What is the difference between Gray Green (Luftwaffe) and USAF Green?

ΔE 8 (close). USAF Green is more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

Gray Green (Luftwaffe) vs USAF Green

Gray Green (Luftwaffe)

Brand: Tamiya
Range: AS Spray (aircraft)
Code: AS-3
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #335861 (estimate)

USAF Green

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.124
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #445455 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 8.1, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. USAF Green is more muted than Gray Green (Luftwaffe).

Can I use USAF Green instead of Gray Green (Luftwaffe)?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 8). USAF Green is more muted than Gray Green (Luftwaffe).

Can I use Gray Green (Luftwaffe) instead of USAF Green?

The same difference applies the other way round: Gray Green (Luftwaffe) is more saturated.

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 Gray Green (Luftwaffe) on the colour wheel See USAF Green on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Gray Green (Luftwaffe)

Gray Green (Luftwaffe) vs Field Blue (70.964)Model Color · ΔE 9, close
Gray Green (Luftwaffe) vs IJN Deep Dark Green (71.310)Model Air · ΔE 9, close
Gray Green (Luftwaffe) vs Faded P.R.U. Blue (71.109)Model Air · ΔE 9, close

Other Tamiya paints close to USAF Green

USAF Green vs RLM Gray (XF-22)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Gray Green (Luftwaffe)
USAF Green vs German Gray (TS-4)TS Spray · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Gray Green (Luftwaffe)
USAF Green vs Gray Violet (Luftwaffe) (AS-4)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Gray Green (Luftwaffe)

All matches: Gray Green (Luftwaffe) equivalents · USAF Green equivalents