What is the difference between Gray Green and USAAF Light Gray?

ΔE 5 (very close). USAAF Light Gray is more muted, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Gray Green vs USAAF Light Gray

Gray Green

Brand: Tamiya
Range: XF Flat Acrylic
Code: XF-76
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #a8b59b (estimate)

USAAF Light Gray

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.296
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #b0b3a0 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 5.4, very close: most people won’t see a difference side by side. USAAF Light Gray is more muted, warmer than Gray Green.

Can I use USAAF Light Gray instead of Gray Green?

Yes, for most jobs. Very close match (ΔE 5). USAAF Light Gray is more muted, warmer than Gray Green.

Can I use Gray Green instead of USAAF Light Gray?

The same difference applies the other way round: Gray Green is more saturated, 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 Gray Green on the colour wheel See USAAF Light Gray on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Gray Green

Gray Green vs IJA Light Grey Green (71.321)Model Air · ΔE 6, close
Gray Green vs IJA Grey Green (71.326)Model Air · ΔE 7, close
Gray Green vs Light Blue (71.328)Model Air · ΔE 7, close

Other Tamiya paints close to USAAF Light Gray

USAAF Light Gray vs Medium Sea Gray (AS-11)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Gray Green
USAAF Light Gray vs Gray Green (AS-29)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 5, very close
USAAF Light Gray vs Light Gray (AS-16)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 7, close

All matches: Gray Green equivalents · USAAF Light Gray equivalents