Thunderhawk Blue vs USAF Light Blue

How close are they?

ΔE 11.8, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. USAF Light Blue is noticeably lighter than Thunderhawk Blue.

Can I use USAF Light Blue instead of Thunderhawk Blue?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 12). USAF Light Blue is noticeably lighter than Thunderhawk Blue.

Can I use Thunderhawk Blue instead of USAF Light Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Thunderhawk Blue is noticeably darker.

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.