I've been building model cars (1:24 &1:25 scale) since I was a kid,
well, when I was a kid and started again recently. I have just recently
purchased an airbrush but have not used it yet because I work with
enamels and don't have a spray booth finished yet. but anyways...
A lot can be done with brushes and spray cans.
I have an assortment of sizes regarding paint brushes, as small as 000 or 30/0 up to 1/2".
I use an assortment of sizes of masking tapes, from the 1/8" automotive
pinstriping tape up to masking sheets. I even make templates, it all
depends on what I'm painting - stripes, flames, etc...
Just because people use an airbrush to normally paint certain things... doesn't mean you can't paint it with brush or can.
How did they do it before they owned an airbrush? LOL
Example:
For a camouflage effect you could cut out different shapes from a
template material (even heavy paper or cardboard works), hold it free
hand just slightly above the subject and spray pointing towards the
middle of the cutout. The result will be a soft edge of paint overflow.
Or hold it down close for a slightly sharper/cleaner edge.
It's all about learning how to control the paint flow.
P.S.
I am bothered by smells easily. But using those small 1/4oz. Testor or
slightly bigger (1/2oz.?) Model Master bottles of enamel paints and
cleaning up with a decent quality oderless mineral spirits (paint
thinner) doesn't bother me. My son and I usually work at our kitchen
table, rarely do we have to crack a window open. I think it's the glue
that gets me the most, Testors red tube. I keep a small jar (similar to
a small baby food jar) with a tight fitting lid on the table full of
the thinner for brush cleaning. We only open it when cleaning from one
color to the next. Helps keep the oder down I think...