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

ΔE 13 (fair). Sky Blue is a little lighter, more saturated, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Sky Blue

Light Blue (Luftwaffe)

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

Sky Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.961
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #6fb8cd (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 12.6, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Sky Blue is a little lighter, more saturated, cooler than Light Blue (Luftwaffe).

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

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 13). Sky Blue is a little lighter, more saturated, cooler than Light Blue (Luftwaffe).

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

The same difference applies the other way round: Light Blue (Luftwaffe) is a little darker, more muted, warmer.

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 Sky 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 Sky Blue
Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Pale Blue (70.906)Model Color · ΔE 7, close · closer than Sky Blue
Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Light Blue RLM76 (71.257)Model Air · ΔE 8, close · closer than Sky Blue

Other Tamiya paints close to Sky Blue

Sky Blue vs Light Blue (XF-23)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 9, close · closer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe)
Sky Blue vs Light Ghost Gray (AS-26)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 13, fair · closer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe)
Sky Blue vs Clear Blue (TS-72)TS Spray · ΔE 14, fair

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