Hi

I've just started my modeling carer again after several years of absence.
In my youth I just used pencils for painting, but I am thinking about buying an airbrush.

Any good general airbrush tips and howto sites to recomend ??????

You could try http://www.airbrush.com/ as a start. Read all the past message in this forum, you'lll find a wealth of information about airbrush's, the different models, tips on paint mixtures, etc, etc.

If you can afford it right up front get a good compressor, skip the 'air can' route. You will be happier.
Practice, Practice, Practice. One thing to do too when you practice is to practice on the same material you will be painting. You'll see comments about practiciing on a piece of poster board or paper to get the hang of the brush. That's fine, for control. What it lacks is giving a good representaion of what the paint will do on plastic. If you mix to thin the poster board will absorb the extra liquid and it'll look ok. When you move to plastic it will run.
Get some good masking agents too. Tape, liquid which ever you prefer. To airbrush well you will learn the fine art of masking.
Lastly, (right now) clean, clean, clean - keep the airbrush clean and it will last and it will serve you well.

The paasche VL airbrush is great!, the only problem, That I have had (and noticed others too) is the the plastic end handle breaks off, Anybody else have that trouble?

I use a Paache H and haven't had a problem yet even w/ the plastic handle. They do make a Metal replacement though. It does weight more.