What is the difference between Light Blue (Luftwaffe) and Light Blue RLM76?

ΔE 8 (close). Light Blue RLM76 is more muted, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Light Blue RLM76

Light Blue (Luftwaffe)

Brand: Tamiya
Range: AS Spray (aircraft)
Code: AS-5
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #7ca9ac (estimate)

Light Blue RLM76

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.257
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #8ba59f (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 7.7, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Light Blue RLM76 is more muted, warmer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe).

Can I use Light Blue RLM76 instead of Light Blue (Luftwaffe)?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 8). Light Blue RLM76 is more muted, warmer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe).

Can I use Light Blue (Luftwaffe) instead of Light Blue RLM76?

The same difference applies the other way round: Light Blue (Luftwaffe) 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 Light Blue (Luftwaffe) on the colour wheel See Light Blue RLM76 on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Light Blue (Luftwaffe)

Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Flanker Blue (71.337)Model Air · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Light Blue RLM76
Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Pale Blue (70.906)Model Color · ΔE 7, close · closer than Light Blue RLM76
Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Light Blue RLM65 (71.255)Model Air · ΔE 8, close

Other Tamiya paints close to Light Blue RLM76

Light Blue RLM76 vs Light Gray (IJA) (AS-18)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe)
Light Blue RLM76 vs Medium Sea Gray 2 (RAF) (XF-83)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe)
Light Blue RLM76 vs Medium Sea Gray (RAF) (AS-32)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe)

All matches: Light Blue (Luftwaffe) equivalents · Light Blue RLM76 equivalents