I'm starting to make models again and I'd like to start painting them. And to this end I've decided I'd like to buy an airbrush. But after reading up I'm a little confused. My preference is for armor and I'd be grateful for any advice.

From what I've read there isn't really an accepted way for assembling and painting - some build the entire model first, some do it in stages, and some paint on sprues

A few questions/comments:
. if one builds the tank completely first, doesn't it make painting very difficult? Even if it were just a priming layer of paint, how do you paint the covered areas eg behind roadwheels, or behind side skirts?
. Wheels: how do you get to the nooks and crannies behind the roadwheels, or in between the interleaved wheels on Tiger? What about the "rubber"?
. Tools: how do you paint tools already glued on the hull without making a mess and slopping paint over the hull? Do you also leave out painting the underside of the tool/chain/whatever?
. Gluing pre-painted items: if one were to paint the hull first then stick on the tools/items, won't the paint layer interfere with the glue?

What I've read on the web deals more with camo patterns, weathering and adding rust etc. They show pictures of an entire model primed in one color, the camo colors added, then suddenly the next picture shows all the tools and road wheels etc in the appropriate color, with nary a mention of how they do it.

Appreciate any advice anyone might have.

Your points about the difficulties of painting a completed vehicle are well taken, Many of us build sub assemblies and paint them, e.g. turret and hull., i paint my road wheels before assembly so the insides are painted as well as the visible sides. Since camo is usually applied to a completed vehicle, often in the field, I paint the camo pattern on the completed vehicle.
Just about no one paints on the sprue since you'll lose paint to filling and sanding as well as clean up of the attachment points.
Attaching tools to a painted model can be done with superglue as opposed to plastic cement. Since you won't be subjecting them to a lot of stress, the bond is more than adequate.

I do agree with Al, but, on my present build I am putting all the tools on. I am still doing the rest of the build in subassemblies. The reason for this is to see it the tool clamps/ attachment points will look more natural this way. the tools will not be detailed until just before the final wash/drybrushing cycle. It is also called 'expanding the envelope' or 'working outside of my comfort zone'. And building models used to be SOOOOOOO easy!!
capnjock

Thanks for the advice everyone. I haven't built models for 20 years and never got past using a paint brush. And there are so many nice models to make now, so I want to do as good a job as possible.

I guess I'll try the stage-by-stage method of painting. Seems the easier method. I can't imagine doing tools/etc already attached though - I'm sure I'd wreck the pre-existing base paint job - I'm already a klutz with the paint brush and i'm sure I won't be much better with the airbrush.

Thanks again

Don't feel too bad, I tend to get paint all over myself with some on the model. And that is with a regular brush! The only change for me is that I now have the ability to get paint on the walls in addition to myself and the model!!! Oh, how I love painting! Yes, I also have eyesight and hand stability issues. So I use the various kind of magnifiers available along with a great increase in the use of 'third hand' devices and brace my hands along the edge of my bench. I cannot even use coffee as an excuse for my shakiness anymore as my doctor has cut any caffeine from my diet. Ah, the joys of nearing the end of the 50's are wonderous!
capnjock