Aircraft Colors - Master Customer Reference

How to Use This Guide

• Start with the aircraft nationality or period, then use the chapter Quick Reference or scheme table to identify the likely Squadron colors.
• Aircraft-specific evidence wins. Manufacturer, production date, theater, factory, repaint history, and photographs can override a generic scheme recommendation.
• Historical names remain authoritative. Federal Standard, RGB, hexadecimal, and other modern comparisons are cross-references only when the historical color predates those systems.
• This guide focuses on colors normally visible on a finished model: exterior camouflage, markings, cockpits, wheel wells, open bays, and other exposed areas.
• Squadron Colors are generally supplied in a semi-gloss finish to make decal application easier. Use the final clear coat to reproduce the desired service sheen.
• Commercial SKU names are preserved as sold even when a historical designation or spelling differs.

Contents

1. U.S. Aircraft Colors (SCA000-SCA048)
2. Japanese Aircraft Colors (SCA100-SCA104)
3. Great Britain Aircraft Colors (SCA200-SCA211)
4. German Aircraft Colors (SCA300-SCA315)
5. Russian / Soviet Aircraft Colors (SCA400-SCA406 and SCA800-SCA806)
6. Italian Aircraft Colors (SCA500-SCA515)
7. Polish Aircraft Colors (SCA600-SCA605)
8. French Aircraft Colors (SCA700-SCA709)
9. World War I Aircraft Colors (SCA900-SCA946)
10. Bibliography and Sources

1. U.S. Aircraft Colors

SCA000-SCA048

Core U.S. Aircraft Scheme Relationships

Scheme	Principal colors / notes
USAAF Olive Drab / Neutral Gray	Olive Drab 41; Neutral Gray 43
USAAF OD/NG with disruptive green	Olive Drab 41; Neutral Gray 43; Medium Green 42
Early-war USN Blue Gray	Blue Gray; Light Gray
USN 1943 Four-Color / commonly "Tri-Color"	ANA606 Semi-Gloss Sea Blue; ANA607 Non-Specular Sea Blue; ANA608 Intermediate Blue; Insignia White
Late-war USN overall Sea Blue	ANA623 Gloss Sea Blue, with local non-specular Sea Blue anti-glare treatment where applicable
USAF Southeast Asia / SEA	FS34102; FS34079; FS30219; FS36622
F-15 Compass Ghost	FS36320; FS36375
F-15 Mod Eagle	FS36176; FS36251
F-15 Air Superiority Blue	FS35450 family
USN/USMC Gull Gray and White	Light Gull Gray; Insignia White
USN/USMC Tactical Paint Scheme	FS35237; FS36320; FS36375 and related grays depending upon aircraft
AV-8B Land Camouflage	FS34064; FS36099; Light Gull Gray on early version
USMC Desert Storm helicopter schemes	FS33711 with several documented darker companion colors depending upon aircraft/unit
WWII U.S. visible interior greens	Bronze Green No. 9; Dull Dark Green; Interior Green - manufacturer, production period and compartment specific
USAF Air Defense Command overall gray	FS16473 Aircraft Gray / ADC Gray on applicable interceptors and related aircraft

 

U.S. Aircraft Color Records

SCA000 - Insignia Blue FS35044

Historical designation: ANA 605 Insignia Blue / FS35044

Application type: Markings and national insignia

Historical sheen: Flat under FS35044 specification

Squadron bottle sheen: Semi-gloss

Period: WWII through modern use where specified

Description: A very dark blue used principally in U.S. national insignia and standardized aircraft markings. During WWII it formed the blue field of the U.S. star insignia and was also used when blue replaced the short-lived red border around the star-and-bar marking in 1943.

Primary application(s): National insignia, identification markings, lettering and other standardized blue markings where Insignia Blue is specified.

Typical subjects: Applicable across a very broad range of U.S. Army Air Forces, Air Force, Navy and Marine aircraft according to the marking standards of the period.

Companion colors: Insignia White and, where historically appropriate, Insignia Red.

Modeling note: This is primarily a marking color rather than a camouflage color. Final sheen should normally be adjusted with the overall model finish.

SCA001 - USN Sea Blue ANA623

Historical designation: ANA 623 Sea Blue / Gloss Sea Blue

Color family: Sea Blue

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Historical sheen: Gloss

Squadron bottle sheen: Semi-gloss

Period: Late WWII and early postwar U.S. naval aviation

Description: The dark Sea Blue used for the late-war overall U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft finish. ANA 623 belongs to the same basic Sea Blue hue family as ANA 606 Semi-Gloss Sea Blue and ANA 607 Non-Specular Sea Blue, while remaining a separate official designation because of its specified finish.

