What is the difference between NATO Black and Chestnut Brown?

ΔE 10 (fair). Chestnut Brown is a little lighter, warmer. Swatch colours are estimates.

NATO Black vs Chestnut Brown

NATO Black

Brand: Tamiya
Range: TS Spray
Code: TS-63
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #372124 (estimate)

Chestnut Brown

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Color
Code: 70.746
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #523536 (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 10.4, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Chestnut Brown is a little lighter, warmer than NATO Black.

Can I use Chestnut Brown instead of NATO Black?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 10). Chestnut Brown is a little lighter, warmer than NATO Black.

Can I use NATO Black instead of Chestnut Brown?

The same difference applies the other way round: NATO Black is a little darker, cooler.

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 NATO Black on the colour wheel See Chestnut Brown on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to NATO Black

NATO Black vs Dark Rust (70.771)Model Color · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Chestnut Brown
NATO Black vs Hull Red (71.039)Model Air · ΔE 7, close · closer than Chestnut Brown
NATO Black vs Black Red (70.859)Model Color · ΔE 7, close · closer than Chestnut Brown

Other Tamiya paints close to Chestnut Brown

Chestnut Brown vs Flat Brown (XF-10)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 6, very close · closer than NATO Black
Chestnut Brown vs Red Brown 2 (XF-90)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 6, very close · closer than NATO Black
Chestnut Brown vs Red Brown (XF-64)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 12, fair

All matches: NATO Black equivalents · Chestnut Brown equivalents