IJN/IJA Aotake vs IDF Blue

How close are they?

ΔE 12.9, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. IDF Blue is a little lighter, more muted than IJN/IJA Aotake.

Can I use IDF 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 13). IDF Blue is a little lighter, more muted than IJN/IJA Aotake.

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

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