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

ΔE 7 (close). USAAF Light Gray is a little darker, more saturated. Swatch colours are estimates.

Light Gray vs USAAF Light Gray

Light Gray

Brand: Tamiya
Range: AS Spray (aircraft)
Code: AS-16
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #c2bbb1 (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 7.4, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. USAAF Light Gray is a little darker, more saturated than Light Gray.

Can I use USAAF Light Gray instead of Light Gray?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 7). USAAF Light Gray is a little darker, more saturated than Light Gray.

Can I use Light Gray instead of USAAF Light Gray?

The same difference applies the other way round: Light Gray is a little lighter, more muted.

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 Gray on the colour wheel See USAAF Light Gray on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Light Gray

Light Gray vs Silver Grey (70.883)Model Color · ΔE 4, very close · closer than USAAF Light Gray
Light Gray vs USAF Light Gray (71.276)Model Air · ΔE 6, very close · closer than USAAF Light Gray
Light Gray vs Stonewall Grey (72.049)Game Color · ΔE 6, close · closer than USAAF Light Gray

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 Light Gray
USAAF Light Gray vs Gray Green (XF-76)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Light Gray
USAAF Light Gray vs Gray Green (AS-29)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 5, very close · closer than Light Gray

All matches: Light Gray equivalents · USAAF Light Gray equivalents