Picking your brains, a paint match question.

[BlackSheep214]

Do what I do. Paint different swatches on paper or spoons and compare them. This way you will get a pretty good idea which color works. Posting a color template from a website doesn’t really give you an accurate color from the paint itself.

[pzl66]

Ah the joys of matching paint, further reading gave me a lot of info. So the Saab J22 s that are still in existence is supposed to be the most accurate for the colors. The underside appears gray, and under other lightning has a hint of blue:





Another one:



Trying to match the colors based on this picture for now:



I think it’s going to come down to just what color combos come close and still maintain the correct feel for a Swedish aircraft during WWII.....

Not focussed on the aircraft itself, just the color and feel of a Swedish aircraft:



Or for scale effect?



The Russian modern green seems to be the closest again to the right color balance of green?


The underside needs to be more gray, I think I may have to eliminate the slight blue due to scale effect..

Thinking the RLM 76 version 1?



Last night did a quick test of AK RLM66 and compared to the swatch pictured on the screen, it is damn scary how it is spot on...

[pzl66]

Do what I do. Paint different swatches on paper or spoons and compare them. This way you will get a pretty good idea which color works. Posting a color template from a website doesn’t really give you an accurate color from the paint itself.

This would be the norm, except AK paints on screen are actually pretty spot on to the actual paint sprayed. The other issue is the Swedes are kinda inconsistent withe the colors they used and matching them to model paint is a chore.

I think this time I got the batch close enough to where I can order the paint now but it will take a week to arrive and then I can test.

[pzl66]

RLM76v2 looks to be close now. Top color is still Russian Modern Green.

[Stuart]

That looks pretty much spot on.

I wouldn't worry too much. I was talking to an ex-RAF Vulcan and Phantom pilot the other day about the same subject. He said that as modellers we worry far too much about matching paint. He said he can remember often looking down the flight line at his squadron's aircraft and thinking they might as well be painted different colours - such as how life and use effects paint. It's next to impossible to match the correct paint as it varies so much.

Go with what you gut tells you.

[speedgraflex]

Cheers—and I think you are a lot closer than before. I second what Stuart wrote—it’s largely an individual color choice, which is why we as model builders start with photos of the subject itself if available then memoirs, alternate unit photos, before we reach the restored aircraft. What’s the aircraft you are modeling? Based on service chips for various Swedish fighters and bombers I am unable to match the AKI swatch. I think you wrote that more brown is necessary for the blue, perhaps for the green as well.

[pzl66]

The aircraft is not Swedish, it’s a “what-if” that could have been done one way or another. But I will need these colors later for when I decide on a Swedish aircraft to do. But for now it’s me building “outside the box.”

[pzl66]

That looks pretty much spot on.

I wouldn't worry too much. I was talking to an ex-RAF Vulcan and Phantom pilot the other day about the same subject. He said that as modellers we worry far too much about matching paint. He said he can remember often looking down the flight line at his squadron's aircraft and thinking they might as well be painted different colours - such as how life and use effects paint. It's next to impossible to match the correct paint as it varies so much.

Go with what you gut tells you.

My gut keeps changing, just found a reference that points the one pictured below on the left as being the “most correct.”


Hopefully those who are planning on a Swedish air craft a the headaches of a matching

[Stuart]

I think I'd go the for centre swatches.

Not on the basis at they are or are not the best matches, but I think they're close enough and the nicest combination. They contrast well with each other and look good against the blue and yellow. The disclaimer here however is that my modelling mantra probably differs from most.

[Duke Maddog]

My modeling mantra is as different as Stuart's and probably a bit more radical: based on what that former RAF pilot said; just paint it whatever looks the best for you. I never try to color match anything. If I find a color that is 'close enough', that's what I paint it. Just Do It. Think of how much progress you could have made on something during the whole time you've been looking at and comparing colors.

Okay, I'm heading back to my bench now....