The RLM system is probably the most widely known system of all paint systems in the 2nd world war, and a lot of modellers are known with it’s nomenclature. Still there is interesting information to be told about this system, and while other websites also do a very good job of accurately describing the colours with their matching modelling paints, they often lack the more rarely used colours, and wider context and history.

As with all pages of this type, the colours shown are an approximation. Monitors can change the colour displayed and don’t account for shading and glossiness.
In reality these colours would also fade over time, and different batches had slightly different tones.
The accuracy of the paints can be off. They’re mostly taken from the manufacturer, from painting manuals and bits on the internet. They should resemble the actual colour closely, but use at your own discretion.

RAL 840 F, for office furniture stains

Beginnings: The RAL

The RAL, Reichsausschuss für Lieferbedingungen, (State Committee for Delivery Conditions) was a German institute formed on April 23 1925, just after the first world war. While it was under supervision of the German Ministry of Economic Affairs, it was an legally independent entity. In the beginning it was tasked with quality assurance by labelling goods and services.

In 1927, the RAL published with it’s first colour standard for general industrial usage, RAL 840. By creating a system of standardized colours the cost of paints could be reduced due to economy of scale. By prioritizing local pigments, imports could be reduced as foreign currencies were scarce and the Reichs mark was worthless in foreign countries. The system contained 40 colours most widely used; 13 base shades and 27 more created by mixing those. During the following decade the amount of colours increased to more than 100 shades as new government organizations, such as the posts and railways, needed new shades. As a result the RAL 840 was split into multiple standards.

RAL 840 B

On the 1st of November 1927 the RAL 840B was published. This was and extendsion with a new range of 40 colours for vehicle usage.

RAL 840 B2

On April 30 1932 an updated version of RAL 840 B was published, which was designated RAL 840 B2 in June to avoid confusion. Over time, these colours proved insufficient and new colours were added via supplementary sheets, or Ergänzungsblätter.

RAL 840 R

In 1939-1940 this wild growth of colours led to a new numbering system under influence of the Wehrmacht, The RAL 840 R (=Revision). Under this reworked system every colour was given a four number code and a name. The first digit indicated the main group or shade. Each group started with the ‘pure’ shade, and moved in small intervals to the next ‘pure’ shade in the following group. This system was applied widely within all arms of the German government and armed forces such as the police, army, navy. It remains in use to this date as RAL 840 HR. At least initially it was also used by the air force, although copied via it’s own system.

RAL 1xxxYellowRAL 6xxxGreen
RAL 2xxxOrangeRAL 7xxxGrey
RAL 3xxxRedRAL 8xxxBrown
RAL 4xxxVioletRAL 9xxxWhite and Black
RAL 5xxxBlue
RAL 840 R color groups

RLM

The RLM, abbreviation of Reichsluftfahrtministerium, was the German Ministry of Aviation. It was in charge of all matters concerning German aviation, such as aircraft development and standardization within the Luftwaffe, the German Air Force. The ministry was founded in 1933 and oversaw the standardization of, among other things, aircraft paints and camouflage patterns within the Luftwaffe.

When the RLM stopped using the RAL systems isn’t exactly known, but by March 1935, when the Luftwaffe was revealed, the RLM had already a system in place, largely similar to the RAL 840 R, however the system was already in use from at least February. Why the RLM choose to diverge from the RAL four digit to their own two digit codes is unknown, but it might be because the RAL was thought to be too unwieldy, or because a two digit code better fitted their Flugzeug Werkstoffen (Aircraft materials) number system, often shortened as Flw. number.

The Flw system

This was a new system by the RLM spanned the entire military procurement of materials and ranged from 0000 to 9999. These were sometimes subdivided with a decimal suffix to give additional information, such as material grade, treatment or colour. The first documentation of these occurred in 1935, in the ‘Fliegwerkstoffe.- Handbuch für die Auswahl der im deutschen Flugzeug-, Flugmotoren- und Luftfahrtgerätebau zu verwendenden Werkstoffe, Herausgegeben vom Reichsluftfahrtministerium Werkstoffabeteilung, 1935’ (Aeronautical materials.- Handbook for the selection of materials to be used in German aircraft, aircraft engines and aircraft equipment construction, Part I: Metallic materials, issued by the RLM material department, 1935).

