale green. But I kind of welcomed these issues. I mixed my own colors where I could, bought some additional (Vallejo) paints where I felt they be useful on future models, learned how to file & sand, use putty, etc. It's been worthwhile.

All good advice you've received so far.

I'd also get some sprue cutters (also called flush cutters) - they are like wire cutters except one side of the blades is flat so you can cut near to the part and leave little or no attachment point. If there is one, file it off as /u/warlock27 suggests.

You can usually find cheap ones online or in a hobby shop, here's some on Amazon so you know what I'm referring to:

https://www.amazon.com/Xuron-2175ET-Professional-Sprue-Cutter/dp/B001TMZ7QA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478566221&sr=8-1&keywords=sprue+cutter

(sorry for the long link)

Otherwise a hobby knife is good for part removal too, and cleaning up any parts.

It will snap together fine, I've built a couple of similar models and am surprised how well they fit and click together. But can't hurt to get some plastic cement - Tamiya Extra Thin is usually the top recommendation.

Plus may be an idea to get some small needle-nosed pliers and tweezers for handling small parts - again either from a hobby shop or most electronics, craft or hardware stores will have something (or chemist/drugstore for tweezers).

u/didgeboy and u/Monti21 make valid points. I picked up an inexpensive air compressor and cheap airbursh from Amazon. While the compressor is has turned out to be very nice - quiet, easily adjustable - I upgraded to an Iwata Neo and haven't touched the cheap airbrush since. I've picked up a second Neo, and am now looking to buy something for more detailed work. Paint flow through the better airbrushes is much more consistent. I've really enjoyed the learning curve!

i geussed it was probably on the box but i was hoping there was a way to check before hand so i dont need to wait for the kit and check then buy it and have to wait for days for the paint but im getting this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tamiya-35-PzKfw-Ausf-35096/dp/B000WN5AF0?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1#customerReviews also note the product detail "contains 3 boy faces" lol

Try searching 'Airfix starter set plane' into Amazon (as lower down you mentioned he might want a plane). Here's a couple links to some kits and a website.



https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0055ANRZ0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505592825&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=airfix+starter+set+plane&dpPl=1&dpID=51tgEb5xyiL&ref=plSrch



https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0071LF3NA/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505592825&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=airfix+starter+set+plane&dpPl=1&dpID=514HTpYqDML&ref=plSrch



https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00LA09ULE/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1505592939&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=airfix+starter+set&dpPl=1&dpID=6167fSO3yZL&ref=plSrch



https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/themes/starter-sets-and-gift-sets.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpJW7jcOq1gIVApPtCh1yFgILEAAYASAAEgI-jvD_BwE


Sorry for the super long links, but I hope they're useful ( and I'm not too late to the party)

The side cutters are cheap ones from amazon

Micro Cutter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FZPDG1K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_P4PzDbEY3W097

The two black tweezers, square file and sanding sponge came in a crappy tool set I found on amazon.

Something like this set: Keadic 43Pcs Gundam Modeler Basic Tools Craft Set for Professional Model Assemble Building (Kit 4) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NMH65RV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_i8PzDbJNHPJ2M

None of the tools are great but they will do until I can afford better stuff. There’s a lot of stuff you will want if you are going to paint your models and most of it is cheap but adds up. Thiners, primers, paints, brushes, clear coats etc.

This is my station now
https://i.imgur.com/5HPJfTq.jpg

The main FAQ is a good resource but if you are lazy (like me) this is what you need for a start.

To assemble:
Hobby knife,
Cement

To paint:
Small Paintbrush,
White, Black, or Grey Primer spray paint
Water

I personally recommend the Airfix starter kits for a newbie. They come with the paints and paintbrush you need, they aren't extreme high quality, but they are great for a beginner, and they are cheap.

This is one of their more popular beginner sets. There are cheaper ones aswell. Its kind of a fact that you ruin the first few models you build in one way or another, so don't beat yourself up about it. Try it out and when you finish be sure to post pics!

Basically, when a compressor has an air tank it gives you a steadier supply of air, less pulsations, while also extending the life of the compressor itself.