Primary scheme(s): Overall Gloss Sea Blue. The overall Gloss Sea Blue finish replaced the earlier multi-tone naval camouflage system on many carrier aircraft during the latter part of WWII.

Typical subjects: F6F-5 Hellcat, later F4U Corsair variants, TBM Avenger, SB2C Helldiver, F8F Bearcat and numerous late-war and early-postwar Navy and Marine aircraft.

Companion colors: Insignia White, Insignia Blue and other markings appropriate to the particular aircraft and date.

Modeling note: "Overall Gloss Sea Blue" does not necessarily mean that every exterior surface had an identical sheen. Non-specular Sea Blue could still be used locally on the upper cowling or other forward anti-glare areas.

SCA002 - USN Int. Sea Blue ANA608

Historical designation: ANA 608 Intermediate Blue

Commercial name: USN Int. Sea Blue ANA608

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Primarily 1943-44 U.S. naval aviation

Description: A medium blue used as the intermediate tone of the U.S. Navy's 1943 multi-color camouflage system. It visually bridged the dark Sea Blue upper areas and the white lower surfaces.

Primary scheme(s): USN 1943 Four-Color Scheme, commonly called the Tri-Color Scheme. The scheme employed ANA 606 Semi-Gloss Sea Blue, ANA 607 Non-Specular Sea Blue, ANA 608 Intermediate Blue, and Insignia White. Although technically four official color specifications were involved, ANA 606 and ANA 607 represented the same basic Sea Blue hue in different sheen levels. This is one reason the scheme is commonly understood by modelers as a three-color appearance.

Primary application(s): Fuselage sides, vertical tail surfaces and transitional camouflage areas.

Typical subjects: F4U Corsair, F6F Hellcat, TBF/TBM Avenger and SB2C Helldiver.

Companion colors: ANA 606, ANA 607 and Insignia White.

Modeling note: Surface placement varied with aircraft geometry, with the intention of producing a graduated transition from dark upper surfaces to light undersides.

SCA003 - USN Dk. Gull Gray ANA 621

Historical designation: ANA 621 Dark Gull Gray

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: WWII Atlantic anti-submarine operations

Description: A dark neutral gray used in U.S. Navy Atlantic anti-submarine camouflage. Its wartime exterior role should be kept distinct from the much later widespread use of Dark Gull Gray as an aircraft cockpit and interior color.

Primary scheme(s): Atlantic ASW Scheme I: Dark Gull Gray upper surfaces, Light Gull Gray sides and white lower surfaces. Atlantic ASW Scheme II: Dark Gull Gray upper surfaces with white side and lower surfaces.

Typical subjects: Atlantic Fleet anti-submarine and patrol aircraft, including Wildcats, Dauntlesses, Catalinas, PB4Y patrol aircraft and other types where the appropriate Atlantic scheme was specified.

Companion colors: SCA004 Light Gull Gray in Scheme I and Insignia White in Schemes I and II.

Modeling note: Aircraft, unit, theater and date should determine whether Scheme I or Scheme II is appropriate.

SCA004 - USN Light Gull Gray ANA620

Historical designation: ANA 620 Light Gull Gray

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: WWII Atlantic anti-submarine operations

Description: A light gray used principally as the side color of the U.S. Navy's WWII Atlantic ASW Scheme I. It is historically related to the later Light Gull Gray family used extensively by postwar naval aviation, but those later Federal Standard finishes should be treated separately.

Primary scheme(s): Atlantic ASW Scheme I. Applied to side surfaces between ANA 621 Dark Gull Gray above and white beneath.

Typical subjects: U.S. Navy patrol and anti-submarine aircraft operating under Atlantic camouflage requirements.

Companion colors: SCA003 Dark Gull Gray and Insignia White.

Modeling note: For the classic postwar Gull Gray and White naval aircraft scheme, SCA034 FS26440 is the more appropriate Squadron product.

SCA005 - USN Blue-Gray 1942

Historical identity: Revised 1942 U.S. Navy Non-Specular Blue Gray

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Historical sheen: Non-specular

Squadron bottle sheen: Semi-gloss

Period: Primarily 1942 into early 1943

Description: The upper-surface blue-gray used on U.S. Navy and Marine aircraft during the early Pacific War. SCA005 specifically represents the revised 1942 version of Blue Gray rather than the earlier 1941 formulation, which proved lighter and particularly susceptible to fading.