Rangesubdivision
0000-3999.0-.9, material treatmentmetals: steel, gun metal, brass, bronze, aluminium magnesium alloy, etc.
5000-6000Various rubbers, leather, textiles, paper, etc.
7100-7199none initially, later
.- or .00-.99
Aircraft lacquer bases. At the end of the war only ~50 codes had been utilized.
7200-7299N.APaint thinners
7300-7499 Colours of corrosion proofing of materials
7500-9999Lime, asbestos, ceramic materials and glass.
Various ranges within list of Flugzeug Werkstoffen

The 7100-7199 range here only described the base lacquers. And while these often had a natural colour, this could vary from batch to batch. To identify the specific colour, a two digit code would be used as suffix. For example, 7102.02 would be the 7102 lacquer, which is almost translucent with a slight green tint mixed with the RLM 02 colouring pigments. .00, .- and .99 held special meanings: 00 meant a clear finish, showing the colour underneath. If no pigments were added to the lacquer the .- suffix was used. This was later replaced with .99 as early computers (Hollerith machines, or Tabulating machines) couldn’t handle the dash.

These two digit codes would become known as the well known RLM colours. It should be noted however that these first RLM colours were relabelled RAL 840 R colours.

100 numbers were allocated in blocks of 20 (21 for the last block) for the paints.

RangeGerman nameNotes
00-19Grundraben (Innen-Aussen-anstrichtBase colour (Internal-external base finish)
20-39KennzeichnungsfarbenMarking colours
40-59SonderfarbenSpecial colours
60-79TarnanstrichfarbenCamouflage colours
80-100This block had no purpose allocated, but might have been intended as an overflow block, as it was used as such with new camouflage colours being placed in this range.

3 February 1935: Warnecke und Böhm company letter

The first documented appearance of the new RLM system is in a company letter from the paint manufacturer Warnecke un Böhm from 3 February 1935. It includes a written list of colours, including multiple that don’t appear on later RLM publications, such as 07 saturnrot, 32 hellgelb en and silbergrau.

This would indicate that the system was already in place for at least some time, however any documentation about the incarnation of the system have been lost to date.

1936: Richtlinien für die Entwicklungen geeigneter Flugzeuglacke

In 1936 a document addressed to the German paint manufacturing industry was published titled “Richtlinien für die Entwicklungen geeigneter Flugzeuglacke” (Guidelines for the development of suitable aircraft paint). It was addressed to the German paint manufacturing industry, likely by the RLM (This isn’t actually known, but no other government branch would have vested interst in publishing such a document).

The original document hasn’t been found, only a reissue “2/1938”. The B. likely means a 1st part existed of this document. The main statement of the document was that all paints should use locally procured materials, as imports were difficult due to scarecity of foreign currency. It also stated that, if the RLM requested as such, manufacturers had to grant other companies licences and knowledge to start-up paint production.

1936: Luftwaffen Dienstvorschriften L.Dv. 521

The RLM regulations for colour shade, production and application were proclaimed by Luftwaffen Dienstvorschriften L.Dv. 521 (=air force regulations L.Dv. 521) starting early 1936. It was split in three parts:

  • L.Dv. 521/1 Behandlungs- und Anwendungsvorschrift für Flugzeuglacke, Teil 1: Motorfleugzeuge.
    Handling and application instructions for aircraft paints, Part 1: powered aircraft
  • L.Dv. 521/2 Behandlungs- und Anwendungsvorschrift für Flugzeuglacke, Teil 2: Segelflugzeuge.
    Handling and application instructions for aircraft paints, Part 2: gliders
  • L.Dv. 521/3 Einer Vorschrift zum ausbessern von Fleugzeuglackierungen
    specification for touching up aircraft paintwork

The earliest known surviving version, a revision of L.Dv. 521/1, was issued in march 1938. Some colours, including the RLM 61, 62 and 63, were still correlated to the RAL 840 R system. (RAL 8019, 6002 and 7004 respectively.)

