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

ΔE 7 (close). Pale Blue is a little darker, more muted. Swatch colours are estimates.

Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Pale Blue

Light Blue (Luftwaffe)

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

Pale Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.906
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #829c9e (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 7.2, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Pale Blue is a little darker, more muted than Light Blue (Luftwaffe).

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

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 7). Pale Blue is a little darker, more muted than Light Blue (Luftwaffe).

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

The same difference applies the other way round: Light Blue (Luftwaffe) is a little lighter, 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 Light Blue (Luftwaffe) on the colour wheel See Pale Blue 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 Pale Blue
Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Light Blue RLM76 (71.257)Model Air · ΔE 8, close
Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Light Blue RLM65 (71.255)Model Air · ΔE 8, close

Other Tamiya paints close to Pale Blue

Pale Blue vs Light Gray (IJA) (AS-18)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe)
Pale Blue vs Neutral Gray (USAF) (AS-7)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 6, very close · closer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe)
Pale Blue vs Light Gray (IJN) (AS-2)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 7, close · closer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe)

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