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I do agree

the fine art (and sickening madness ) of modeling.

  I've always believed that to be a ship modeler, you first have to view "sickening madness" as....."therapy".

 First let me say glad to see that you returned to the fine art (and sickening madness ) of modeling. With that said my favorite tool that I seem to never have enough of the the forceps,all different shapes lengths and styles. But if you do want to dress the kit up some with PE ( photo etched) parts I like the flat square end needle nose pliers you can't go wrong with those. I hope that helps a little. Remember If you have any problems don't hesitate to ask. Happy modelling to ya.

EdGrune,

Thank you for the detailed advice.  I really appreciate it.

The Revell 1:400 scale USS Enterprise is actually the old Aurora model from the mid-60s.   So you have not missed anything during your absence from the hobby.   Revell obtained the molds through several mergers and acquisitions.   The molds have not been greatly updated since Aurora first released them. 

Also, since there are no dedicated aftermerket detail sets for this kit in the way of photoetch parts and few to none replacement aircraft -- you are pretty much free to build the kit using the old materials & methods which you are familiar.   

I built the Aurora kit when I was 15.  Unless you get wrapped around the axle trying to update, correct, and improve the model - it isn't too much to bite off.   It you plan to do any of these -- reconsider your purchase.

Paint -- you can pretty much paint it with a rattlecan.   The specification of US Navy Haze gray is FS 26270.    Testors Model Master Neutral Gray is 36270.   The difference is satin (former) vs flat (latter) finsh.   Deck,  you can go with a Gunship Gray for that.

Glue -- Your old standby tube glue has pretty much gone by the wayside.    Use one of the newer liquid glues such as Tenax, or Tamiya.   I use MEK from the hardware store.    I also use CA -- Superglue.    While the little tubes from the hardware store will fill the bill -- but I use a hobby store house brand (its cheaper in the long run).   I am cheap.

Tools -- your basic Xacto knife and nail files (I buy mine fron Sally Beauty Supply -- they're about 1/4 the price of the ones sold with a hobby logo  -- so maybe I'm not cheap, but frugal).