Early WW2 French Aircraft Colours-Help needed

[Dave W]

I'm about to start painting my Maryland.But the kit painting guide is not very good.So far I've got Humbrol 144 and 10 for two of the upper surface colours,Blue grey and dark brown.Not sure what to use for the green shade or the underside blue.I use Humbrol,Vallejo and Tamiya paints.The painting guide gives Gunze paint codes although it doesn't give anything for the Green!. So any help would be greatly appreciated. Looking on various forums it would seem RLM65 lightened with a drop of white is the way to go for the underside colour.

[flyjoe180]

My own reference notes say to use HUM 23 (sky blue) with a drop of 64 (light grey) for French undersides.

[flyjoe180]

Oh, and that 'green' colour, HUM155 Olive Drab, or Khaki (HUM78 is also mentioned).

[Dave W]

Thanks Joe.Ive got Humbrol 155 and 78.But they are both quite different.155 is a dark olive drab and 78 is British interior green.Im not going to be too anal about though and will probably use 155.Thanks for taking the time to find an answer for me.

[flyjoe180]

Not a problem.

[stona]

Dave, the names of the French colours might help you find an equivalent.

Gris Bleu Clair....under side colour

Gris Bleu Fonce, Brun Mat and Vert.....upper surfaces.

The only paint available in these colours, ready made, in the UK, that I know of is White Ensign Colour Coats. They don't do a 'Brun Mat' but that is easily made by dropping a little black (Hu 33) into some Hu 10, or you could darken their 'Kaki'.

Cheers

Steve

[Dave W]

Thanks Steve.Ive decided to use HU10,HU145, and HU155 for the upper surfaces and Xtracolour RLM65 with a drop of white for the undersides.Thanks for your input.

Dave, the names of the French colours might help you find an equivalent.Gris Bleu Clair....under side colour

Gris Bleu Fonce, Brun Mat and Vert.....upper surfaces.

The only paint available in these colours, ready made, in the UK, that I know of is White Ensign Colour Coats. They don't do a 'Brun Mat' but that is easily made by dropping a little black (Hu 33) into some Hu 10, or you could darken their 'Kaki'.

Cheers

Thanks Steve. I've decided to use HU10,HU145 and Hu155 for the upper Surfaces.And I will lighten some Xtracolour RLM65 for the undersides.Thanks for your in put.