Primary scheme(s): USN Blue Gray over Light Gray. Blue Gray was applied to the upper surfaces and fuselage sides, with Light Gray beneath.

Typical subjects: F4F Wildcat, SBD Dauntless, TBD Devastator, early TBF Avenger, PBY Catalina and numerous other Navy and Marine aircraft of the early-war period.

Companion colors: USN Light Gray and the appropriate period national-insignia colors.

Modeling note: Blue Gray weathered noticeably in service. Considerable variation can therefore appear in period photographs without necessarily indicating a different specified color.

SCA006 - USAAF Olive Drab '43 ANA613

Historical designation: ANA 613 Olive Drab

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Later WWII ANA-standard period

Description: The standardized ANA Olive Drab introduced as the joint Army-Navy color system replaced earlier service-specific standards. ANA 613 succeeded Dark Olive Drab No. 41 administratively, but the transition was not immediate or uniform. Existing stocks of OD 41 remained in use, some manufacturers continued earlier formulations, and the USAAF was simultaneously eliminating factory camouflage from many combat aircraft. ANA 613 should therefore be treated as an overlapping successor to OD 41 rather than as the result of a single universal changeover date.

Primary application(s): Upper-surface camouflage on U.S. aircraft produced or refinished under later ANA-era camouflage requirements.

Typical subjects: Later camouflaged USAAF aircraft, transports and other U.S.-built aircraft where ANA-standard materials are appropriate. Exact applicability should be determined by aircraft type, manufacturer and production period.

Companion colors: ANA 603 Sea Gray as the nominal ANA lower-surface gray.

Modeling note: Do not automatically replace OD 41 with ANA 613 simply because an aircraft was built after the introduction of the ANA system.

 

SCA007 - USAAF Neutral Gray ANA603

Formal historical designation: ANA 603 Sea Gray

Commercial product name: USAAF Neutral Gray ANA603

Application type: Exterior camouflage / lower surfaces

Period: Later WWII ANA-standard period

Description: ANA 603 Sea Gray was adopted within the joint ANA system as the standardized gray that succeeded the earlier USAAF Neutral Gray No. 43 requirement. The commercial Squadron product name is retained exactly as released. For historical database purposes, however, ANA 603 Sea Gray and Neutral Gray No. 43 should remain distinct designations rather than being treated as a simple renumbering of the same paint.

Primary application(s): Lower surfaces of later camouflaged USAAF aircraft where ANA 603 was specified or documented.

Typical subjects: Aircraft continuing to receive camouflage during the ANA transition period, with applicability dependent upon manufacturer, production date and finish specification.

Companion colors: SCA006 ANA 613 Olive Drab, or earlier Olive Drab formulations where production practice overlapped.

Modeling note: The transition from Neutral Gray 43 to ANA 603 was gradual rather than instantaneous.

SCA008 - US Interior Green

Historical designation: ANA 611 Interior Green

Application type: Cockpit and visible interior finish

Period: Primarily mid-to-late WWII and later applications where specified

Description: A standardized green interior finish developed from tinted zinc-chromate primer practice. Interior Green became one of the most recognizable cockpit and crew-area colors on U.S. WWII aircraft. It was not universal. Bronze Green, Dull Dark Green, earlier Yellow Green finishes and manufacturer-specific practices remained applicable to particular aircraft and production periods.

Primary application(s): Cockpits, crew stations and other normally visible finished interior areas.

Typical subjects: A wide range of later-WWII U.S. aircraft where Interior Green is appropriate to the particular manufacturer and production period.

Companion colors: Zinc Chromate primers, SCA046 Dull Dark Green, SCA048 Bronze Green No. 9 and other aircraft-specific interior finishes.

Modeling note: For the purposes of this reference, Interior Green should be recommended where it is visible on a conventional model. Deep structural primer variations need not be included unless the builder opens those areas.

SCA009 - US Zinc Chromate Yellow

Historical identity: Untinted yellow zinc-chromate primer

Application type: Primer / internal structural finish

Period: Broad prewar, WWII and postwar aircraft use

Description: A corrosion-resistant primer widely used on aluminum aircraft structure. Zinc Chromate Yellow was applied to internal skins, spars, ribs, structural components and other protected metal surfaces before additional tinted primers or finish coatings were applied where required.

