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.
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 from 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, split into multiple standards
RAL 840 B
On the 1st of November 1927 this was extended with a new range of 40 colours for vehicle usage, the RAL 840 B:
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 (=revisited). Under this system every colour was given a four number code and a name. The first digit indicated the main group or shade. This chart remained in use to today as RAL 840 HR and also forms the basis of the RLM system.
RAL 1xxx | Yellow | RAL 6xxx | Green |
RAL 2xxx | Orange | RAL 7xxx | Grey |
RAL 3xxx | Red | RAL 8xxx | Brown |
RAL 4xxx | Violet | RAL 9xxx | White and Black |
RAL 5xxx | Blue |
RLM and the L.Dv. 521
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 starting early 1936 the RLM took over the standardization of aircraft paints and camouflage patterns. During the war these regulation changed a lot, mostly due to material shortages. Due to this the same RLM colour may have changed over the course of time.
Luftwaffen Dienstvorschriften L.Dv. 521
The RLM regulations for colour shade, production and application were proclaimed by Luftwaffen Dienstvorschriften L.Dv. 521 (=airforce 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
- L.Dv. 521/
1- L.Dv. 521/
3
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.)
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 by loose paint chips stuck to a blank page in the manual.
Full Colour Table
RLM number | Colour | equivalents | Gunze | Tamiya | Vallejo | Hataka | MRP | AK | Ammo MIG |
0 | Wasserhell | RAL-9000 | X-35 | 71.058 | |||||
Clear gloss protection coating Primer |
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1 | Silver | RAL-9006 FS-17178 |
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Undercarriage The first aircraft of the luftwaffer were in this color |
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2 | RLM-Grau | RAL-7003 FS-34159 |
H070 C060 |
33%XF-2 33%XF-49 33%XF-22 |
71044 | HTK-*023 | MRP-050 | AK11811 AK11812 RC265 RC266 |
217 |
Extensively used as cockpit colour before 1943. Interior colour; wheel wells, engine compartment, ect. Overall colour of prototype, trainer and liason aircraft Early camouflage upper side Sometimes used as a replacement for RLM 76 in the late war night fighter camouflage scheme |
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3 | Silbergrau | ||||||||
mostly used before the war | |||||||||
4 | Gelb | RAL-1004 FS-37200 |
H413 C113 |
XF-03 | 71078 | HTK-*066 | MRP-051 | AK11813 RC267 |
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ID markings, bands, underside of the wingtips and cowlings underside of captured aircraft |
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5 | Elfenbein Gelb Lasur |
FS-13618 RAL 1001 |
71106 | RC046 | |||||
early gliders | |||||||||
21 | Weiß | RAL-9001 | MRP-004 | ||||||
markings, fusulage bands, numbers. winter camo, by applying the paint dissolved in patrol on the plane, easily worn |
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22 | Schwarz | RAL-9004 | MRP-005 | ||||||
markings and fuselage codes Overall night camouflage untill 1942 |
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23 | Rot | RAL-3001 | H414 C114 |
XF-07 | 71102 | HTK-103 | MRP-052 | ||
Identification markings | |||||||||
24 | Dunkelblau | RAL-5000 | H015 | 71266 | HTK-*102 | MRP-053 | RC010 | ||
Identification markings Oxygen systems |
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25 | Hellgrün | RAL-6000 | H094 | 71267 | HTK-*270 | MRP-054 | |||
Identification markings | |||||||||
26 | Braun | RAL-8004 | 71105 | ||||||
electric systems General usage |
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27 | Gelb | RAL-1003 | |||||||
Usage is same as RLM 04, but a different recipe and used less. Slightly different colour, but often not differentiated. | |||||||||
28 | Weinrot | RAL-3008 | |||||||
stepping zone area’s on the wings Identification markings |
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61 | Dunkelbraun | RAL-8019 | *168 | MRP-055 | AK11814 RC268 |
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Pre war camouflage scheme, spanish civil war with RLM 62 and RLM 63 | |||||||||