Original RLM Colour table from the L.Dv. 521/1, March 1938.

In November 1941 the L.Dv. 521/1 was revisited, although it was still marked as Ausgabe 1938 (= edition 1938). The L.Dv. 521/1 (1941) contained three new colours: RLM 74,75 and 76. RLM 61, 62 and 63 were no longer used for aircraft and done away with. Strangely RLM 02 and RLM 66 were changed. RLM 66 was changed from RAL 7019 to RAL 7021. RLM 02 was made more intense and darker.
RLM 78 and 79 were not ready at the time of printing and were attached last-minute by loose paint chips stuck to a blank page in the manual.

Revisited L.Dv. 521/1 Colour table from November 1941. Note that the title still notes 1938.

Full Colour Table

RLM 00-19, Grundfarben

The purpose of this block is to denote primer colours, however during the war most colours were used as regular camouflage as well. Of this block only five numbers appear on RLM colour charts, RLM 00, 01, 02, 04 and 11. Two more appear somewhere on official documents; RLM 03 and 07. Their exact purpose remains unknown however. RLM 05 doen’t appear on official charts either, but was widelely used for non-military purposes. RLM 06, 08, 09 and 10 seem to have been assigned at some point, but no documentation has been found.

RLM number Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK Ammo MIG
RLM 00
Wasserhell
transparant RAL-9000   X-35 71.058  
Clear gloss protection coating
Primer
RLM 01
Silber
Silver RAL-9006
FS-17178
             
Undercarriage
The first aircraft of the Luftwaffe were in this color
RLM 02
RLM-Grau
Grey-green RAL-7003
FS-34159
H070
C060
33%XF-2
33%XF-49
33%XF-22
71044 HTK-*023 MRP-050 AK11811
AK11812
RC265 / RC932
RC266 / RC933
RC
217
Extensively used as cockpit colour before 1943.
Interior colour; wheel wells, engine compartment, ect.
Overall colour of prototype, trainer and liaison aircraft
Early camouflage upper side
Sometimes used as a replacement for RLM 76 in the late war night fighter camouflage scheme
RLM 03
Silbergrau
Silver                
mostly used before the war and discarded early on as it doesn’t appear on any colour charts.
RLM 04
Gelb
Yellow RAL-1004
FS-37200
H413
C113
XF-03 71078 HTK-*066 MRP-051 AK11813
RC267 / RC934
 
ID markings, bands, underside of the wingtips and cowlings
underside of captured aircraft
RLM 05
Elfenbein
Ivory FS-13618
RAL 1001
    71106
70806
    RC046  
overall colour of some experimental gliders and experimental aircraft. It doesn’t appear on colour charts after 1936, but remained in use as colour for paramilitary gliders of the NSKF (Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps) until 1945. Even L.Dv. 521/2 doesn’t contain this colour, as the specification only handles markings and registration codes.
RLM 07
Saturnrot
Bright orange                
Referenced in a document from 3 February 1935 , however it’s purpose remains unknown and it never appeared on official colour charts.
A colour matching the description has been found on the lower internal metal structure of the Australian War memorial Me 163 B. It’s however unknown if this is actually RLM 07. (Merrick, 2005)
RLM 11
Grau
                 
Appears on the first 1936 colour chart, but scrapped afterwards. It’s purpose and exact shade remain unknown.

RLM 20-39, Kennzechnungsfarben

These colours were used for markings, both identification markings on the fuselage (roundels, numbers, warning labels, etc.), as well as colours for internal systems such as electrical and oxygen systems.

