To armornut,

I purchased the paint stand from Hobby Lobby. It's made by Tamiya. It was my very first purchase after my 40 year hiatus. I had no idea what it was for, it took me a month to figure out how to utilize the paint stand. Now it's a most necessary piece in my model making projects. It's cost was $28.00, after my 40% discount I approximately paid $15.00 for it. You gotta love Hobby Lobby.

That is a clever paint stand, where did you get it?

Continuing on on the build of my P-38 Lightning, I will say that this is my very first P-38 that I've ever built. It's going just fine with almost no fit issues nor any type of flash for such an older kit that made its debut in 1964.

I find it also a great teaching tool in historical information. When I was 10 years old, I recalled reading about how a squadron of P-38's intercepted Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's plane and shot it down. By that point in the war, the Japanese were being pushed back island by island in their campaign to overtake the entire Pacific Ocean arena. It was Yamamoto whom correctly anticipated that the Japanese would be successful in the first two years of the war, but after that point, American know how, strength, and technology would turn the tide against his beloved country and the Emperor he served under.

He studied in the U.S. and enjoyed whiskey and playing poker. He also wrote home on how great the American people were as well as such a modern and industrial nation we were back then.

Anyway, here is where I'm at with my P-38 build!

Toshi

To Phil_H,

Thank you Phil for the correction of my error in regards to the country of origin.  I'm happy and pleased that you like and recommend the Sparmax product.  I brought up Iwata and Sparmax as it seems to be the only two products that my local Hobby Lobby carries.  Of course the main reason is one of financial gain as Hobby Lobby issues 40% off coupons on any one purchase per day.   I was also pleasantly surprised that Tamiya has partnered with Sparmax in regards to airbrushes.  I am a fan of Tamiya products so this made sense to me.  Thank you for the read and reply.

Toshi

Toshi

I did see a airbrush called "Sparmax" it seems to be a European made model and it looks gorgeous to say the least.  "Sparmax" also makes their own compressors.  Are they any good?  Do forum members own one and or have any comments about a "Sparmax" product?

Sparmax is a Taiwanese brand. At one stage they were an OEM of compressors rebranded for Iwata but I'm not sure if they still do this.

I use a Sparmax SP-35C airbrush. Solidly built & works very nicely and I've never had a problem with it that was not of my own making.

To GMorrison,

That's fantastic when someone purchases a airbrush and compressor and have been utilizing the airbrush for many years and is very happy with the product at hand.  Thank you for taking the time and sharing your valuable experience with me.  Thank you!

Toshi

To Patrick206,

Thank you so much for the in-depth information.  I know Badger and Paashe are long time hobby favorites of professional scale model artists.  I've even seen Badger and Paashe airbrush models that have been used for over twenty years still going strong.  It's definitely a case of how well you utilize and clean/care for your equipment.  It will only last as long as you don't abuse it, it's like everything else that is a consumable.  It's all relevant.  Ultimately, I understand at my point of which is a introductory novice, a airbrush will only perform and do the job as well as the modeler's skill set.  I'm starting from zero at this point.  I just learned how to activate a airbrush this past week on my P-40 build.  It's definitely nicely done but much more experience is needed in which time will be the key.  My current airbrush is a Testors camoflouge kit that comes with a CO2 can, five bottles of flat camo paint, and five quick change caps.  So far this has been a great and very fun learning experience for Mrs. Toshi and I.  It only cost us $30.00, this I feel is a resonable cost per learning curve scenario.

I will definitely take your advice and read and research airbrushes and compressors on line as well as in real use scenarios.  ie: pastry shops, nail manicure, and temporary tattoo.  The reason I brought up Iwata and Sparmax is that these two products dominate the sales floors at my local Hobby Lobby.  There are two Hobby Lobbies that are both twenty minutes drive away from my house.  It's a matter of convenience and also most importantly the Hobby Lobby 40% off coupon.  That means as an example, I can get a dual action Iwata NEO that retails for $100.00 for $60.00.  I can also purchase a matching Iwata compressor for approximately the same price for a total outlay of $120.00 up to $150.00.  I say a high $150.00 as I would like a stand and a cleaning pot as well as some smaller needles.  Anyway, thank you for the read and reply.  

Thank you,

Toshi

Buy a Badger or an Iwata. I have a Badger Patriot double action syphon feed that I love. It's super easy to clean. I've had it for about ten years.

Pat is right- noise is a huge factor. I have a Testors compressor that I like. It's a diaphram one, cost a bundle like $ 300 but I've had it for 15 years.

Toshi -  My experience is with mostly Paasche and Badger airbrushes, Now I only use the Badger line, I'm completely happy with their performance and durability. I did have and use an Iwata Neo, siphon model, which did a nice job but had front end components that left me a bit less than confident about longevity.

