discussion Luftwaffe colour confusion

[zuludog]

I have returned to modelling after a long break. Humbrol have sent me a colour chart of their current range, and I am comparing my collection of old paints with their new range to see what extras I might need


I only use enamel; some of them are quite old, but still seem to be in good condition


I have been labelling the tins with sticky labels to avoid peering at the very small print, and to help identify where I have duplicates and where I have gaps


I've noticed that the old tins and the chart have different names for the same RLM number:-


RLM 74 Gloy = dunkelgrau Humbrol = graugrun


RLM 75 Precision = mittelgrau Humbrol = grauviolet


RLM 76 Precision = hellgrau Humbrol == lichtblau


RLM 80 Gloy = olivgrun Humbrol not listed


RLM 82 Humbrol = olivgrun


Any comments on these anomalies?


I suppose I could Surf for a definitive list of RLM/Luftwaffe colours, but I thought I'd ask you first

 

[Guest]

I have heard that the late-war Luftwaffe colours from Humbrol aren't the best. Some of their colour matches don't add up & quality is suspect at best.


I'm using Xtracolor enamels & rate them very highly.

 

[zuludog]

Things are becoming a bit clearer. I got onto this Site


www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts


Seems graugrun & dunkelgrau are alternative names for RLM 74; grauviolett& mittelgrau are alternative names for RLM 75


Late war Luftwaffe colours are confusing, and a study in themselves; I'll sort that when I make a relevant kit


Acrylic paints seem to be very popular, but I like enamels, and finding them is becoming a bit harder


I have used Xtracolour a few years ago, could you let me know a stockist, please? Thanks

 

[stona]

Any comments on these anomalies?


I suppose I could Surf for a definitive list of RLM/Luftwaffe colours, but I thought I'd ask you first

No need to go surfing!


The RLM colour system was a numeric system. The colour for any given number was expected to match a colour sample ('colour chip') provided to the paint manufacturers by the RLM. The RLM was the Reich Air Ministry.


Any and all verbal descriptions of the colours are entirely unofficial, and this includes contemporary German descriptions. It is notable that in documentation from the various aircraft manufacturers and other sub contractors within the aviation industry the same colours are described differently. On the other hand two different colours might be described in the same way! For example Dornier describe both RLM 81 and RLM 82 as 'Dunkelgrun' whereas they are two different colours.


My advice is to ignore all verbal descriptions of the colours, go solely by the RLM number. Different model paint manufacturers do vary in their interpretation of the colours. If you are concerned with exact matches all you can do is find a decent set of colour chips (in Merrick or Ullmann for example) and match those.


Edit: I'm an enamel man too. Xtracolour are available from Hannants.


http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.php?adv=1&product_category_id=&product_division_id=&manufacturer_id=8272&product_type_id=3107&code=&scale_id=&keyword_search=&setPerPage=25&sort=0&search_direction=0&save_search_name=&save_search=


If and when White Ensign Colourcoats become available again you might consider them too. Most of their RLM colours were very good.


Cheers


Steve