RLM number Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK Ammo MIG
RLM 21
Weiß
White RAL-9001         MRP-004    
markings, fuselage bands, numbers.
winter camouflage, by applying the paint dissolved in patrol on the plane, easily worn
RLM 22
Schwarz
Black RAL-9004         MRP-005    
markings and fuselage codes
7120.22: removable night camouflage. Applied on the underside of aircraft over RLM 65. May be applied in the field, or by the manufacturer. Must be removed after 8 days.
7124.22: permanent night camouflage.
RLM 23
Rot
Red RAL-3001 H414
C114
XF-07 71102 HTK-103 MRP-052    
Identification markings
RLM 24
Dunkelblau
Dark blue RAL-5000 H015   71266 HTK-*102 MRP-053 RC010  
Identification markings
Oxygen systems
RLM 25
Hellgrün
Light green RAL-6000 H094   71267 HTK-*270 MRP-054    
Identification markings
RLM 26
Braun
Brown RAL-8004     71105        
electric systems
General usage
RLM 27
Gelb
Yellow RAL-1003              
Usage is same as RLM 04, but a different recipe and used less. Slightly different colour, but often not differentiated. Officially used for lacquering of internal wooden parts
RLM 28
Weinrot
  RAL-3008              
stepping zone area’s on the wings
Identification markings

RLM 40-59, Sonderfarben

Translating to “special colours”, this block is the least filled. There isn’t much known about these colours, and as far as we know they were scrapped before the publication of the L.Dv. 521 in 1938.

RLM number Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK Ammo MIG
RLM 41
Grau
Grey                
Interior and instrument panels of some very early planes, however seldom used
scrapped before the first publication of L.Dv. 521
RLM 42
Grau
Grey       71123        
scrapped before the first publication of L.Dv. 521

RLM 60-79, Tarnanstrichfarben

Camouflage colours, these colours were used as external finishes on aircraft.

RLM 64 is curiously missing from the list. It hasn’t been found in any official documentation, but it is sometimes depicted by secondary sources as a olive green or light blue. Some theories about it being an export colour on Turkish He-111’s exists as well. However these are all unsourced speculation, an thus I opted to not include RLM 64 in the table.

RLM number Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK Ammo MIG
RLM 61 Dunkelbraun RAL-8019       *168 MRP-055 AK11814
RC268
 
Pre war camouflage scheme, spanish civil war with RLM 62 and RLM 63
RLM 62 Grün RAL-6002     71.114 *169 MRP-056 AK11815
RC269
 
Pre war camouflage scheme, spanish civil war with RLM 61 and RLM 63
RLM 63 Hellgrau RAL-7004     71.260 *167 MRP-057 AK11816
RC270
266
Pre war camouflage scheme, spanish civil war with RLM 61 and RLM 62
RLM 65 Hellblau   H-067
C-115
N-067
S-115
XF-23 71.255 *029 MRP-058 AK11817
AK11818
RC271 / RC935
RC272 / RC936
231
general undersurface for all aircraft, after 1941 no longer for fighters
RLM 66
(1937)
Schwarzgrau RAL 7019 H-416
C-116
  71.055 *040 MRP-059 AK11819
RC339 / RC937
218
Some use in identification markings.
Instrument panel colour from 1938 onward, together with a RLM 02 finish of other internal surfaces.
RLM 66
(1941)
Schwarzgrau RAL 7019 H-416
C-116
  71.055 *040 MRP-059 AK11820
RC273 / RC938
218
Interior colour from 1941 onward, but only area’s visible from the outside, other area’s stayed RLM 02
Some use in identification markings.
Had a more lighter and greener touch before it was changed in the 1941 revision of the L.Dv. 521/1. It is unknown why the colour was changed, but if might have to do with it use as cockpit colour.
RLM 68 Schwarzgrün                
 
