I've been using my Aztec for a few years now and find it generally reliable, easy to maintain, and quick and easy to change needles from fine to broad, even in the middle of a paint job. However...my model's interior is made of plastic and nylon, or delrin, and hardly any metal. An 'H' shaped linkage between the trigger and paint flow valve has broken (I believe this is a common occurance) and I fixed it with a piece of brass wire, which has recently come apart. This 'H' shaped piece looks like it costs about .25 cents to manufacture. Does anyone who uses an Aztec know if this piece is available from Testors/Aztec?

You can't buy the part, but Aztek airbrushes have a lifetime warranty that Testors is very good about fulfilling. Contact them for instructions, ship them the airbrush, and they will repair it, or very likely give you a brand new one, free of charge.

I'm afraid I've already voided the warranty by attempting to repair the broken piece (a couple of times). Anyway, in the meantime I've been doing some homework on Iwata. Their Revolution HP BCR is advertised as spraying from .5 mm - 1 1/2 in. Even if it only comes close, it's still enough for painting models. And it actually costs less than the Aztec! Any comments on this particular Iwata model?

The Aztec, as Aztec owners know, is adaptable to both a gravity feed cup as well as syphon feed bottle. Iwata's, depending on the model, will only do one or the other. Faced with this choice, which is usually the most convenient for model painting? ie; I sometimes use the paint cup (for smaller paint jobs), but also sometimes manage to spill it while painting

I have both the Aztek A7778 and the old Model Masters 3000 (now the Aztek A470). If it breaks or does not work right Don't open it. Call Testors and they will fix (usually replace) it. I already had to have my A7778 replaced. I bumped it off the stand and it hit the floor on the cup side and cracked the hole that the cup fits in. Testors replaced it. I love my Azteks. I have other airbrushes (Iwata, Badger, Paasche) and I use my Azteks most of the time.

I have seen the old model masters airbrushes on ebay selling cheap cheap from time to time. Maybe pick one up there and gut the parts.

Cheers

Having used an airbrush with gravity and suction feed on various Badger airbrushes I would always go with gravity fed airbrushes. switching to gravity fed airbrushes is I believe the biggest improvement I have noticed to my ability to paint and I feel it is a must in order to get those fine lines.

If you're looking at the Iwata Revolutions, get the CR. Gravity feed is the superior system for models, especially finer lines and patterns. Siphon feed requires a portion of your air pressure to be taken up to suck the paint up the tube, and the rest to atomize it, resulting in a higher working PSI than a gravity feed brush. There's a minimum PSI you can operate a siphon feed brush at, or it won't deliver the paint to the needle. Gravity feed brushes eliminate this disadvantage, allowing you to shoot a base coat on a tank at 15-20 PSI with no overspray or waste of paint. Then you can thin down your camo color, drop the PSI to 10, and get in close to shoot pencil line camo. Iwata airbrushes are precision machined with a cup cap that will not come off or leak, eliminating spillage unless you can get it to come out the tiny vent hole on top. If you can afford $100, get the Revolution CR. If you can afford $200, get the HP-C+. The HP-C+ has a smaller needle and can still shoot a whole model. I have both, plus 2 others.

Got my Iwata Revolution CR yesterday, worked like a charm right out of the box. Now all I got to do is learn to control my 'leadfinger'!

I tell everybody to practice on empty gallon plastic milk jugs. They have a handle, they're free, and they have compound curves and lots of plastic to practice on. Get it perfect before you go at a model! Enjoy!