What is the difference between Helmet Brown and Olive Drab?

ΔE 10 (close). Olive Drab is a little lighter, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Helmet Brown vs Olive Drab

Helmet Brown

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Historical
Code: WP4161P
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #494c28 (estimate)

Olive Drab

Brand: Tamiya
Range: XF Flat Acrylic
Code: XF-62
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #525f41 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.7, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Olive Drab is a little lighter, cooler than Helmet Brown.

Can I use Olive Drab instead of Helmet Brown?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 10). Olive Drab is a little lighter, cooler than Helmet Brown.

Can I use Helmet Brown instead of Olive Drab?

The same difference applies the other way round: Helmet Brown is a little darker, warmer.

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 Helmet Brown on the colour wheel See Olive Drab on the colour wheel

Other Tamiya paints close to Helmet Brown

Helmet Brown vs Dark Green (AS-9)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Olive Drab
Helmet Brown vs Dark Green 2 (RAF) (XF-81)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 8, close · closer than Olive Drab
Helmet Brown vs Dark Green 2 (RAF) (AS-30)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 8, close · closer than Olive Drab

Other Army Painter paints close to Olive Drab

Olive Drab vs Army GreenWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 6, close · closer than Helmet Brown
Olive Drab vs Army GreenWarpaints Air · ΔE 7, close · closer than Helmet Brown
Olive Drab vs Tundra TaupeWarpaints Fanatic · ΔE 7, close · closer than Helmet Brown

All matches: Helmet Brown equivalents · Olive Drab equivalents