RLM 69 Dunkelgrün                
 
RLM 70 Schwartzgrün   H-065
C-018
90%XF-11
10%XF-1
  *015 MPR-060 AK11821
RC274 / RC939
232
bomber camouflage, early fighters
propeller blades
RLM 71 Dunkelgrün   H-064
C-017
70%XF-11
25%XF-60
5%XF-10
71015 *017 MRP-061 AK11822
RC275 / RC940
233
bomber camouflage until august 1944
RLM 72 Grün       71263 *311 MRP-062 AK11823
RC276
 
post november 1941 splinter scheme for naval aircraft (reconnaissance, torpedo bombers, float planes)
RLM 73 Grün       71256 *312 MRP-063 AK11824
RC277
 
post november 1941 splinter scheme for naval aircraft (reconnaissance, torpedo bombers, float planes)
RLM 74 Graugrün   H-068
C-036
N-068
  71258 *313 MRP-064 AK11825
RC278 / RC941
253
Top camouflage on fighter airfcraft from nov 1941 to august 1944
RLM 75 Mittelgrau   H-069
C-037
70%XF-2
25%XF-24
5%XF-27
71259 *007 MRP-065 AK11826
RC279 / RC942
254
Top camouflage on fighter airfcraft from nov 1941
RLM 76
(version 1)
Lichtblau           MRP-181 AK11827
RC320 / RC943
 
Bottom side on fighter aircraft from nov 1941
night fighter topside
overall colour of some high altitude fighters
Due to shortages towards the end of the war, wide variations in this colour started to appear towards the end of the war
RLM 76
(version 2)
Blaugrün       71257 *038 MRP-066 AK11828
RC321 / RC944
 
 
RLM 76
(late)
Grünblau       71103   MRP-182 AK11829
RC322 / RC945
256
No official recipe has been found, but this shade of RLM 76 is encountered on a number of surviving airframes.
Sometimes faultily designated RLM 84.
RLM 77 Hellgrau         *264      
Identification markings (Balkenkreuz, ID codes) on dark backgrounds such as RLM 22 on night bombers
No official swatch or recipe has been found as of yet, colour derived from field samples
RLM 78
(1941)
Himmelblau         *029   AK11830
RC280
 
Underside of the tropical scheme (1941)
RLM 78
(1942)
Himmelblau   H418
C118
XF-23 71101 *314 MRP-067 AK11832
RC281 /  RC946
247
Underside of the tropical scheme (1942-1944)
RLM 79
(1941)
Sandgelb         *014   AK11832
RC282
 
basis upper surface colour in the Mediterranean scheme (1941-1942)
RLM 79
(1942)
Sandgelb   H066, N066,
C119
  71278 *172 MRP-068 AK11833
RC283 / RC947
222
basis upper surface colour in the Mediterranean scheme (1942-1944)

RLM 80-100, unnamed block

This block doesn’t have an official name and was likely meant as an overflow block. As in practice, this was used as such after the camouflage colour block was filled. The other blocks didn’t have enough colours assigned to completely fill them.

Some secondary sources extend this list with RLM 84 and beyond, but no official documentation of these paints existing have been found.

RLM number Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK Ammo MIG
RLM 80 Olivgrün   H420
C120
XF-26 71265 *053 MRP-069 AK11834
RC284 / RC948
284
optional upper surface details (lines, blotches) of the Mediterranean scheme (1941-1944)
RLM 81
Ausf. 1
Braunviolett     XF-51 71264 *008 MRP-070 AK11835
RC323
 
Officially known as 7121.81
RLM 81
Ausf. 2
Braunviolett   H421
C121
XF-74 71011 *022   AK11836
RC324 / RC949
 
Officially known as 7121.81 A 2
RLM 81
Ausf. 3
Braunviolett             AK11837
RC325 / RC950
255
Officially known as 7121.A.3.81
RLM 82 Hellgrün   H422
C122
  71022 *020 MRP-071 AK11838
RC326 / RC951
230
Simular to RLM 81, multiple recipes exists for RLM 82. These however have no visual differences.
RLM 83 dunkelblau   H328   71266 HTK-*274   AK11839
RC327
 
