Paint colours?

[Alan 45]

I've started building my Stuka and I've got to paint a couple of pieces before I can put them in the cockpit and I kneed to know a couple of colours as I only get a number instead of a colour name

The numbers are RLM 2 and RLM 70

All help is greatly received

[eddiesolo]

RLM 70: SCHWARTZGRUN, Humbrol number 241, it is a splinter colour grey.

RLM 2: GRAU, grey.

Si

[Alan 45]

Thanks mate I have both so great , why do Italieri give you numbers for some paints and the actual name for others ?

It seems a bit mad if you ask me

[Ian M]

Its easier to spell RLM70 than it is to spell schwartsgrun??

RLM colours are well know by number probably due to the ease of use. A quick Google of "RLM Colours" returns 91,400 results.

Ian M

[Guest]

Alan if you are Vallejo minded

RLM2 Model 886 Model Air 71.044

RLM70 Model 897 Model Air 71.021

Laurie

[stona]

RLM 70 is a very dark green, not grey at all.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Vallejo have it down, that is RLM70 as dark black green FS34052-RAL6015-RLM70

Laurie

[eddiesolo]

RLM 70 is a very dark green, not grey at all.Cheers

Steve

My mistake, thanks Steve for the correction.

Si

[Alan 45]

If this is general knowledge for modellers paint why don't they put it on paint pots ?????

[stona]

If this is general knowledge for modellers paint why don't they put it on paint pots ?????

That is a very good question.

Some model paint manufacturers do produce their versions of WW2 aircraft colours and label them with the name or code by which they were known at the time. All my White Ensign Colourcoats are labelled that way (with an RLM number, official RAF name like Ocean Grey, or a US colour like Olive Green with the appropriate ANA number). These specialist paints, not just by White Ensign, tend to be the most accurate matches for the originals.

A lot of others don't do this and even when they make a colour which is a decent approximation of a war time colour it's up to the modeller to work out what's what. I have to say that some claimed equivalents are not really very close at all.

As far as the RLM (Reichsluftfahrtministerium or Reich Air Ministry) colours go there are several online charts that will give an idea of the colour you are after.

As an example, RLM 02 is just Reich Air Ministry colour 02. It and any other RLM colour were matched to colour chips (samples) issued to the various manufacturers by the ministry. Using a numeric code was supposed to do away with the vagaries of a verbal description but inevitably UNOFFICIAL verbal descriptions did exist and are still used today.

Cheers

Steve