Primary application(s): Internal aircraft structure and exposed primer areas.

Typical subjects: Extremely widespread across U.S. aircraft, but the location and visibility of the yellow primer varied significantly by manufacturer, aircraft and production period.

Companion colors: Interior Green and other tinted zinc-chromate finishes.

Modeling note: This is generally a secondary/detail color, not a primary requirement for an ordinary closed-up model. For example, on a typical P-51 build, Chromate Green or the appropriate finished interior color is more relevant to visible areas; Zinc Chromate Yellow becomes important mainly when deeper structural spaces are exposed.

 

SCA010 - USAAF Olive Drab 41

Historical designation: Dark Olive Drab No. 41

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Primarily 1941-43, with continued use beyond formal replacement

Description: Dark Olive Drab No. 41 was the principal upper-surface camouflage color of the USAAF during the early years of WWII. It was normally paired with Neutral Gray No. 43 beneath the aircraft. Weathering, exposure, production variation and field conditions could produce considerable visible variation in Olive Drab aircraft.

Primary scheme(s): USAAF Olive Drab 41 / Neutral Gray 43. Medium Green No. 42 could also be added as disruptive blotching, particularly around the outer edges of wings and tail surfaces.

Typical subjects: P-38 Lightning, P-39 Airacobra, P-40 Warhawk, early P-47 Thunderbolt variants, early P-51 Mustang variants, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell, B-26 Marauder, C-47 Skytrain and many other USAAF aircraft. Aircraft variant and production date remain important. A P-47C, for example, belongs naturally within the Olive Drab/Neutral Gray era; a P-47N does not.

Companion colors: Neutral Gray No. 43 and, where appropriate, SCA012 Medium Green 42.

Modeling note: Not every Olive Drab aircraft received Medium Green disruptive areas. Period photographs and subject-specific references should determine whether the additional green is required.

SCA011 - USAAF Sand 49

Historical designation: Sand No. 49

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: WWII, particularly North African and Mediterranean operations

Description: Sand No. 49 was developed for aircraft operating over desert and arid terrain. It was a special-purpose camouflage color rather than a universal replacement for Olive Drab.

Primary scheme(s): USAAF desert camouflage. Sand could replace Olive Drab as the principal upper-surface color where desert conditions warranted it, with lower-surface and secondary colors depending upon the aircraft and particular scheme.

Typical subjects: Most useful for USAAF subjects operating in North Africa and the Mediterranean, including documented examples among P-38s, B-24s, B-25s and other aircraft.

Companion colors: Lower-surface gray and any secondary camouflage colors appropriate to the specific aircraft.

Modeling note: Location alone is not sufficient reason to specify Sand 49. Many aircraft serving in desert theaters retained other factory or field finishes.

SCA012 - USAAF Green 42

Historical designation: Medium Green No. 42

Application type: Disruptive exterior camouflage

Period: WWII

Description: Medium Green No. 42 was commonly used as a disruptive camouflage color over Olive Drab aircraft. Its most recognizable application consists of irregular darker green patches or mottling along wing and tail edges, intended to break up the aircraft's outline when viewed from above.

Primary scheme(s): Olive Drab / Neutral Gray with Medium Green disruptive camouflage.

Typical subjects: Seen on numerous P-40s, B-17s, C-47s and other Olive Drab USAAF aircraft where the specific camouflage pattern called for additional disruptive green.

Companion colors: SCA010 Olive Drab 41 and Neutral Gray No. 43.

Modeling note: Medium Green 42 should be treated as a conditional scheme component. It should not automatically be added to every Olive Drab aircraft.

 

 

SCA013 - USN True Blue

Historical identity: Prewar U.S. Navy identification color; ANA 501 lineage

Application type: Identification and unit markings

Period: Primarily pre-WWII naval aviation

Description: True Blue was one of the distinctive colors used in the U.S. Navy's highly visible prewar aircraft identification system. It was principally a marking color rather than camouflage.

Primary application(s): True Blue identified the third section within the prewar Navy section-color system. Depending upon aircraft position within the section, the color could appear on cowling areas, wing chevrons, fuselage bands and other unit-identification markings.

Typical subjects: Prewar Navy and Marine carrier, scouting, observation, patrol, torpedo and bombing aircraft using the section-color identification system.

Companion colors: Insignia Red, White, Black, Willow Green and Lemon Yellow.

