A Matter of Color

In previous editions of Internet Modeler, we've looked at different color standards and where we can get paints to match. The first two subject areas, US Navy Ship Colors in WW2 and Luftwaffe WW2 RLM Colors, turned out to be useful references, but invariably I receive new data or information on new paint lines that require these tables to be revised. In fact we've published revisions on both of these tables. Even after these revisions were published, more useful data has come in and will likely to continue into the future.

For the sake of space on Internet Modeler, I'll publish a new topic area periodically here, and then maintain the tables out on Cybermodeler (www.cybermodeler.com). This way I can post the latest color data for any given subject area and add a revision date. In addition to keeping these color references available, I've also posted three rather sizable manuals out there, color and marking guides for USAF, USN/USMC and US Army aircraft. Enjoy!

In this installment, we'll look at the very color standard in use by the United States and which I've been using to identify color approximations for color standards from other nations and eras. Of course we're talking about Federal Standard 595 (FS595) and its revisions. We're currently using FS595b, which was released several years ago to address some new colors and one discrepancy. I suspect that we're due for FS595c in the near future.

A note about FS 595 - when breaking down an FS number, such as 34087, the first digit in an indicates the degree of gloss of the color: 1 is gloss; 2 is satin/semi-gloss; and 3 is lusterless/flat. The second digit categorizes the color: 0 is brown; 1 is red; 2 is orange; 3 is yellow; 4 is green; 5 is blue; 6 is grey; 7 is miscellaneous; and 8 is fluorescent. The remaining three digits are assigned to catalog the increasing degree of reflectance.

I tried to fit the FS595 table with all of the paints from around the world that match into the width of this article and with no success. To view the table, follow this link.

I hope you'll find these references useful when trying to find an equivalent color to the H323 listed in your kit instructions. As you'll see, there are quite a few options available should you find yourself low on paint. Check back at Cybermodeler for the latest updated to these tables.