What is the difference between Paratrooper Tan and Tan (USAF)?

ΔE 15 (fair). Tan (USAF) is a little lighter, more saturated. Swatch colours are estimates.

Paratrooper Tan vs Tan (USAF)

Paratrooper Tan

Brand: Army Painter
Range: Warpaints Fanatic
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #9e7b6c (estimate)

Tan (USAF)

Brand: Tamiya
Range: AS Spray (aircraft)
Code: AS-15
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #b5926c (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 14.8, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Tan (USAF) is a little lighter, more saturated than Paratrooper Tan.

Can I use Tan (USAF) instead of Paratrooper Tan?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 15). Tan (USAF) is a little lighter, more saturated than Paratrooper Tan.

Can I use Paratrooper Tan instead of Tan (USAF)?

The same difference applies the other way round: Paratrooper Tan is a little darker, more muted.

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 Paratrooper Tan on the colour wheel See Tan (USAF) on the colour wheel

Other Tamiya paints close to Paratrooper Tan

Paratrooper Tan vs Red Brown (TS-1)TS Spray · ΔE 11, fair · closer than Tan (USAF)
Paratrooper Tan vs Dark Earth (AS-22)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 12, fair · closer than Tan (USAF)
Paratrooper Tan vs Buff (XF-57)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 17, loose

Other Army Painter paints close to Tan (USAF)

Tan (USAF) vs Mid Khaki Drill (WP4135P)Warpaints Historical · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Paratrooper Tan
Tan (USAF) vs Charred BoneWarpaints Air · ΔE 7, close · closer than Paratrooper Tan
Tan (USAF) vs Kobold SkinWarpaints Air · ΔE 7, close · closer than Paratrooper Tan

All matches: Paratrooper Tan equivalents · Tan (USAF) equivalents