SCA014 - USN Willow Green

Historical identity: Prewar U.S. Navy identification color; ANA 503 lineage

Application type: Identification and unit markings

Period: Primarily pre-WWII naval aviation

Description: Willow Green was one of the standard section colors used in the colorful prewar U.S. Navy aircraft marking system.

Primary application(s): Willow Green identified the fifth section. It could appear on cowlings, fuselage bands, wing chevrons and other section or unit-identification markings according to aircraft position and period.

Typical subjects: Prewar U.S. Navy and Marine aircraft using the section-color system.

Companion colors: True Blue, Insignia Red, White, Black and Lemon Yellow.

SCA015 - USN Insignia Red

Historical identity: U.S. Insignia Red; ANA 509/619 lineage depending upon standard and period

Application type: National insignia and identification markings

Period: Prewar through postwar use where specified

Description: Insignia Red was used extensively in U.S. aircraft markings. It appeared in prewar Navy identification systems, national insignia, and later standardized U.S. military markings. Within the prewar Navy section system, red identified the first section.

Primary application(s): National insignia, section markings, warning and identification markings, and other specified red aircraft markings.

Typical subjects: Broad application across U.S. Navy, Marine, Army Air Forces and later U.S. military aircraft according to the marking standard of the period.

Companion colors: Insignia Blue, Insignia White and other period identification colors.

Modeling note: Because Insignia Red is primarily a marking color, aircraft date and marking style matter more than aircraft type.

 

SCA016 - USN Orange Yellow

Historical identity: Prewar U.S. Navy Orange Yellow; later gloss Orange Yellow standardized as ANA 506

Application type: Identification, visibility and marking color

Period: Prewar through postwar applications

Description: Orange Yellow is most strongly associated with the highly visible upper wing surfaces of prewar U.S. naval aircraft, producing the familiar "Yellow Wings" appearance. It continued to have important visibility and identification applications after the prewar era.

Primary application(s): Prewar upper wings, aircraft identification areas, propeller-tip markings and selected training or high-visibility applications.

Typical subjects: Prewar carrier aircraft such as F2A Buffaloes, F3F fighters, TBD Devastators, SBC Helldivers, SBD predecessors and numerous observation, scouting and patrol types.

Companion colors: Aluminum or gray airframe finishes, prewar section colors and appropriate national markings.

SCA017 - USN Lemon Yellow

Historical identity: ANA 505 Lemon Yellow lineage

Application type: Identification markings

Period: Primarily prewar U.S. Navy aviation

Description: Lemon Yellow was a specific Navy identification yellow and should not be confused with the more orange-toned Orange Yellow used for large visibility areas such as prewar upper wings.

Primary application(s): Lemon Yellow identified the sixth section in the Navy's prewar section-color system.

Typical subjects: Cowling areas, wing chevrons, fuselage bands and other identification markings on prewar U.S. Navy and Marine aircraft.

Companion colors: Insignia Red, White, True Blue, Black and Willow Green.

SCA018 - USAF Medium Green FS34102

Historical designation: FS34102 Medium Green

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Vietnam era through selected later Cold War schemes

Description: Medium Green FS34102 is one of the defining colors of the USAF Southeast Asia camouflage system. It forms the lighter green component of the familiar green-green-tan tactical camouflage used during the Vietnam War.

Primary scheme(s): Southeast Asia / SEA: FS34102 Medium Green, FS34079 Dark Green, FS30219 Dark Tan, FS36622 Camouflage Gray. FS34102 also appeared in selected later tactical camouflage systems.

Typical subjects: F-4 Phantom II, F-100 Super Sabre, F-105 Thunderchief, F-104 Starfighter, A-7D Corsair II, F-5, C-7 Caribou, C-130 Hercules, OV-10 Bronco and many other Vietnam-era USAF aircraft.

Companion colors: SCA019, SCA020 and SCA021.

SCA019 - USAF Dark Green FS34079

Historical designation: FS34079 Dark Green

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Vietnam era through later Cold War applications

Description: FS34079 is the darker green of the classic USAF Southeast Asia camouflage system and became one of the most widely used U.S. tactical camouflage colors of the Cold War.

Primary scheme(s): Southeast Asia / SEA, as the dark green companion to FS34102 and FS30219. FS34079 also appears in other schemes, including strategic-bomber and later tactical camouflage systems.

Typical subjects: F-4, F-100, F-105, F-104, A-7D, F-5, C-7, C-130, B-52 and numerous other U.S. aircraft depending upon scheme and period.

