What is the difference between French Army Desert Sand and USAF Tan?

ΔE 9 (close). USAF Tan is a little darker. Swatch colours are estimates.

French Army Desert Sand vs USAF Tan

French Army Desert Sand

Brand: AK Interactive
Range: 3rd Gen AFV Series
Code: AK11363
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #caa16f (estimate)

USAF Tan

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.348
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #b4885c (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.5, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. USAF Tan is a little darker than French Army Desert Sand.

Can I use USAF Tan instead of French Army Desert Sand?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 9). USAF Tan is a little darker than French Army Desert Sand.

Can I use French Army Desert Sand instead of USAF Tan?

The same difference applies the other way round: French Army Desert Sand is a little lighter.

ΔE is the colour difference between our two swatch estimates: under about 6 is close, over about 15 is loose. Real paints also differ in finish, coverage and how they thin, so test before you commit.

See French Army Desert Sand on the colour wheel See USAF Tan on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to French Army Desert Sand

French Army Desert Sand vs Khaki (72.061)Game Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than USAF Tan
French Army Desert Sand vs Barbarian Skin (72.071)Game Color · ΔE 5, very close · closer than USAF Tan
French Army Desert Sand vs Pale Sand (70.837)Model Color · ΔE 9, close

Other AK Interactive paints close to USAF Tan

USAF Tan vs CARC Tan 686A (FS33446) (AK11349)3rd Gen AFV Series · ΔE 6, very close · closer than French Army Desert Sand
USAF Tan vs RAL 8020 Braun (AK11331)3rd Gen AFV Series · ΔE 6, close · closer than French Army Desert Sand
USAF Tan vs RAL 1039 F9 Sandbeige (AK11325)3rd Gen AFV Series · ΔE 8, close · closer than French Army Desert Sand

All matches: French Army Desert Sand equivalents · USAF Tan equivalents