Model Paint Colors

Tools 'n' Tips Article by David Rapasi on Feb 17 2011

Someone pointed out that the colors on my P 400 didn't look correct.

I had spent quite a bit of time matching the model paint to the color photos of the actual aircraft.

The two paint chips at the top of the #1 photo are the closest match to the paint on the aircraft in the color photos that I could find.

The left side of both color chips is the actual color, the right side is faded with 20% white.

The paint chip laying on the left wing in photo #1 shows the two faded colors that were painted on the model aircraft.

 

Click on images below to see larger images

After weathering, the colors have shifted because of becoming dirty and faded.

The # 1 photo was shot on a white background and the camera's auto white balance kept the colors close.

Photo # 2 was shot on a gray background and the colors shifted a small amount.

Photo # 3 was shot on a light blue background and the colors shifted quite a bit more.

No matter how accurate I try to paint a model aircraft with the correct colors, the weathering, the backdrop, the lighting, and the use of a pocket camera with auto white balance, will cause a shift in color hue.

Now, before I submit an article, I try to make sure the color hues in the photos are close to the paint chip colors.

PS.

RAF Dark Earth is the same color as Core of Engineering 303 Field Drab and a close match to ANA 617 Dark Earth.

David Rapasi

Photos and text © by David Rapasi