Companion colors: SCA018 Medium Green, SCA020 Dark Tan and SCA021 Camouflage Gray in SEA applications.

 

SCA020 - USAF Dark Tan FS30219

Historical designation: FS30219 Dark Tan / Sierra Tan

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Vietnam era and later specialized applications

Description: FS30219 is the brown-tan component of the classic USAF Southeast Asia camouflage scheme.

Primary scheme(s): Southeast Asia / SEA. Used with FS34079 Dark Green, FS34102 Medium Green and FS36622 Camouflage Gray.

Typical subjects: F-4 Phantom II, F-100 Super Sabre, F-105 Thunderchief, F-104 Starfighter, A-7D Corsair II, F-5, C-7 Caribou, C-130 Hercules, O-2 Skymaster, OV-10 Bronco and many other Vietnam-era aircraft.

Companion colors: SCA018, SCA019 and SCA021.

SCA021 - USAF Camouflage Gray FS36622

Historical designation: FS36622 Camouflage Gray

Application type: Exterior camouflage / lower surfaces

Period: Vietnam era and selected later uses

Description: A very light gray used most famously on the undersides of USAF aircraft wearing Southeast Asia camouflage.

Primary scheme(s): Southeast Asia / SEA. The three upper colors - FS34102, FS34079 and FS30219 - were typically used over FS36622 lower surfaces.

Typical subjects: F-4, F-100, F-105, F-104, F-5, A-7D, C-7, C-130, O-2 and other SEA-camouflaged aircraft.

Companion colors: SCA018, SCA019 and SCA020.

Modeling note: As with all Squadron Colors, the bottle is supplied in a decal-friendly semi-gloss application finish. The correct flat appearance can be restored with the model's final clear coat.

SCA022 - US Radome Tan FS33613

Historical designation: FS33613 Radome Tan

Application type: Radome / dielectric surface

Period: Primarily Cold War and later aircraft

Description: A light tan associated with radar-transparent radomes and other dielectric aircraft components. Radome materials and protective coatings could weather, discolor or change significantly over time, meaning photographs often show considerable tonal variation.

Primary application(s): Nose radomes, antenna covers and other dielectric panels where FS33613 is appropriate to the particular aircraft.

Typical subjects: A variety of Cold War and later U.S. aircraft, with application dependent strongly upon type, block and date.

Modeling note: Radome Tan should never be automatically assigned simply because an aircraft has a radar nose. Black, gray, white and other radome finishes were also common.

SCA023 - USN Medium Gray FS35237

Historical designation: FS35237 Medium Gray

Application type: Exterior low-visibility camouflage

Period: Late Cold War through modern U.S. naval aviation

Description: A blue-gray medium tone used extensively in U.S. Navy and Marine Corps low-visibility camouflage.

Primary scheme(s): Tactical Paint Scheme - TPS. FS35237 is particularly important in three-gray TPS applications alongside FS36320 Dark Ghost Gray and FS36375 Light Ghost Gray.

Typical subjects: F-14 Tomcat, selected F/A-18 applications, USMC AH-1 helicopters and other Navy/Marine aircraft where the particular TPS specification includes FS35237.

Companion colors: SCA027 Dark Ghost Gray and SCA028 Light Ghost Gray.

SCA024 - US Gunship Gray FS36118

Historical designation: FS36118 Gunship Gray

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Late Cold War through modern use

Description: A very dark neutral gray that became one of the most important modern USAF tactical colors.

Primary scheme(s): F-15E Strike Eagle: essentially overall FS36118. F-16 gray schemes: used as the dark upper-surface color in multiple F-16 camouflage arrangements. F-4 Hill Gray: paired with lighter gray on late USAF Phantoms. FS36118 also appears on A-10s and a variety of test, tactical and specialized subjects.

Typical subjects: F-15E, F-16, late F-4 variants, selected A-10 schemes and other modern USAF aircraft.

Companion colors: SCA033 FS36270 and, depending upon F-16 scheme, SCA028 FS36375.

SCA025 - US Have Glass Gray FS36170

Historical designation: FS36170

Application type: Low-observable exterior finish

Period: Modern U.S. tactical aviation

Description: Represents the USAF-listed FS36170 color used with Have Glass low-observable finishes. The real coating can display metallic, reflective and color-shifting characteristics due to its material composition, but those effects are substantially diminished at modeling scales. SCA025 therefore represents the underlying specified color rather than attempting to duplicate the full optical behavior of the full-scale coating.

