Returning to model building. Need help and/or suggestions.

Welcome to FSM.

Modeling in 1:700, I usually use gap-filling CA for ships (planes, too).  Sometimes I use plain old white glue (Elmer's), especially for small parts that won't be stressed.  It hold about as well as CA in some applications, especially to painted surfaces; is easier to clean up; and if the part pops loose, you can clean and reglue easily.

Some useful websites include:

http://www.modelshipgallery.com/index1.html

http://www.shipcamouflage.com/index.htm

http://www.navsource.org/

http://mikeashey.com/BOOK-FIRST-SHIP.htm

There are others, and you can locate them by googling the specifc ship or even the specific model to see what has been done, and how, by previous builders.

I'll comment on the painting.  If you do not have a dedicated area, I believe an airbrush and small compressor would be far more practical than spray cans.  The overspray from a spray can is considerable.  You can adjust an airbrush spray. I use it pretty cranked down and have very little overspray.  I have a spray booth for when I do rattlecan spraying, but just airbrush at my normal workbench.  My compressor has a footprint less than a foot square. It sits on a little stand next to workbench, but could go on the bench.

People get the wrong idea about airbrushes sometimes. It is more similar to a regular small paint brush than to a spraygun.  Yeah, I have very ocasionally gotten some overspray on the work bench but that is rare. A sheet of cardboard laid over half the bench takes care of that when I remember to use it, but most of the time I don't even use it and still normally do not get overspray on bench, except when I get in a hurry and really open up the airbrush and pressure.