best airbrush for model ships

Dr. Tilley never owned one, but then he only built a dozen or so models.

I bring that up because He was old school brush painter.

But, in the Steel Navy world, it makes more sense.

I have a Badger 105 gravity cup double action airbrush and I like it.

I think a major part of picking an airbrush is how it feels in your hand. The Badger is really skinny, a tube.

Bill

In my view only certain aircraft camo need really good quality airbrush.

Ships don't require finness to paint, and any cheap $30-50 airbrush from ebay or your auto shop will do just fine (0.3 nozzle for 1/700 and perhaps higher for larger scale, though the cup size is more important), no need for 0.2 or lower as the smaller the nozzle, more sensitive it is to paint mixture.

I rarely hear people complain about iwata, being a brand of quality - if it constantly give you trouble, maybe check for alternative paint mixture/moisture trap/pressure setting. 

I'm using a Badger 105 Patriot with a larger paint cup.  It's a double action.  I like it, it sprays broad but can do some fine work.   I also have a Badger. 360 Omni  which I would call a 105 brush with the trick o having the barrel rotatable so that it is either a small gravity feed or siphon feed.   The siphon feed is handy when you need a volume of paint from a bottle (200 scale hulls).    I have a Sotar 20/20 which I think I've used twice on aircraft. 

I Learned to airbrush using a 20 dollar Harbor Freight dual action special.   It was good for its purpose, a cheap learner.  I learned mixing and air pressure and spray techniques, but I found it had it limits.   Now I only use it for things like spraying Future.   

I like Badger,  American made and their brushes have a lifetime warranty.  Return them to Badger to be fixed or tuned up.   Labor is free, parts are 60% off.  You do need to pay shipping both ways 

I ordinarily use my Badger 200 for ships.  I have a DA 150 that I use only for when I truly need a DA brush, which isn't very often on ships.  I find the SA brush easier to clean, and easier to set a constant paint flow- I adjust the needle and relax and just push airbutton all the way down.  I am on my second 200- first one lasted forty years.  Don't like the new 200s- cheaper construction- hope this one lasts as long as the first.

Rob,

I have four Iwatas and have never had an issue with any of them, which is why I’m amazed you’ve had nothing but problems with yours. In fact I have a HP-B that’s close to 40 years old. I also have two Paasches which are my workhorses. They take a beating but keep on working. 

I’ve used Badger airbrushes a number of times in the past and those are also nice and reliable. 

I have my eye on a Harder and Steenbeck for really fine work and I have to say they are amazing but pricey. They feel great in your hand and spray beautifully.

Steve

I'm with steve , I have a HP C PLUS , and a neo both are great .

I should also have said I have a couple of ship modeling friends who do not have an airbrush.  Ships are one genre you can get away out an airbrush (the other is WW1 aircraft).  However, I personally find SA airbrushing is actually easier than good brush painting once you get thinning ratio and pressure worked out.