What is the difference between Medium Blue and Russian AF Blue?

ΔE 9 (close). Russian AF Blue is a little lighter. Swatch colours are estimates.

Medium Blue vs Russian AF Blue

Medium Blue

Brand: Tamiya
Range: XF Flat Acrylic
Code: XF-18
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #1a7b9e (estimate)

Russian AF Blue

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.333
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #3692bb (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 9.4, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Russian AF Blue is a little lighter than Medium Blue.

Can I use Russian AF Blue instead of Medium Blue?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 9). Russian AF Blue is a little lighter than Medium Blue.

Can I use Medium Blue instead of Russian AF Blue?

The same difference applies the other way round: Medium Blue is a little darker.

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 Medium Blue on the colour wheel See Russian AF Blue on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to Medium Blue

Medium Blue vs Light Turquoise (70.840)Model Color · ΔE 9, close · closer than Russian AF Blue
Medium Blue vs Turquoise (72.024)Game Color · ΔE 11, fair
Medium Blue vs Blue Green (70.808)Model Color · ΔE 12, fair

Other Tamiya paints close to Russian AF Blue

Russian AF Blue vs Intermediate Blue (US Navy) (AS-19)AS Spray (aircraft) · ΔE 8, close · closer than Medium Blue
Russian AF Blue vs Field Blue (XF-50)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 8, close · closer than Medium Blue
Russian AF Blue vs French Blue (TS-10)TS Spray · ΔE 15, fair

All matches: Medium Blue equivalents · Russian AF Blue equivalents