Using Airbrushes for Modelling

For model airplanes that require painting, or for hobbyists who want to paint over an existing finish, there are a couple of options. Most kits will have small glass jars of paint included, that require the use of a brush to apply. However, a much more smooth application can be achieved if the paint is airbrushed onto the surface of the model. The major benefit of using airbrushing technique is its even overall coating and uniform finish. Model paints tend to leave spots of uneven paint distribution whereas airbrushing gives a much neater professional coverage.

Airbrush Basics

An airbrushing tool is a hand-held cylinder, much like a brush without bristles, and with a small jar attached to it for filling with paint. The "brush" is supplied with air from a compressor, or from compressed carbon dioxide can. The air (or CO2) forces the paint out from the attached jar and through the cylinder. Gentle movements of the hand, combined with finger adjustments to the pressure control wheel, will allow the user to disperse paint evenly and with a finer degree of control than a regular brush might permit.

Airbrushing can allow for a very large surface to be covered in a fraction of the time than traditional paintbrush methods. Along with airbrushing being much faster, it blends colors together seamlessly, so that colors seem to flow into one another without any obvious brush strokes.

Airbrushes and airbrush kits come in both advanced and beginner varieties. For example, the

Types of Paint

Standard Airbrush by Testors is an excellent starter kit. You can also have a look at the NEO Gravity-Feed Dual-Action Airbrush by Iwata, which has a double action trigger. Or, pick up a gift set with the Testors - Amazing Airbrush Gift Set. Airbrushing hobby tools are often very affordable and do not take much time to get started.

There are essentially three types of paint that are used for applying to model aircraft: lacquers, enamels and acrylics. Acrylics are water-soluble and great for indoor use, because there are no harmful fumes associated with its use. Enamels and lacquers are also good and can provide a glossier sheen to the completed work. Be aware that all paints must be used in ventilated areas because their fumes can be dangerous to inhale.

Single vs Double Airbrush


In addition to the paint selections, there are also single and double action airbrushes. Single action, as implied, operates from the single act of triggering the release of the spray. They are simpler and less expensive, and excellent for beginners who are still mastering the airbrushing application technique. However, for different thicknesses of lines, the nozzle must be changed out, or the spray volume can be altered.

Double action allows the artist to mix the paint and air ratios while painting. It operates much like a single action airbrush, but, the air and paint amounts that are dispersed can be controlled while the trigger is pulled back, which allows for more command over the outcome. Double action airbrushes are often used by advanced artists to create more sophisticated effects. While the basics of airbrushing can be learned very quickly, mastery can take years.

Let us know any additional questions you may have in the comments below about painting models, we love to help!

Thanksgiving History

Have you ever wondered about the history of Thanksgiving? Here at Squadron, we’re all about history – as shown by model airplanes, military vehicles and ships with accurate details from World War II and other major historical periods. If you’re interested in the history of Thanksgiving, here’s some background on how Turkey day came to be:

Thanksgiving is primarily holiday that is celebrated in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks and blessings of the harvest and of the upcoming year. Thanksgiving is traditionally rooted in the English culture which dates back to the Protestant Reformation. The English tradition was important during the English Reformation in the reign of Henry VIII as special thanksgiving religious service in response to an increased number of religious Catholic holidays. In the United States, the modern Thanksgiving holiday is roughly traced back to document dated in 1621 outlining a feast and celebration of a good harvest celebration at Plymouth (modern-day Massachusetts).

As Pilgrims and Puritans began moving from England to the United States in the 1620’s and 1630’s, so too did the tradition of the English Thanksgiving. Upon leaving Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower Compact was signed by Pilgrims as a way to introduce self-government.  Pilgrims then left Plymouth, England in 1620 sailing to a new world with promises of civil and religious freedom. They sailed on the Mayflower ship (which, we should mention, we have awesome model ship kits featuring the Mayflower and other sailboats from the 1600s).

When they landed in America, starvation and sickness quickly struck them and almost half of the population died. With the help of Native Americans, the Pilgrims were able to reap a rich harvest of corn and barley the following summer and thus the tradition of the English Harvest, Thanksgiving, was soon celebrated.