One thing to remember about compressors is the noise factor, some can be quite loud and annoying to you and others that may be nearby. A diaphragm model may produce a slight pulsing, I found it easily controlled with a longer air hose, a large water trap would also help. I have no affiliation with Badger, just a customer, but I find them to be durable, easy to care for and to produce a good finish. many models to choose from.

The 200 NH is a simple and reliable single action model, quite inexpensive and capable of producing very good finishes. The 100-G, gravity fed double action is my favorite Badger, I use it for most of my camo finishes and it blends the color separations quite well. There are of course many other air brushes  of very excellent quality, capable of producing finishes that are pleasing to see. Quality of service, ease of use and durability are all things to consider, depending on the use you will put it to.

Many times folks have bought an air brush and found it did not please them, then they moved on to others. For that reason I recommend making the purchase of one that is not a top line and very expensive model, Badger has several that are available for $60 - $80, you might well be very happy with it, if not and you move on to something else, you haven't broken the bank with a $200 type. I don't think I know anyone that only bought one air brush, then used it exclusively for the long term.

Good luck with your search, remember to do lot's of research and read reviews.

Patrick

There are MANY modelers on the forum that will offer suggestions, just ask around a bit.

This is as far as I got today.  I've been on and off painting and glueing the P-38 into existence on this beautiful Friday late afternoon.  Mrs. Toshi will take me to another Hobby Lobby location to see if there is any other type of products available in regards to another scale model or a airbrush and compressor.  I told her maybe both.  LOL.  

I did see a airbrush called "Sparmax" it seems to be a European made model and it looks gorgeous to say the least.  "Sparmax" also makes their own compressors.  Are they any good?  Do forum members own one and or have any comments about a "Sparmax" product?  I do know that Tamiya and "Sparmax" has joined forces and combined their expertise to build a airbrush under the guise of Tamiya/Sparmax airbrush.  I'm assuming that since Tamiya is aboard the "Sparmax" program, they can't be that bad at all, then again I could be wrong.  LOL!

Anyway, here's the break down of the P-38 Lightning.

Toshi

To Shawn M.

Absolutely amazing detail on your P-38!  Very elegant to say the least.  WOW!

Toshi

To goldhammer,

Sounds like you made a great investment into the Iwata airbrush as well as the compressor from Harbor Freight Tools.  That's where I get most of my modeling equipment from.  ie: Dremel, X-acto, etc.  thank you for the information as well as the read and reply.

Toshi

I started to do a serious detail build with that kit but burned out on it.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/shawnmanny/sets/72157632102518741/

I grabbed the Iwata Eclipse BCS and so far I like it.  Was like $108 with the coupon. Happy with it so far.   Already had a Harbor Freight  3 gal pancake compressor for around $40 (on a flyer coupon).  Add a regulator with a gauge and a 25 foot hose, and a red disposable water trap (I put mine at the end of the hose along with the regulator and put the Iwata line on that).  I am in that setup about 65-70 bucks.  Bonus is you have a compressor that will air up a flat tire if needed.

Have never had any experience with the smaller "air brush compressors" so don't know if a  "pulse"  issue might crop up or not, where the little one can't keep up with the demand.

Did that kit LONG time ago as one of the Yamamoto birds.

Wow, that's going to look great especially with the alclad paint.  Good luck.  Yes, I keep seeing ads of Iwata.  I think at some point I'll do the Hobby Lobby 40% off Iwata and Compressor deal.  Thanks for the info and read and reply.

Hey Toshi that P-38 is a great kit! It was one of the first 'serious' kits I ever built. I didn't even paint the first one. Then built a second one some years back and painted it with the square Testor's enamel bottle with a big fat brush. Recently I bought a third kit I'm hoping to build soon to use Alclad and my airbrush (hopefully to turn out better than the first two!)

I've never used an Iwata airbrush but they're very highly regarded as a quality product.

How do I do that?  Can you help me?

Cool plane, Chef.

You might change the title of this post; it's a Revell kit.

Hobby Lobby is my favorite place to go now that I know about the 40% coupon.  Thanks for the heads up and the read and reply.

Toshi

HL policy is one 40% coupon per day; per customer. Who's to say you leave store and come back with another one and head to a different register? Either that have a family member or friend cash the other item for you. Or leave store and come back in a few minutes later but this time head to a different register. I've done this a couple times with no problems.

Please disregard the message at the top.  I was not in the right state of mind on this day.  This always happens twice a month and can last up to three days at best.  What I was trying to convey is the fact that the HL 40% off coupon can be utilized only once a day and on one item, but this same coupon can be utilized everyday.  Wow!  Hence my P-38 RM Lightning 1/48 scale.  Mrs. Toshi said that I should shoot for the big ticket items like the B-17 or the B-25 Liberator.  Maybe I can talk Mrs. Toshi in getting me a airbrush and a compressor at 40% off.  

If this is so, I'm thinking the Iwata Neo.  What do you as forum members think?  Let me know.  Thank you,

Toshi