Primary scheme(s): Have Glass V and related modern low-observable finishes.

Typical subjects: F-35A, F-35B and F-35C, plus later F-16C/CM aircraft using Have Glass finishes.

Modeling note: This is intentionally a practical scale-model representation of the specified USAF color. Surface character and final sheen may be adjusted after decals according to the particular aircraft.

SCA026 - US Dark Gull Gray FS36231

Historical designation: FS36231 Dark Gull Gray

Application type: Cockpit and visible interior finish

Period: Postwar through modern U.S. aviation

Description: Dark Gull Gray became one of the standard cockpit colors of postwar U.S. military aviation. For most modelers its principal relevance is the visible cockpit, making it a normal paint requirement rather than a hidden structural detail.

Typical subjects: Cockpits and crew stations on many F-4, F-8, A-4, A-6, A-7, F-14, F-15, F-16 and other postwar U.S. aircraft, subject to aircraft-specific exceptions.

Companion colors: Black instrument panels, consoles, ejection seats and other cockpit details as appropriate.

Modeling note: This postwar interior role should remain separate from ANA621 Dark Gull Gray's earlier WWII exterior-camouflage application.

SCA027 - US Dark Ghost Gray FS36320

Historical designation: FS36320 Dark Ghost Gray

Application type: Exterior low-visibility camouflage

Period: Late Cold War through modern use

Description: One of the principal low-visibility grays used by both the USAF and U.S. naval aviation.

Primary scheme(s): F-15 Compass Ghost: paired with FS36375 Light Ghost Gray. USN/USMC Tactical Paint Scheme: used with FS36375 and, on appropriate aircraft, FS35237.

Typical subjects: F-15A/C, F-14A/B/D, F/A-18 family and numerous other Navy and Marine low-visibility aircraft.

Companion colors: SCA028 Light Ghost Gray and SCA023 Medium Gray where appropriate.

 

SCA028 - US Light Ghost Gray FS36375

Historical designation: FS36375 Light Ghost Gray

Application type: Exterior low-visibility camouflage

Period: Late Cold War through modern use

Description: A light neutral gray with enormous application across modern U.S. military aircraft.

Primary scheme(s): F-15 Compass Ghost; USN/USMC Tactical Paint Scheme; F-16 gray camouflage systems.

Typical subjects: F-15A/C, F-14, F/A-18, F-16 and numerous Navy, Marine and Air Force aircraft depending upon scheme and date.

Companion colors: SCA027 Dark Ghost Gray, SCA023 Medium Gray, and on certain F-16 schemes SCA024 Gunship Gray and SCA033 Medium Gray.

SCA029 - US Light Gray FS36495

Historical designation: FS36495 Light Gray

Application type: Exterior camouflage / specialized low-visibility finish

Period: Primarily late Cold War applications

Description: A very light gray appearing in selected U.S. tactical, test and aggressor camouflage schemes.

Primary application(s): Particularly useful on some early F/A-18A/B Tactical Paint Scheme configurations, where it could be used with FS36375 and FS35237. It also appears in selected F-16 aggressor and test schemes.

Typical subjects: Early Hornets and specific aggressor/test aircraft where the scheme explicitly calls for FS36495.

Companion colors: SCA028 and SCA023 in appropriate early Hornet schemes; other colors according to aggressor pattern.

Modeling note: FS36495 should not be substituted indiscriminately for Light Ghost Gray in later TPS aircraft.

SCA030 - US F-15 Dark Gray FS36176

Historical designation: FS36176

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Late Cold War through modern F-15 service

Description: A dark blue-gray forming the darker camouflage component of the later F-15 Mod Eagle scheme.

Primary scheme(s): Mod Eagle. FS36176 forms the darker disruptive areas over the lighter FS36251 base color.

Typical subjects: F-15A, F-15C and F-15D aircraft wearing the Mod Eagle finish.

Companion colors: SCA031 FS36251 Aggressor Gray.

Modeling note: FS36176 has also been associated with modeling interpretations of the F-22, but the Raptor's low-observable metallic surface system substantially changes the apparent character of its colors. F-22 applications should therefore be handled separately rather than treated as ordinary Mod Eagle paint.

SCA031 - US Aggressor Gray FS36251

Historical designation: FS36251 Aggressor Gray

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Late Cold War through modern use

Description: A medium gray used as the lighter/base color of the F-15 Mod Eagle camouflage system and in selected aggressor/adversary schemes.

