I'm not sure that the measuring paint argument is valid Laurie. I use 3ml transfer pipettes which are disposable and from which you can easily count the drops (they are graduated for the more anal mixers). I bought a box of 500 for not very much (certainly less than 20 quid) years ago and I've barely scratched the surface of my supply. Straws will do the same job for free!
As for fumes, just because you can't smell something doesn't mean it isn't there. As a rule the solvents used in enamel paints smell more strongly than others, but there are still solvents in other types of paints and your
airbrush is still creating an aerosol which you don't want to inhale. A good mask should be used for both and this will negate the potential harmful effects of BOTH types of paint.
I've been spraying paints for well over twenty five years and consider myself an experienced
airbrush user. I switched to acrylic paints for a two year period. In my experience enamel paints are FAR more tolerant of approximate thinning and FAR less likely to ever cause blockages and stoppages in the brush. With enamels I have NEVER had to add anything to the paint but the thinning agent, invariably cheapo white spirits. With acrylics I was arseing about with retarders, flow enhancers and different thinners and still had regular, if not frequent, stoppages. I've NEVER found an acrylic paint which has the toughness and durability of a properly sprayed enamel onto a properly prepared surface, though I'm told acrylics are getting better in this regard. I don't remember EVER lifting an enamel paint with masking material.
Airbrush cleaning is MUCH easier with enamels. Unless you take hours to spray a job they won't dry in the
airbrush cup. I only ever flush my brush through with more white spirits, give it a back flush and a wipe and the jobs done. I only disassemble my airbrushes when something goes wrong, not every time I use one, not even on every model.
The only arguable disadvantage of enamels is the smell which just let's you know that there's 'stuff' in the air. A lack of smell can lead some acrylic users into a dangerous complacency about the spraying process. I repeat that you should use a mask (de rigeur) and if you can, an extractor, whatever you are spraying.
Drying time is not an issue. If you are desperate for your paint to dry, then you are rushing which I would suggest is just about the worst thing you can do while building a model
.
I'd be interested to see someone lay out the advantages that they feel acrylics have over enamels!
Cheers
Steve