What is the difference between NATO Brown and Sand Yellow RLM79?

ΔE 11 (fair). Sand Yellow RLM79 is a little lighter, cooler. Swatch colours are estimates.

NATO Brown vs Sand Yellow RLM79

NATO Brown

Brand: Tamiya
Range: XF Flat Acrylic
Code: XF-68
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #70523a (estimate)

Sand Yellow RLM79

Brand: Vallejo
Range: Model Air
Code: 71.278
Type: an opaque base/layer paint
Swatch: #876b4a (estimate)

How close are they?

ΔE 10.8, fair: the same colour family, but not a straight swap. Sand Yellow RLM79 is a little lighter, cooler than NATO Brown.

Can I use Sand Yellow RLM79 instead of NATO Brown?

Only where an exact match doesn’t matter, such as a new unit or a highlight. Fair match (ΔE 11). Sand Yellow RLM79 is a little lighter, cooler than NATO Brown.

Can I use NATO Brown instead of Sand Yellow RLM79?

The same difference applies the other way round: NATO Brown is a little darker, 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 NATO Brown on the colour wheel See Sand Yellow RLM79 on the colour wheel

Other Vallejo paints close to NATO Brown

NATO Brown vs Beige Brown (70.875)Model Color · ΔE 3, very close · closer than Sand Yellow RLM79
NATO Brown vs Golden Brown (71.032)Model Air · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Sand Yellow RLM79
NATO Brown vs USA Flat Brown (71.026)Model Air · ΔE 4, very close · closer than Sand Yellow RLM79

Other Tamiya paints close to Sand Yellow RLM79

Sand Yellow RLM79 vs Brown (JGSDF) (XF-72)XF Flat Acrylic · ΔE 6, very close · closer than NATO Brown
Sand Yellow RLM79 vs Brown (JGSDF) (TS-90)TS Spray · ΔE 6, very close · closer than NATO Brown
Sand Yellow RLM79 vs Red Brown (TS-1)TS Spray · ΔE 9, close · closer than NATO Brown

All matches: NATO Brown equivalents · Sand Yellow RLM79 equivalents