What is the difference between Lucky 38 and USAF Light Blue?

ΔE 15 (loose). USAF Light Blue is a little darker, more muted, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Lucky 38 vs USAF Light Blue

Lucky 38

Brand: Bear Cavalry
Range: Bear Cavalry Paints
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #48818b (estimate)

USAF Light Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.111
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #4d6476 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 15.4, loose: different enough that you should pick on purpose. USAF Light Blue is a little darker, more muted, cooler than Lucky 38.

Can I use USAF Light Blue instead of Lucky 38?

Not as a straight swap; see the closer alternatives below. Loose match (ΔE 15). USAF Light Blue is a little darker, more muted, cooler than Lucky 38.

Can I use Lucky 38 instead of USAF Light Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Lucky 38 is a little lighter, more saturated, 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 Lucky 38 on the colour wheel See USAF Light Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Lucky 38

Lucky 38 vs Blue Green (70.808)Model Color · ΔE 6, very close · closer than USAF Light Blue
Lucky 38 vs AMT-7 Greyish Blue (71.318)Model Air · ΔE 8, close · closer than USAF Light Blue
Lucky 38 vs Pale Blue (71.008)Model Air · ΔE 9, close · closer than USAF Light Blue

Other Bear Cavalry paints close to USAF Light Blue

USAF Light Blue vs Bismark's GraveBear Cavalry Paints · ΔE 9, close · closer than Lucky 38
USAF Light Blue vs Dark Eternal NightBear Cavalry Paints · ΔE 16, loose
USAF Light Blue vs Hell Bent for LeatherBear Cavalry Paints · ΔE 16, loose

All matches: Lucky 38 equivalents · USAF Light Blue equivalents