What is the difference between Desert Yellow and USAF Tan?

ΔE 10 (close). USAF Tan is a little darker, more muted, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Desert Yellow vs USAF Tan

Desert Yellow

Brand: AMMO by Mig
Range: IONIC Smart Colors
Code: IONIC-0142
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #b9975b (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 9.8, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. USAF Tan is a little darker, more muted, warmer than Desert Yellow.

Can I use USAF Tan instead of Desert Yellow?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 10). USAF Tan is a little darker, more muted, warmer than Desert Yellow.

Can I use Desert Yellow instead of USAF Tan?

The same difference applies the other way round: Desert Yellow is a little lighter, more saturated, cooler.

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 Desert Yellow on the colour wheel See USAF Tan on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Desert Yellow

Desert Yellow vs Dark Sand (70.847)Model Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than USAF Tan
Desert Yellow vs Barbarian Skin (72.071)Game Color · ΔE 7, close · closer than USAF Tan
Desert Yellow vs Iraqi Sand (70.819)Model Color · ΔE 8, close · closer than USAF Tan

Other AMMO by Mig paints close to USAF Tan

USAF Tan vs Uniform Sand Yellow FS-32555 (AMMO.F-510)Acrylic Colors for Figures · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Desert Yellow
USAF Tan vs Medium Soil (A.MIG-3522)Oilbrusher · ΔE 10, close
USAF Tan vs Washable Dust (ATOM-20178)ATOM · ΔE 10, close

All matches: Desert Yellow equivalents · USAF Tan equivalents