Experimental colour for usage in the Mediterranean theatre. It was to be used with RLM 72 for seaplanes and RLM 70 for land based aircraft. Widespread usage is debated, but there are accounts of Junkers Ju 88 bombers being painted in a dark blue camouflage.
The colour first appears in a monthly rapport, E-stelle Travermünde, in November 1943. It’s official recipe, Flieglack 7121.83, also gives a dark blue colour when recreated. It was experimented with, but no information about widespread usage exist and documentation regarding official implementation is still missing, however eye witnesses indicate that blue painted aircraft did fly around at from 1943 onward.
For more information, see The Curious Case of RML 83

RLM 99, or Flw. xxxx.-

In official documentation the colour 99 sometimes appears. Being out of sequence, this colour was used to designate that the precise shade is unimportant. In practice, this often meant that no colouring pigments were added to the base lacquer, or a small amount of to aid with applying an even coat. Initially a dash was used (eg. 7101.-). This dash however wasn’t compatible with tabulating machines, early computers used for summarizing information on punch cards. Therefore it was replaced with RLM 99 (e.g. 7101.99). When a small amount of pigments were added, this could be noted after the Flw. number, eg 7140.99 gelb lasierend (transparent yellow).

pre 1936 Early Monotone camouflages

Initially German aircraft wore overall silver and grey finishes. These were standardized in 1936 with the L.Dv. 521. RLM 02 and RLM 63 differed visually little from each other. Trainers also used the silver livery as the colour provided better visibility in the air.

Designation Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK MIG
DKH L40/52
hellgrau
hellgrau             RC285  
DKH L40/52 was a line of paints developed for Lufthansa, sometimes the light grey shade was used on early military aircraft.
RLM 01 Silber RAL-9000   X-35 71.058        
Overall colour of early aircraft
Overall colour of trainer aircraft up to early 1940’s, after which it was phased out for a grey overall camouflage
RLM 02
(1938)
RLM-Grau RAL-7003
FS-34159
H070
C060
  71.044 *023      
Overall colour of early aircraft
RLM 63 Hellgrau RAL 7004     71.260 *167      
Overall colour of early aircraft

1936-1938 Early three colour splinter scheme

The introduction of standardized colours in 1936 also saw the introduction of the first camouflage pattern, intended for land based bombers. It was comprised of RLM 61,62 and 63 in a three tone splinter scheme over a RLM 65 underside. The scheme was first used on the new Junkers Ju 86 bombers, and the Dornier Do 17 bombers soon afterwards. The scheme was used officially until mid 1936 for dive bombers, and September 1938 for other aircraft, although application on reconnaissance aircraft remain unclear. The camouflage is most famously used on Dornier Do 17 and Henschel Hs 123 aircraft during the Spanish civil war, but was used well into the Polish and French campaigns.

RLM Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK Ammo MIG
RLM 61 dunkelbraun RAL-8019   X-9 70822 HTK-*168 MRP-055 AK11814
RC268
 
top side splinter scheme
RLM 62 grün RAL-6002   XF-65 71114 HTK-*169 MRP-056 AK11815
RC269
 
top side splinter scheme
RLM 63 hellgrau RAL-7004   XF-25 71260 HTK-*167 MRP-057 AK11816
RC270
266
top side splinter scheme, faded to a more grey colour
RLM 65
(1938)
hellblau   H067, C115,
N067, S115
XF-23 71255 HTK-*029 MRP-058 AK11817
RC271
 
underside

1937-1944 Early two tone green splinter scheme

In February 1937 a new camouflage was introduced with the introduction of the Messerschmitt Bf 109B. It consisted of two green tints in a splinter pattern with a blue underside, the same as the earlier style. While the border may appear as a hard edge, they blended into each other with a 5 cm overlay.

The pattern became standard on all new fighters, heavy fighters, bombers, low to medium altitude reconnaissance and ground attack aircraft.

