What is the difference between Light Blue (Luftwaffe) and Unders. Blue “Faded”?

ΔE 10 (close). Unders. Blue “Faded” is cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Unders. Blue “Faded”

Light Blue (Luftwaffe)

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

Unders. Blue “Faded”

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.332
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #7da9bd (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.7, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Unders. Blue “Faded” is cooler than Light Blue (Luftwaffe).

Can I use Unders. Blue “Faded” instead of Light Blue (Luftwaffe)?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 10). Unders. Blue “Faded” is cooler than Light Blue (Luftwaffe).

Can I use Light Blue (Luftwaffe) instead of Unders. Blue “Faded”?

The same difference applies the other way round: Light Blue (Luftwaffe) is 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 Unders. Blue “Faded” 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 Unders. Blue “Faded”
Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Pale Blue (70.906)Model Color · ΔE 7, close · closer than Unders. Blue “Faded”
Light Blue (Luftwaffe) vs Light Blue RLM76 (71.257)Model Air · ΔE 8, close · closer than Unders. Blue “Faded”

Other Tamiya paints close to Unders. Blue “Faded”

Unders. Blue “Faded” vs Light Ghost Gray (AS-26)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe)
Unders. Blue “Faded” vs Dark Ghost Gray (AS-25)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 9, close · closer than Light Blue (Luftwaffe)
Unders. Blue “Faded” vs Light Sea Gray (XF-25)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 11, fair

All matches: Light Blue (Luftwaffe) equivalents · Unders. Blue “Faded” equivalents