What is the difference between Steel Legion Drab and USAF Brown?

ΔE 13 (fair). USAF Brown is noticeably lighter, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Steel Legion Drab vs USAF Brown

Steel Legion Drab

Brand: Citadel / Warhammer
Range: Colour: Base
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #5a4a3a (estimate)

USAF Brown

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.125
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #7c6758 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 12.7, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. USAF Brown is noticeably lighter, warmer than Steel Legion Drab.

Can I use USAF Brown instead of Steel Legion Drab?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). USAF Brown is noticeably lighter, warmer than Steel Legion Drab.

Can I use Steel Legion Drab instead of USAF Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: Steel Legion Drab is noticeably darker, 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 Steel Legion Drab on the colour wheel See USAF Brown on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Steel Legion Drab

Steel Legion Drab vs Camou. Pale Brown (71.035)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than USAF Brown
Steel Legion Drab vs US Field Drab (71.139)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than USAF Brown
Steel Legion Drab vs IJA Khaki Brown (71.287)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than USAF Brown

Other Citadel paints close to USAF Brown

USAF Brown vs Stormvermin FurColour: Layer · ΔE 8, close · closer than Steel Legion Drab
USAF Brown vs Sylvaneth BarkColour: Dry · ΔE 9, close · closer than Steel Legion Drab
USAF Brown vs DawnstoneColour: Layer · ΔE 13, fair

All matches: Steel Legion Drab equivalents · USAF Brown equivalents