RLM Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK Ammo MIG
RLM 70 Schwarzgrün             AK11821
RC274
 
top side splinter scheme
RLM 71 dunkelgrün             AK11822
RC275
 
top side splinter scheme
RLM 65
(1938)
hellblau             AK11817
RC271
 
underside

1938-1944 Maritime scheme

In november 1938 a new scheme was introduced for naval aircraft, with the issuing of the L. Dv. 521/1. It was very simular to the RLM 70/71 pattern, with the underside also RLM 65 for day operations and RLM 22 black for night fighters.

This scheme was found on naval reconnaissance aircraft such as the Do 24, Fw 200, Ju 290 and Bv 138, seaplanes such as the Ar 196 and He 115 and torpedo bombers such as some variants of the He 111 and Ju 88.

RLM Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK Ammo MIG
RLM 22 Schwarz             AK11817
RC271
 
underside for night
RLM 72 Schwarzgrün             AK11821
RC274
 
top side splinter scheme
RLM 73 dunkelgrün             AK11822
RC275
 
top side splinter scheme
RLM 65
(1938)
hellblau             AK11817
RC271
 
underside

1940-1945 Night camouflage

Fighters

In the beginnin, night fighters would use regular camouflage schemes, as this would allow them to be used as day fighters if neccessary. When the dangers of the RAF bombing raids became apparent in June 1940, a dedicated night fighter scheme was adopted. This scheme was overall RLM 22 black and was in use untill 1942, when it was replaced with RLM 74/75/76, with RLM 76 occasionally being replaced by RLM 02.

In early 1944 the night fighter scheme was simplified to RLM 75 over 76, with mottles or streaks of 76 on the upper surface. The lower starboard wing was to be painted in RLM 22, this however wasn’t always followed with a number of He 219’s being painted fully black on the bottom and on the sides.

Bombers

Bombers used in night operation were in July 1940 ordered to apply a black camouflage on their lower surfaces.

RLM Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK Ammo MIG
RLM 22 Schwarz             AK11817
RC271
 
underside for night
RLM 74 Graugrün   H-068
C-036
N-068
  71258 *313 MRP-064 AK11825
RC278
253
Top camouflage on fighter airfcraft from nov 1941
RLM 75 Mittelgrau   H-069
C-037
70%XF-2
25%XF-24
5%XF-27
71259 *007 MRP-065 AK11826
RC279
254
Top camouflage on fighter airfcraft from nov 1941
RLM 76
(version 2)
Blaugrün       71257 *038 MRP-066 AK11828
RC321
 
 

1944-1945 Late war splinter Scheme

In August of 1943, a notice was sent out announcing the future introduction of RLM 81 and 82, which were to replace RLM 70 and 71. This was made official by a Sammelmitteling in July 1944, around the time losses on the ground started to exeed losses in the air. Existing stock of RLM 70 and 71 were to be used up and replaced by RLM 81 and 82. If necessary, RLM 70 was to be mixed with 82, and RLM 71 with 81 (further increasing the amount of late war green shades). A month later, RLM 65 was to be replaced by RLM 76.
A likely reason for this change was that RLM 70 and 71 contained chromium and RLM 65 contained Cobalt, bot necessary for the production of high-grade metals.

RLM 81 / RLM 82 over RLM 76

RLM Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK Ammo MIG
RLM 76
(version 1)
Lichtblau           MRP-181 AK11827
RC320
 
 
RLM 76
(version 2)
Blaugrün   H417   71257 HTK-*038 MRP-066 AK11828
RC321
 
 
RLM 76
(late)
Grünblau   H074   71103 HTK-*239 MRP-182 AK11829
RC322
 
No official recipe has been found, but this shade of RLM 76 is encountered on a number of surviving airframes.
This shade has sometimes errorously been designated as RLM 84
RLM 81
variant 1
Braunviolett
Olivbraun
  H421
C121
XF-51 71264 HTK-*008 MRP-070 AK11835
RC323
 
