What Do I Need To Get Started Painting My Model Airplane?

Building model aircraft is a popular hobby, with many people making a range of different things, from scale models of historic airplanes to re-enacting battles with miniature figures. In order to add the finishing touches to these, then model builders use a number of methods, such as airbrushing or painting by hand to make them look more authentic.

The airbrush approach has become one of the best options for those creating scale model airplanes, due to the precision, type of finish and quality of finish that can be accomplished. One key tip from the modelling community online is that it's important to make models that appeal to you, because that way the interest will keep flowing. Similar tips come when it comes to your chosen method of adding the finishing touches.


Airbrushes come in all shapes and sizes. If you are new to the field there is a huge range available, many companies provide a starter airbrush kit for beginners, as the choice on offer can be a daunting one. An airbrush is a spraying device that uses pressurised air to operate. The tool mixes the air with liquid paint, which results in a fine mist. Single action airbrushes deliver paint in a steady manner, whereas double action can be used for more precise and detailed work.

There are also different ways in which the pressurised air is produced. It can either be done via a canned propellant, or with a compressor. A compressor takes energy from electricity and converts it into kinetic energy which pushes out the paint and helps to create a mist. Compressors allow the user to produce a steady stream of paint or to release it in quick bursts.

One item that is also a good consideration for people doing a lot of spraying is a spray booth. This device helps make the use of spray paint safer, as it extracts dangerous fumes from the room and as such prevents any physical repercussions as the ingredients of the paint can be harmful to humans.

It is definitely worth looking into purchasing a real spray booth as opposed to fashioning one yourself. Professionally produced spray booths are a safe option because they meet required standards, whereas making one yourself can have unforeseen repercussions, with tales within the online community about people who have made their own but had explosions or fires due to the wiring of a homemade fan and so on.

As well as having all these items it is important to remember that in order to produce these finishes, it will be necessary to have the paint you want to create the finish with. There are a great number of different choices for airbrush painting and as such it is important to choose the sort that will go with the material of the model you're making, in order for it to form the right kind of coating. Some models are painted from the inside with the detail as the first layer and the base coat next. Most however have a base coat and the detailing above it.

There are other parts and accessories to consider, however as a beginner it is worth looking into a starter airbrush kit that has all the basic equipment so that you can practise your airbrushing and see what you can achieve before stepping up and buying higher end goods. These airbrush kits often contain all you need, such as an airbrush, a compressor and needles needed for spraying.