In the beginning, several days of Thanksgiving were held in early New England and identified as the “First Thanksgiving”. In later years, civil leaders such as Governor Bradford declared Thanksgiving religious services and fast in 1623. Much as in Canada, Thanksgiving has been celebrated on various dates throughout history and has differed among each state. Like it began by King Henry VIII to serve a greater purpose, Lincoln proclaimed the date to be the final Thursday in November in order to foster a sense of American unity between Northern and Southern states. 

In the modern day, we not only celebrate Thanksgiving for a good harvest, rather Americans give thanks for time spent with their family, good health, wealth and happiness. Traditional foods are still prepared such as turkey, corn, mash potatoes, and dessert. More recently, there have been vegetarian options such as tofu turkey and various spice cakes added to the feast. And since 1966, the Dallas Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving day, making football as big a part of Thanksgiving as stuffing and gravy.

From everyone here at Squadron, we’d like to wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving. What are your plans for Turkey Day?

Essential Modeling Tools

When creating anything, the right tools are necessary to do the job right. From building a car to building a home, having the right selection of tools allows you to build your project to its exact specifications and with the highest levels of quality so that your work stands up to the test of time. When building model airplanes, cars or military vehicles, it’s no different – the right tools are critical to building accurate models.

There’s a wide range of model tools available, from basic tools to creating models to advanced tools used by professional modelers and the most dedicated enthusiasts. Choosing the right tools for your modeling project depends entirely on the type of model being built, the materials of the model, and the level of detail that you’re looking to accomplish.

Much like how the toolbox you use for your car or home starts off with the basics, so should your modeling tools. Shown here is Squadron’s Essential Tool Kit, containing cutters, pliers, tweezers, and sanding sticks. This basic set of tools helps to accomplish a variety of common modeling tasks – trimming parts, sanding rough edges, and molding parts. Like a set of screwdrivers and a hammer, these basics are some of the most often used tools by modelers at every skill level. Other basic tools include paintbrushes, and glue applicators specifically designed for working on small scale models.

But of course – not everything can be accomplished with basic tools. For adding layers of color to military dioramas or model planes; an airbrush allows the modeler to apply color precisely. Airbrushes can be used with a variety of paints, allowing for infinite color variation. Airbrush tools can also be customized with different components to provide different paint effects. Other popular tools for advanced modeling include suction tools for placing parts in precise locations.

At Squadron, we carry a full line of tools and diorama supplies, as well as high quality, accurate models of airplanes, tanks, ships and more. No matter what you can dream up – we have the tools and supplies to help you build it! 

Squadron at the CAF AirPower Expo in McKinney

Here at Squadron, we could not be prouder, or more excited, about taking part in the Commemorative Air Force AirPower Expo earlier in McKinney, October 3 -5, in McKinney, Texas, a short drive from Dallas.

The Commemorative Air Force took over the Collin County Regional Airport for four days of exciting flying action, aircraft history, and a host of other fun events. The AirPower Expo featured some of the most majestic flying machines from World War II including the B-17 Flying Fortress, one of the most famous bombers of World War II. The best part? Visitors took to the skies themselves with airplane rides in the B-17 Flying Fortress, as well as the B-24 Liberator “Diamond Lil”, D-25 Mitchell “Devil Dog”, and more – giving them a truly authentic, thrilling historical experience of riding in the same planes used in combat.

While airplane rides might be the most exciting part of the airshow, that was only the beginning of the fun. On the ground, cockpit tours of historical aircraft, classic cars, food trucks, educational programs, and a big band concert rounded out this weekend of fun!

Squadron has helped sponsor this event, and was on site with our own model airplane kits of majestic World War II aircraft. We had the chance to meet with our fellow aircraft enthusiasts and offer them the highest detailed airplane models, as well as introducing those who are interested in aircraft to the hobby of modeling – giving them a chance to recreate their favorite aircraft at home, to their own details and specifications! Over the course of the weekend we introduced dozens of people to the hobby of airplane modeling, and offered exclusive models to veteran enthusiasts - it truly was a blast!

Of course, we didn't spend ALL our time introducing people to airplane models – we got the chance to watch real planes action as they dazzled in the sky above, as well as enjoying the concert and delicious food! We're excited to do it all again next year - stay tuned to our blog to see where we'll be next!