IJN/IJA Aotake vs Thunderhawk Blue

How close are they?

ΔE 12.1, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Thunderhawk Blue is a little darker, more muted than IJN/IJA Aotake.

Can I use Thunderhawk Blue instead of IJN/IJA Aotake?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). Thunderhawk Blue is a little darker, more muted than IJN/IJA Aotake.

Can I use IJN/IJA Aotake instead of Thunderhawk Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: IJN/IJA Aotake is a little lighter, more saturated.

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.