Vallejo Air Query

[BarryW]

I am looking for a green to use on a Battle of Britain Spitfire. On the paint charts Vallejo 71016 US Dark Green is labelled as FS34079 which, on this site http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/stuff_eng_colorcharts_uk.htm

is nothing like the FS34079 listed and clicking on the link the colour is nothing like it. 71016 looks to me more like an Olive Drab the US used in the early part of the war.

Anyone know what the answer is - what Air colour should I use for the RAF camo?

[stona]

RAF Dark Green! Much hot air and some light has been generated on this topic. I'll let a Vallejo user answer your question but don't beat yourself up about some kind of exact match. There isn't an FS number that will exactly match anyway.

Dark Green was also quite a bit more 'olive' than many Humbrol 30 users suspect! I quite like the Xtracrylix version myself. In enamels I use the WEM one.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Barry I use Vallejo Air 29 for dark earth ie brown.

Vallejo Air Green no 12.

Grey underside no 49

The answer in Vallejo terms is that those are the closest but I suspect not an exact match despite the colours by Vallejo are those they are recommending in their splurge. After producing so far 6 models 5 are in Vallejo the first Humbrol enamel. Looking at the green in the 5 it is darker than the Humbrol Green. Personally I like the Vallejo scheme as I think it looks more sinister but that is all opinion & personal taste & why not. If you need a closer colour match then you need to mix.

I have found all the colour charts only a very vague guide. 99% of monitors are not colour calibrated. Graphic Designers & Artists have there monitors & printers calibrated by specialists. The colours we all view on a monitor & print are usually nothing like the true colour. It is a pity that Vallejo do not print true colour cards.

Best thing is to try the colours on a plastic bottle. You get a good area for testing & the colours will be next to each other.

Laurie

[BarryW]

Thanks Laurie -Steve, I certainly appreciate the 'exact match' issue but I have a bottle of the UK Dark Green 016 and when I did a test of it realised how different it is to the colour needed.

Laurie - thank you, 12 yes, that is on a short list I put together along with 13 (oddly named Yellow Olive but the FS number 34096 looks right) - I think I will get both and see which looks right and that must be the test at the end of the day.

[Guest]

Barry. You could always resort to the time honoured & o so accurate way.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe

Then when the choice is not to yours go for the other one. So dependable.

Laurie

[Guest]

Green? I use 12

Dark earth? 29 looks far too dark for me, I use 30 (green brown)

It's very subjective, as everyone has said go with your instinct

[Ian M]

Vallejo Do a colour chip book of the Model color range. Its actual paint and not an approximation. Ask your dealer to get you one. You wont find one for model air due to the translucency of the paint: the more you put on the darker it will get. This also has a large part in the choice of primer as it will effect the final colour.

I have tried to find a good match in Vallejo for British colours in RAF and Army. AS Stona wrote if you what the best match go for Xtracylix or WEM.

I have also learned that the if it looks right it is right is the way to go.

Ian M

[BarryW]

This is all interesting stuff, one thing is for sure whatever I choose no-one can say for sure I am wrong.

I did think that the Vallejo 29 was a bit dark when I used it on my Spit MkV trop but as I was planning to 'bleach' it quite heavily anyway, I was not worried and in the end I think the result was very effective. The Tamiya box art also showed quite a dark 'dark earth'. Anyway I will take the suggestion from Andy and use 30 for my Mk1.

I have been using those FS numbers as a guide but they are definitely not always looking right. For grey undersides Vallejo 51 matches the FS number with a slightly bluer tint, I think I will get 49 for when I do my 'Big Spit' - the Mk XVI.

Another Vallejo paint order coming for John....... I do like Vallejo, they cover so well I find and the eyedropper bottle is so much easier and convenient to use.

I will shortly have 61 M Air and M Colour colours and need to sort them out. Plus primer and varnishes.

Found a racking solution that looks ideal - a nail varnish rack and I have ordered it off Amazon and it should hold 6 racks of 11 Vallejo paint colours based on the measurements. I will post a pic when it is here, up and ready!

[BarryW]

I have just had delivery of the nail varnish rack. The Vallejo bottles fit perfectly, 6 rows of 11 and in fact by staggering the bottles you could get up to 13 per row, making a capacity of 78. The height between rows is just right to get them out easily as well. Could have been made to measure.

When I have sorted it out tonight I will post a pic of it fully loaded and a link to it on Amazon in case anyone else might be interested in this solution.

[Guest]

Thanks Barry I have been using seed trays but a bit cumbersome. Also wife wants them back.

Been looking for an alternative & this looks like it.

Laurie

[BarryW]

I just skived off out of the office to sort the paints and set up the stand. Organised them in Vallejo number order and have a printed spreadsheet pinned to the wall so I can easily cross reference them.

While at it I got pics of my workspace and stash for good measure...

Here is the link to the rack: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004W6P5WG

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[ATTACH]40008.IPB[/ATTACH]

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[ATTACH]40010.IPB[/ATTACH]

[Guest]

Got in touch with Vellejo headquarters in Spain this morning & very nice reply within a couple of hours.

They have given me this address to obtain printed colour cards of their ranges.

Rang the number below & very efficient asked for Model & Model Air they said no we will send you all the colour cards for all of the ranges & in the post today.

Tell you what Vallejo are a turned on Company they realise that it is customers that count.

Laurie

CREATIVE MODELS LTD.

Units 3-4 Honeysome Rd Ind Est

Honeysome Road - Chatteris

Cambs - PE16 6TG

http:// www.creativemodels.co.uk

E-mail: info@creativemodels.co.uk

Tel. +44 (0)1354 760022

Fax +44 (0)1354 760037

[BarryW]

That excellent Laurie - I will contact them too.

[Guest]

When I get these colour cards I am going to test the accuracy with half a dozen different colours.

Like your layout Barry. Like me you like to see all things neat. Spent a lot of time making sure all tools & bits & pieces are within arms reach. Bought a second hand high backed lawyer clerks type chair. Put some castors on the bottom which give movement while working on it.

Laurie

[stona]

Like your layout Barry. Like me you like to see all things neat. Spent a lot of time making sure all tools & bits & pieces are within arms reach. Laurie

Cripes,I won't show you the chaos I work in then. I can put down a scalpel,scribe,tube of filler or just about anything else and instantly lose it :lol:

I'm amazed that I ever get anything built!

Barry's set up does look good.

Cheers

Steve