Thanks guys.
Cooda, since half the battle after retirement is keeping Mrs. piggy - or Mrs. Cooda in your case - happy, I consider my job well done.
Down side is, women don't like the smell of paint unless it's being applied to the walls. I don't have a painting booth so I've been banished to the garden shed which means it's too cold to paint for six months of the year. You of course would not have that problem.
Squawk, I'd suggest getting yourself an inexpensive airbrush. You can get Testors airbrush kit at Wal-Mart for less than $50.00. It comes with a single action airbrush, a can of propellant and a good instruction booklet. Buy one and whale away. With acrylic paint there are no petro based solvents, just plain water for thinning and cleanup.
If you're looking for some rare models, try this
http://www.cahood.com/ and for tools and stuff
http://www.micromark.com/
They're both in the US, but they ship anywhere.