What is the difference between N4 Neutral Gray and USAF Light Blue?

ΔE 13 (fair). USAF Light Blue is more saturated. Swatch colours are estimates.

N4 Neutral Gray vs USAF Light Blue

N4 Neutral Gray

Brand: Golden
Range: Heavy Body Acrylics
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #575e5d (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 12.7, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. USAF Light Blue is more saturated than N4 Neutral Gray.

Can I use USAF Light Blue instead of N4 Neutral Gray?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). USAF Light Blue is more saturated than N4 Neutral Gray.

Can I use N4 Neutral Gray instead of USAF Light Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: N4 Neutral Gray is 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 N4 Neutral Gray on the colour wheel See USAF Light Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to N4 Neutral Gray

N4 Neutral Gray vs Gray Violet (71.128)Model Air · ΔE 2, very close · closer than USAF Light Blue
N4 Neutral Gray vs Neutral Grey (70.992)Model Color · ΔE 3, very close · closer than USAF Light Blue
N4 Neutral Gray vs A-14 Steel Grey (71.336)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than USAF Light Blue

Other Golden paints close to USAF Light Blue

USAF Light Blue vs Turquois (Phthalo) (PG7 / PB15:3)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 15, loose
USAF Light Blue vs Cobalt Turquois (PB36)Heavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 16, loose
USAF Light Blue vs N5 Neutral GrayHeavy Body Acrylics · ΔE 16, loose

All matches: N4 Neutral Gray equivalents · USAF Light Blue equivalents