Review

Badger has released its Renegade Series of high-performance, dual-action airbrushes. The family includes the bottom-feed Rage (Stock No. R3R, $149) with a .33mm tip; the side-feed Spirit (R2S, $159) and the gravity-feed Velocity, both with .21mm tips. All come packed in a latching hard case with plenty of foam to keep the contents safe.

Pre-production photos of the brush led me to believe the models are chrome plated, but the Velocity arrived with an attractive gunmetal finish. A vinyl cap protects the business end of the brush, while the .33-oz. paint cup is covered with a tight-fitting plastic cap. An adapter for Iwata hoses and an alternative spray regulator are included.

My first impression was how balanced the brush felt in my hand. It has heft and is a bit longer than previous airbrushes I've used, which is nice for someone like me with larger hands. A few pulls of the trigger got me used to the 'Tensionsense" control, and after a once-over to make sure everything was tight, I took the Velocity to the paint booth.

ICM's 1:48 Sd.Kfz. 222 made a perfect test subject for the airbrush. The first coat of Tamiya acrylic flat black thinned with Polly S Airbrush thinner went on flawlessly and gave me a chance to test the "Stopset" trigger setting. The knob on the rear of the brush turns very smoothly, allowing the operator fine control over the volume of paint coming out of the brush.

After allowing the base coat to dry, Model Master Panzer Schwarzgrau was applied with the same thinner. Again, coverage was even and the brush produced very little overspray. As a last test, I added a couple of drops of Model Master flat flesh to the Panzer Schwarzgrau and thinned it with isopropyl alcohol to spray into the center of the vehicle's panels to break up the dip-job grayness. The combination produced some tip clogging; I suspect this had more to do with the paint-thinner combination than the actual brush. Nonetheless, the Velocity was able to spray tight lines (down to a hairline) and put the paint where I wanted it.

The only caution I would offer is to watch out for the very fine needle; the tip bends easily. The brush comes with a 2-prong spray regulator that protects the needle and also comes with an alternative cap that leaves the tip unprotected.

The Velocity is a good all-around airbrush for models up to 1:48 or so and an excellent detail tool for larger models. If your customer needs more paint coverage, I'd push the Rage (Stock No. R3R). If they like to have a clear view of the model while painting, point them toward the side- feed Spirit.

This is an ideal brush for someone looking to step up as their skills improve. It provides the type of control found on more expensive airbrushes at a very reasonable price.