What is the difference between Field Gray and USAF Light Blue?

ΔE 6 (close). USAF Light Blue is a little darker, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Field Gray vs USAF Light Blue

Field Gray

Brand: Tamiya
Range: XF Flat Acrylic
Code: XF-65
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #4b6f7d (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 6.3, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. USAF Light Blue is a little darker, warmer than Field Gray.

Can I use USAF Light Blue instead of Field Gray?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 6). USAF Light Blue is a little darker, warmer than Field Gray.

Can I use Field Gray instead of USAF Light Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Field Gray is a little lighter, 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 Field Gray on the colour wheel See USAF Light Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Field Gray

Field Gray vs Faded P.R.U. Blue (71.109)Model Air · ΔE 2, very close · closer than USAF Light Blue
Field Gray vs IDF Blue (71.113)Model Air · ΔE 5, very close · closer than USAF Light Blue
Field Gray vs Medium Gray (71.114)Model Air · ΔE 7, close

Other Tamiya paints close to USAF Light Blue

USAF Light Blue vs Light Gray (XF-66)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Field Gray
USAF Light Blue vs Field Gray 2 (TS-78)TS Spray · ΔE 6, close
USAF Light Blue vs Dark Gray (XF-24)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 7, close

All matches: Field Gray equivalents · USAF Light Blue equivalents