Luftwaffe Colours (Germany)

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 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.

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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.

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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 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

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RLM colours

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 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. This new system spanned the entire military procurement of materials and ranged from 0000 to 9999. These were sometimes subdivided with a single decimal suffix to denote the material grade or treatment. The first documentation of these Flugzeug Werkstoffen (Aircraft materials) 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).

Range	subdivision
0000-3999	.0-.9, material treatment	metals: steel, gun metal, brass, bronze, aluminium magnesium alloy, etc.
5000-6000		Various rubbers, leather, textiles, paper, etc.
7100-7199	none initially, later .- or .00-.99	Aircraft lacquer bases. At the end of the war only ~50 codes had been utilized.
7200-7299	N.A	Paint thinners
7300-7499		Colours of corrosion proofing of materials
7500-9999		Lime, asbestos, ceramic materials and glass.

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 laquer, wich 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 laquer the .- suffix was used. Later this was replaced with .99 as early computers (Hollerith machines, or Tabulating machines) couldnt 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.

RLM coulour code range
00-19	Grundraben (Innen-Aussen-anstricht	Base colour (Internal-external base finish)
20-39	Kennzeichnungsfarben	Marking colours
40-59	Sonderfarben	Special colours
60-79	Tarnanstrichfarben	Camouflage colours
80-100	–	This 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 appearance of the new RLM system is in a company letter from the paint manufacturer Warnecke un Böhm. 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.

1936: Richtlinien für die Entwicklungen geeigneter Flugzeuglacke

In 1936 a document adressed to the German paint manufacturing industry was published, likely by the RLM 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. 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, manufactureres 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

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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 00-19, Grundfarben

The purpose 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, but their exact purpose remains unknown. 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 RC266	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
	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

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

RLM number	Colour	equivalents	Gunze	Tamiya	Vallejo	Hataka	MRP	AK	Ammo MIG
RLM 41 Grau	Grey	RAL 7011 ?
	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	RAL 7012 ?			71123
	scrapped before the first publication of L.Dv. 521

RLM 60-79, Tarnanstrichfarben

RLM number	Colour	equivalents	Gunze	Tamiya	Vallejo	Hataka	MRP	AK	Ammo MIG
61	Dunkelbraun	RAL-8019				*168	MRP-055	AK11814 RC268
	Pre war camouflage scheme, spanish civil war with RLM 62 and RLM 63
62	Grün	RAL-6002			71.114	*169	MRP-056	AK11815 RC269
	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. Instrument colour from
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
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
	post november 1941 splinter scheme for naval aircraft (reconnaissance, torpedo bombers, float planes)
73	Grün				71256	*312	MRP-063	AK11824 RC277
	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
	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
76 (version 2)	Blaugrün				71257	*038	MRP-066	AK11828 RC321
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.
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
78 (1941)	Himmelblau					*029		AK11830 RC280
	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
	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)

RLM 80-100, unnamed block

RLM number	Colour	equivalents	Gunze	Tamiya	Vallejo	Hataka	MRP	AK	Ammo MIG
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
81 variant 2	Braunviolett		H421 C121	XF-74	71011	*022		AK11836 RC324
81 variant 3	Braunviolett							AK11837 RC325	255
82	Hellgrün		H422 C122		71022	*020	MRP-071	AK11838 RC326	230
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. 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. Real colors of WWII aircraft, p88-89. M. Ullmann, Hornets’Nest RLM 83 Dark Blue Luftwaffe Camouflage and Markings 1935-1945, Volume One, p89-91

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 laquer, 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 (eg. 7101.99). When a small amount of pigments were added, this could be noted after the Flw. number, eg 7140.99 gelb lasierend (transparant 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

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
76 (version 2)	Blaugrün		H417		71257	HTK-*038	MRP-066	AK11828 RC321
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
81 variant 1	Braunviolett		H421 C121	XF-51	71264	HTK-*008	MRP-070	AK11835 RC323
81 variant 2	Braunviolett			XF-74	71011	HTK-*022		AK11836 RC324
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
	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
	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)

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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
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 ?
67	Weiß
84
	RLM designation is erroneous and this colour was most likely the late variant of RLM 76.
91

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