newbie

Welcome!

Start with a basic kit that is one color, a Russian T-34 is a good simple tank that is usually just 1 color, Russian green. For the cost of one jar of hobby paint buy a can of Testor's Dark green in a rattle can.

Now before commiting paint to the model practice spraying something else. I like to 'test spray' a piece of wood and if it lays flat & shows the detail its ok for a model. A few light coats is better than 1 heavy coat.

*Not all rattle cans are created equal! If globs or lumps come out delegate that can to another use. Shake well, start spraying before the model & move smoothly across without stopping and stop spraying past the model. Hold approximately 6" away at a 90 degree angle.

With rattle cans over spray is unavoidable, leave details like tools off until base coat is on. Rubber tires will need to be brush painted & I recommend painting them before fastening to the model. The tracks can be a steel / rust / mud mix so paint them separate as well.

Now for the kit I recommend Tamiya's vintage T-34/76 M1943 kit # 59. The parts count is low as is the price, has a good fit & easy assembly with 'rubber band' style tracks. AVOID individual link tracks for your first build or two. The kit can be improved but that is not needed for your first model, OOB is just fine. (OOB = Out Of Box)

After you have a few COMPLETED models built then ponder if a airbrush suits your needs, many award winning models are painted with rattle cans. I am a rattle can modeler as I tend to get more satisfaction out of the build & scratch building than toiling with the painting process.

I could go on but the important thing is to have fun! Each model completed will gain experience & skill.

You should know to handle ordinary brush first before you use airbrush.

                                Welcome aboard.

                                                               Greg"Detailfreak"Rowley

Welcome Steve -- I highly doubt anyone will recommend brush painting for anything other than details, and for good reason.  However, spray painting does not automatically mean airbrushing.  Rattle cans work just fine, although after time can add up to a significant cost.  Depending on how deeply and how quickly you plan to dive into this, an airbrush might or might not be a better investment.  If you ask the fatal question, "Which airbrush and compressor/air supply should I buy?" be prepared to be buried in answers that will literally number in the hundreds.  Everyone has their own take on what they like, theirs is always the best brand or combination, and thus what you should buy.  Before you ask (or instead of asking), do some research on your own.  Then if need be, you will be better prepared to ask the right questions.  One of the things you really should know is how an airbrush actually works, what makes it function, and then how each type functions (there are only two types, internal mix and external mix -- anything beyond that is fluff).  It will help in the future when (not if) things go wrong.  It can also help you figure out which type suits your present and future needs (not wants).  Do some initial reading, then read this too  http://www.howtoairbrush.com/  Class dismissed.

welcome aboard, you have come to the right place. if its questions you got its answers we have , personally  i use an airbrush except for detail  . 

Definitely, learn to use an airbrush.  It's the best way to go, except for tiny details where you need to use a fine brush.

Welcome to the forums. The folks in the aircraft group are very helpful.

to the forum.

Ron

Welcome to the forum. As far as painting, the choice is yours, some folks brush paint while others AB. I find that for me AB results in a much better finish but that is because I am not good with the brush. (heck not that good with an AB but I try).

If you have specfic question try the search function to see if anyone else has asked the same question. If not fire away and we will do our best to help you.