62 | Grün | RAL-6002 | 71.114 | *169 | MRP-056 | AK11815 RC269 |
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Pre war camouflage scheme, spanish civil war with RLM 61 and RLM 63 | |||||||||
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 | |||||||||
65 | Hellblau | H-067 C-115 N-067 S-115 |
XF-23 | 71.255 | *029 | MRP-058 | AK11817 AK11818 RC271 RC272 |
231 | |
general undersurface for all aircraft, after 1941 no longer for fighters | |||||||||
66 | Schwarzgrau | RAL 7019 | H-416 C-116 |
71.055 | *040 | MRP-059 | AK11819 AK11820 RC273 RC339 |
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. |
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68 | Schwarzgrün | ||||||||
69 | Dunkelgrün | ||||||||
70 | Schartzgrün | H-065 C-018 |
90%XF-11 10%XF-1 |
*015 | MPR-060 | AK11821 RC274 |
232 | ||
bomber camouflage, early fighters propeller blades |
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71 | Dunkelgrün | H-064 C-017 |
70%XF-11 25%XF-60 5%XF-10 |
71015 | *017 | MRP-061 | AK11822 RC275 |
233 | |
bomber camouflage | |||||||||
72 | Grün | 71263 | *311 | MRP-062 | AK11823 RC276 |
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post november 1941 splinter scheme for naval aircraft (reconnaissance, torpedo bombers, float planes) | |||||||||
73 | Grün | 71256 | *312 | MRP-063 | AK11824 RC277 |
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post november 1941 splinter scheme for naval aircraft (reconnaissance, torpedo bombers, float planes) | |||||||||
74 | Graugrün | H-068 C-036 N-068 |
71258 | *313 | MRP-064 | AK11825 RC278 |
253 | ||
Top camouflage on fighter airfcraft from nov 1941 | |||||||||
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 | |||||||||
76 (version 1) |
Lichtblau | MRP-181 | AK11827 RC320 |
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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 |
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76 (version 2) |
Blaugrün | 71257 | *038 | MRP-066 | AK11828 RC321 |
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76 (late) |
Grünblau | 71103 | MRP-182 | AK11829 RC322 |
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. |
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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 |
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78 (1941) |
Himmelblau | *029 | AK11830 RC280 |
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Underside of the tropical scheme (1941) | |||||||||
78 (1942) |
Himmelblau | H418 C118 |
XF-23 | 71101 | *314 | MRP-067 | AK11832 RC281 |
247 | |
Underside of the tropical scheme (1942-1944) | |||||||||
79 (1941) |
Sandgelb | *014 | AK11832 RC282 |
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basis upper surface colour in the Mediterranean scheme (1941-1942) | |||||||||
79 (1942) |
Sandgelb | H066, N066, C119 |
71278 | *172 | MRP-068 | AK11833 RC283 |
222 | ||
basis upper surface colour in the Mediterranean scheme (1942-1944) | |||||||||
80 | Olivgrün | H420 C120 |
XF-26 | 71265 | *053 | MRP-069 | AK11834 RC284 |
284 | |
optional upper surface details (lines, blotches) of the Mediterranean scheme (1941-1944) | |||||||||
81 variant 1 |
Braunviolett | XF-51 | 71264 | *008 | MRP-070 | AK11835 RC323 |
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81 variant 2 |
Braunviolett | H421 C121 |
XF-74 | 71011 | *022 | AK11836 RC324 |
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81 variant 3 |
Braunviolett | AK11837 RC325 |
255 | ||||||
82 | Hellgrün | H422 C122 |
71022 | *020 | MRP-071 | AK11838 RC326 |
230 | ||
83 | dunkelblau | H328 | 71266 | HTK-*274 | AK11839 RC327 |
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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. RLM 83 is often depicted as a dark green colour which was widely used later in the war. However no official documentation exists referring RLM 83 as being a green shade. These colours where however likely misidentified shades of RLM 81, but possibly also RLM 70, 71 and 82. This mistake likely comes from the knowledge of an RLM 83 existing, combined with unknown shades of green found on surviving samples. This then leading to the incorrect conclusion that RLM 83 must be that green colour. Later research has however shown these samples to be RLM 81 variants.