The AS186 that /u/whatsmyloginagain brought up is similar to this:
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrush-Model-TC-40T-Single-Piston/dp/B00WBT7PTW/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=master+airbrush+compressor&qid=1563943691&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Compressors that have more than one piston also provide more airflow and less pulsations. You're basically buying a very basic compressor for a premium price if you choose the grex bundle. I'm sure the grex has better quality control, but the majority of people who have purchased tankless compressors (including myself) have come to regret it.

On the airbrush front, I second what whatsmyloginagain brought up. Buying an Infinity is basically buying a top tier brush for this hobby and gunpla. I'd recommend looking at Mr Hobby/GSI Creos airbrushes before you decide to purchase an Iwata, as theres a 99% chance they're made by the same company. Check out spraygunner.com if you want to browse through the Mr Hobby line. Alternatively, you could order straight from a Japanese hobby shop and save a couple of dollars, but lose out on any sort of customer support.

As monkeys says, I recently did an Airfix starter set. I was between houses so had very little stuff.

I bought a Airfix Electric English Lightning. If you search for Airfix starter sets you’ll find other options.

I used minimal tools:

• X-Acto craft knife
  
• Needle files
  
• Sanding sponge
  
• Sprue cutters
  
  You could find some of that grouped into one product if you look about like this.
  
  There’s some good YouTube videos to help a new user like this one from Airfix themselves making their own Spitfire starter kit.
  
  So here’s my album of what I used. And here’s the finished Electric Lightning.

If your okay with Star Wars the Bandai kits are the best of both worlds for being incredibly beginner friendly and also amazingly detailed. Most of the 1/72 kits are in the 25 dollar range and the 1/144 kits are half that. They don't actually require glue as they are designed to fit together very nicely and tight enough to not need it. You can paint them as well but most of them have colored plastic (for the 1/72s) and stickers if your not comfortable with fully painting something.

My personal favorite of theirs is the Star Destroyer / Super Star Destroyer combo that was released recently. The X-Wing is a classic as well.

Got some of this and was able to spray paint the Model Master Deep Sea Blue over it successfully. This stuff really smells, however, so I ordered some of this hoping it will be a little nicer to work with.

IIRCC, Tamiya has only a glossy clear spray. The only ones I know are these:

• Testors Flat Spray
  
• Testors Glosscote Spray
  
• Tamiya Clear Spray
  
  I've used Tamiya rattle cans in the past, and they are pretty fool-proof. And the Testors products are used by a lot of people, so I doubt they're much harder to use.

After you finish building and doing the primary paint, put on a coat of Future (that is the brand)- it will be shiny, but this will help protect the model and let you decal and weather it easier. After you get the decals on and your weathering (including panel lines), you can go shiny with another coat of Future, or go matte (normal) with a spray matte finish ($few at your local model store, or here is the one I like).

Invest in some good side cutters and some sanding sticks. . Don’t stress if you make mistakes, just do your best to finish the model. You’ll learn a lot just by getting it finished as best you can. Then try another kit.

I got one of these a couple years ago and have been very happy with it. I bought one that had a factory blemish, so it was about $50 cheaper than what Amazon wants for a new one. I'm sure if you shop around, you can find one cheaper.

Use good glue like the kind that comes with a precision applicator or a liquid glue for joining shell halves or panels. Watch a few youtube videos on gluing.

Do not use the crappy tube glue.

If you're using Testors, go with their Model Master line. This one in particular. The cement comes out a long steel tube about the size of a pin, so the flow is much easier to control. These come with two rods to clear any blockages as well.

A pair of flush-cut nippers was a game-changer for me. I find they're extremely helpful for removing the parts from the sprues. Something like these should work fine while you're starting out.

I spray Model Air at around 8-12 psi with a Badger Sotar for doing freehand camouflage. It would appear you need to thin your paint for one as the other posts have said (I can see splatter on the fuselage) and get a regulator for your airbrush compressor. Or buy one that has a regulator. As for a compressor, I use a Badger one. It’s AMAZING.

. Badger Air Compressor.

Tamiya make a good Willys Jeep - the more recent version is item # 35219. Amazon link. Get him some Tamiya extra thin cement, an x-acto knife, and consider a starter set of model paints. For brush painting I suggest Vallejo Model Color paints - basic colors for the jeep would be something like black, white, olive drab green and a brown.

If going the spray can route, I'd also recommend one of black paint, as the Redstone, Saturn Ib, and Saturn V all have large chunks of black.