 
RLM 81
variant 2
Braunviolett
Olivbraun
    XF-74 71011 HTK-*022   AK11836
RC324
 
 
RLM 81
variant 3
Braunviolett
Olivbraun
  H423   71287     AK11837
RC325
255
 
RLM 82 Hellgrün   H422
C122
  71022 HTK-*020 MRP-071 AK11838
RC326
230
 

1941-1944 Tropical Camouflage

Luftwaffe units started to be deployed in North Africa somewhere between late January and March 1941. At the time, no suitable camouflage colours for the sandy, Saharan desert were available. The first mention of the tropical scheme comes from an inspection document to a depot in Erling, Germany, which describes the three lacquers.
Curiously, only colour chips for RLM 78 and 79 were added to the L.DV. 521/1 of 1941. Somewhere after November 1941, RLM 78 was changed to a slightly lighter shade, while RLM 79 was changed to a darker, browner shade.

RLM 80 wasn’t always used, especially on later fighters such as Bf 109’s and Fw 190’s

Ever after the retreat from Africa, the colour scheme was still used to some extend in Italy until 1944 and the eastern front after units were send there.

RLM Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK MIG
RLM 78
(1941)
Himmelblau         *029   AK11830
RC280
 
Underside of the tropical scheme (1941)
RLM 78
(1942)
Himmelblau   H418
C118
XF-23 71.101 *314 MRP-067 AK11832
RC281
247
Underside of the tropical scheme (1942-1944)
RLM 79
(1941)
Sandgelb         *014   AK11832
RC282
 
basis upper surface colour in the Mediterranean scheme (1941-1942)
RLM 79
(1942)
Sandgelb   H066, N066,
C119
  71.278 *172 MRP-068 AK11833
RC283
222
basis upper surface colour in the Mediterranean scheme (1942-1944)
RLM 80 Olivgrün   H420
C120
XF-26 71.265 *053 MRP-069 AK11834
RC284
284
optional upper surface details (lines, blotches) of the Mediterranean scheme (1941-1944)

1935-1945 RLM 05 Elfenbein

RLM 05 was one of the earliest colours specified by the RLM, but was also scrapped before 1936 for military use. As such, it doesn’t appear on any contemporary colour charts. Even the L.Dv. 521/2, which specifies glider paints, doesn’t contain this colour, as the specification only handles markings and registration codes. The colour however remained in use until the end of the war on some experimental and research aircraft, and on gliders of the NSKF (Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps, a German paramilitary organisation).

RLM 02 was used for cockpits. The switch to RLM 66 wasn’t made as the contrast when vieuwed from above was deemed to much.

RLM number Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK Ammo MIG
RLM 05 Elfenbein
Gelb Lasur
FS-13618
RAL 1001
    71106     RC046  

Unsure and wrong colours

These designations I’m not sure about, if they even exist. Especially the colours 64 and 67 are suspiously missing from the range, implying that they might exist, or at least have been considered to the point of getting an RLM number reserved. However as of yet no official documents about their existence have surfaced.

RLM number Colour equivalents Gunze Tamiya Vallejo Hataka MRP AK Ammo MIG
9 Gelbgrün                
 
RLM 64                  
sometimes depicted as a light blue colour, sometimes as an olive green, supposedly it was on colour charts before the 1936 revision of the L.Dv. 521, however no original evidence of it’s existence or usage has surfaced as of yet.
export colour ?
RLM 67 Weiß                
 
RLM 84                  
RLM designation is erroneous and this colour was most likely the late variant of RLM 76.
91                  
 

Sources

This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. Mark athon

    I have one of the 512/1 1941 books with color charts. How best to sell it?

    1. Emma Hoekstra

      I guess Ebay? I personally don’t have the money to buy it, however if you could make a scan I would greatly appreciate it!

  2. Tim Hull

    Hi Mark, do you still have the book? I would be interested in buying it.

  3. Axel Thomas

    Nice info, really helpful. I noticed a small typo: in the “RLM 60-79, Tarnanstrichfarben” section RLM 70 should be ‘Schwarzgrün’.
    Kind regards,
    Axel

  4. Tony

    Great reference, thank you!

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