I think it is more a question of your own preference. The tools - obviously, a hobby knife and a set of small grain sand paper. i prefer to use nail files like this:
http://www.nailfileprinting.co.uk/commu ... 552201.jpgThey are pretty much just a sand paper on a stick. They come with really coarse grain or really fine. Much easier to use than a plain sand paper sheets and so much cheaper than the same things but issued especially for modelers. I would also recommend a small needle nose pliers or just a tweezers to handle small details. This is all you need to start: knife, sanding sticks and tweezers. You may also invest into some modeling putty or something similar to fill gaps. Everything else may end up being a waste of money. Start building and you will decide as you go what other items you may need.
As far as a kit manufacturer for a beginner I would recommend Tamiya - not a lot of details, and a very good fit. But they are expensive. Or you can get something cheap from older Dragon kits. Don't expect them to be too historically accurate, though.