Sprue cutters would also be a good investment, too.

I bought this ONE
about 4 months ago and have built about 6 kits with it and it has performed great.

You don't need anything heavy duty for airbrushing, but get one with a tank for sure.

I use this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KNDQCM but it seems to no longer be available. It's quiet enough that I can close a door and barely hear it from the other room. Cost around $80, so target a price in that area.

From what I've read the expensive 'name brand' ones don't seem to be worth the extra price and you should just be prepared to replace the compressor every few years.

Do you know if the Testors is any good? I've also had people tell me you can't use lacquers over acrylics, is this true?

or you could save $40

https://www.amazon.com/OLFA-9911-Compass-Circle-Cutter/dp/B000BK7NWC/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543186319&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=thunderline+circle+cutter

I bought this compressor along with a Iwata Neo airbrush and a 6' hose. Came out to around 150$ total.

That compressor's like a 3rd the cost of some other compressors with the same features. And while it's only been a month, I haven't had a single issue with it.

Something like this? Liquid Surface White Primer 40ml Bottle Tamiya https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000R9N5W4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_6hNFybH2V8941

These may be of some use to you.

Be gentle sanding as well, you dont want to take off any detail. Ive done that :(

Measure and draw would work too! Actually that's what I did for the roundels -- found comparable sized circle shapes around the bench (bottle cap, pencil eraser, etc) and used them to trace circles onto the tape to cut out the roundel stencils. Figured out later that a compass cutter probably would have saved a lot of time and been more precise.

It’s part of the Airfix 1/72 double pack. Came with glue, paint and two models. The other one was a Zero.

Here’s a link in amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055ANWKA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_CnCiyxqpNKcYC

Just a forwarning they are a bit louder than the air compressors that are specifically built for airbrushes but I just keep mine in a different room with a long hose. You will also need a coupler along with the hose. Here's the links to AZ where I got my hose/coupler: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQO8W4 and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001P5S5CO

Maybe Bandai

Bandai Hobby Sword Fish II Cowboy Bebop, Bandai Action Figure https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012HJDBM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uBl9AbTCGT9Y6

http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN991406/Sci

http://www.imageanime.com/1xstpmo.html

http://www.amazon.com/Bandai-Star-Wars-Wing-Starfighter/dp/B00O3RUTNO/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1420442952&sr=1-1&keywords=bandai+xwing

You need some of this.

https://www.amazon.com/Vallejo-Airbrush-Improver-200ml-Paint/dp/B00QD780G0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482515101&sr=8-1&keywords=vallejo+airbrush

Then maybe add a few drops of retarder...

https://www.amazon.com/Vallejo-VJ70597-Acrylic-Paint-Retarder/dp/B000PH9JP0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482515136&sr=8-1&keywords=vallejo+retarder

Airbrush Flow Improver
edit spelling

Pretty sure it's this old kit from Bandai: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012HJDBM

The price there btw is highway robbery for what this kit is. It's a no-grade Bandai kit from 2007 that was made in Korea, not Japan. It's the kind of kit that would have originally sold for a third of this asking price: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10012749

Problem is, it's so old and out of print that the prices get inflated to dumb levels, so good luck finding one.

I have an Iwata Revolution CR, that same compressor just a different name, and a quick connect from TCP Global from one of their airbrushes (which I would not recommend by the way).

Not sure if it's available on amazon UK but here is a quick disconnect it has a 1/8 inch connector which is the same as that compressor.

Though I'm not sure by what they mean with an adapter plug. Power plug maybe since UK is on 240V?

Edit: Words

Here is an example of a "side cutter":

https://www.amazon.com/Integy-Hop-ups-Precision-Modelers-Plastic/dp/B00W4172V8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505567090&sr=8-2&keywords=side+cutter

Liquid glue (random sales listing I chose, unsure if cheapest):
https://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-87038-Extra-Thin-Cement/dp/B000BMYWYC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505567173&sr=8-2&keywords=tamiya+extra+thin+cement

Example of sanding sticks (prices will vary, more than one brand available probably):
https://www.amazon.com/Squadron-Products-Value-Sanding-Stick/dp/B000CDR5K8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1505567224&sr=8-4&keywords=sanding+stick