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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 |
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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 Junkers Ju 88 bombers. 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 |
61 | dunkelbraun | RAL-8019 | X-9 | 70822 | HTK-*168 | MRP-055 | AK11814 RC268 |
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top side splinter scheme | |||||||||
62 | grün | RAL-6002 | XF-65 | 71114 | HTK-*169 | MRP-056 | AK11815 RC269 |
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top side splinter scheme | |||||||||
63 | hellgrau | RAL-7004 | XF-25 | 71260 | HTK-*167 | MRP-057 | AK11816 RC270 |
266 | |
top side splinter scheme, faded to a more grey colour | |||||||||
65 (1938) |
hellblau | H067, C115, N067, S115 |
XF-23 | 71255 | HTK-*029 | MRP-058 | AK11817 RC271 |
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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 |
70 | Schwarzgrün | AK11821 RC274 |
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top side splinter scheme | |||||||||
71 | dunkelgrün | AK11822 RC275 |
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top side splinter scheme | |||||||||
65 (1938) |
hellblau | AK11817 RC271 |
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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 |
22 | Schwarz | AK11817 RC271 |
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underside for night | |||||||||
72 | Schwarzgrün | AK11821 RC274 |
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top side splinter scheme | |||||||||
73 | dunkelgrün | AK11822 RC275 |
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top side splinter scheme | |||||||||
65 (1938) |
hellblau | AK11817 RC271 |
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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 |
22 | Schwarz | AK11817 RC271 |
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underside for night | |||||||||
74 | Graugrün | H-068 C-036 N-068 |
71258 | *313 | MRP-064 | AK11825 RC278 |
253 | ||
Top camouflage on fighter airfcraft from nov 1941 | |||||||||
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 | |||||||||
76 (version 2) |
Blaugrün | 71257 | *038 | MRP-066 | AK11828 RC321 |
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1944-1945 Late war splinter Scheme
RLM 81 / RLM 82 over RLM 76
RLM | Colour | equivalents | Gunze | Tamiya | Vallejo | Hataka | MRP | AK | Ammo MIG |
76 (version 1) |
Lichtblau | MRP-181 | AK11827 RC320 |
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76 (version 2) |
Blaugrün | H417 | 71257 | HTK-*038 | MRP-066 | AK11828 RC321 |
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76 (late) |
Grünblau | H074 | 71103 | HTK-*239 | MRP-182 | AK11829 RC322 |
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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 |
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81 variant 1 |
Braunviolett | H421 C121 |
XF-51 | 71264 | HTK-*008 | MRP-070 | AK11835 RC323 |
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81 variant 2 |
Braunviolett | XF-74 | 71011 | HTK-*022 | AK11836 RC324 |
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81 variant 3 |
Braunviolett | H423 | 71287 | AK11837 RC325 |
255 | ||||
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 |
78 (1941) |
Himmelblau | *029 | AK11830 RC280 |
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Underside of the tropical scheme (1941) | |||||||||
78 (1942) |
Himmelblau | H418 C118 |
XF-23 | 71.101 | *314 | MRP-067 | AK11832 RC281 |
247 | |
Underside of the tropical scheme (1942-1944) | |||||||||
79 (1941) |
Sandgelb | *014 | AK11832 RC282 |
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basis upper surface colour in the Mediterranean scheme (1941-1942) | |||||||||
79 (1942) |
Sandgelb | H066, N066, C119 |
71.278 | *172 | MRP-068 | AK11833 RC283 |
222 | ||
basis upper surface colour in the Mediterranean scheme (1942-1944) | |||||||||
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) |
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 | ||||||||
11 | Edelbein | RAL 7039 ? | |||||||
41 | Grau | RAL 7011 ? | |||||||
Interior of some early planes, seldom used (?) | |||||||||
42 | Grau | RAL 7012 ? | 71123 | ||||||
Vallejo has a color in their range labeled as RLM 42, however no further official information can be found | |||||||||
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 ? |
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67 | Weiß | ||||||||
84 | |||||||||
RLM designation is erroneous and this colour was most likely the late variant of RLM 76. | |||||||||
91 | |||||||||
Described by Ullmann as used by Lufthansa | |||||||||
99 | |||||||||
Sometimes appears in some literature, however there doesn’t seem to be a consensus of what this colour is. 1. Clear protective interior varnish, used where the manufacturer stamp on the duraluminmust be visible. 2. Placeholder paint where the actual shade isn’t relevant. (Luftwaffen-Verordnungsblatt, 1943) |
Sources
- RAL History, https://www.ral.de/en/about-us/ral-history/
- https://www.cybermodeler.com/color/ral840r_table.shtml
- Goralczyk, H. W. M. T. (2019). Real Colors of WWII Aircraft. AK Interactive.
- M. Ullmann, Hornets’ Nest RLM 83 Dark BLue. http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/rlm83darkbluemu_1.htm
I have one of the 512/1 1941 books with color charts. How best to sell it?
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!