Primary scheme(s): Mod Eagle, paired with FS36176.

Typical subjects: F-15A/C/D in Mod Eagle camouflage and selected F-15/F-16 aggressor aircraft where FS36251 is specified.

Companion colors: SCA030 FS36176.

Modeling note: Aggressor aircraft frequently use highly individualized schemes. The name "Aggressor Gray" should not imply that all aggressor aircraft use this color.

 

SCA032 - USAF Air Superiority Blue FS35450

Historical designation: FS35450 Air Superiority Blue

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Early F-15 service, primarily 1970s

Description: A pale blue-gray developed for the USAF's new air-superiority fighter and intended to reduce visual contrast against the sky.

Primary scheme(s): F-15 Air Superiority Blue. This was the original operational appearance of early F-15A/B Eagles before the fleet transitioned to Compass Ghost gray camouflage.

Typical subjects: Early F-15A and F-15B development, evaluation and operational aircraft.

Companion colors: Primarily white, black and aircraft markings rather than a second major camouflage hue.

SCA033 - USAF Medium Gray FS36270

Historical designation: FS36270 Neutral/Medium Gray

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Late Cold War through modern use

Description: A medium neutral gray best known as one of the defining colors of the F-16 family.

Primary scheme(s): F-16 gray camouflage: used with FS36118 and, in some earlier arrangements, FS36375. F-4 Hill Gray: used with FS36118 on late-service USAF Phantoms.

Typical subjects: F-16A/C/D and later Fighting Falcons depending upon date and block, plus late F-4C/D/E/G aircraft in Hill Gray camouflage.

Companion colors: SCA024 FS36118 and, where appropriate, SCA028 FS36375.

SCA034 - USN Light Gull Gray FS26440

Historical designation: FS26440 Light Gull Gray

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Primarily mid-1950s through the high-visibility Cold War naval era

Description: The characteristic gray used on the upper surfaces of the classic U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Light Gull Gray over White aircraft scheme. The 2 prefix specifies a semi-gloss finish, matching the normal Squadron Colors application philosophy particularly well.

Primary scheme(s): USN/USMC Light Gull Gray and White.

Typical subjects: F-4 Phantom II, F-8 Crusader, A-4 Skyhawk, A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair II, RA-5C Vigilante and many other Navy and Marine aircraft.

Companion colors: SCA035 Underside White FS27875.

Modeling note: Related Light Gull Gray specifications may appear with 1-, 2- or 3-series sheen prefixes. Historical sheen and Squadron bottle sheen should remain separate database fields.

SCA035 - US Underside White FS 27875

Historical identity: Insignia White family / FS27875 application finish

Application type: Exterior camouflage and markings

Period: Broad postwar application

Description: The white companion to the classic postwar Light Gull Gray naval aircraft scheme and a general-purpose aircraft white where the appropriate specification calls for it. Historically, Insignia White also appears under other sheen prefixes, particularly FS17875.

Primary scheme(s): USN/USMC Light Gull Gray and White.

Typical subjects: F-4, F-8, A-4, A-6, A-7, E-2, S-2, SH-3 and many other postwar Navy and Marine aircraft.

Companion colors: SCA034 Light Gull Gray.

Modeling note: Where the historical specification calls for gloss or flat white, Squadron's decal-friendly semi-gloss application finish can be adjusted to the correct final sheen after decals.

SCA036 - USMC Medium Green FS 34095

Historical designation: FS34095

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Primarily late 1970s through 1980s Marine aviation

Description: A dark green adopted as a standard Marine Corps helicopter finish after the Vietnam era. It first appeared as an overall helicopter color and later became one component of a multi-color Marine Land Camouflage Scheme.

Primary scheme(s): Overall USMC helicopter green; USMC helicopter Land Camouflage Scheme.

Typical subjects: UH-1, AH-1, CH-46, CH-53 and other Marine helicopters of the late 1970s and 1980s.

Companion colors: SCA023 FS35237 and Black in the later multi-color Land Camouflage Scheme.

SCA037 - USMC Extra Dark Green FS 34064

Historical designation: FS34064

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Primarily 1980s-early 1990s

Description: A very dark green most strongly associated with the U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II Land Camouflage Scheme.

Primary scheme(s): AV-8B Land Camouflage Scheme. Early version: FS34064 Extra Dark Green, FS36099 Dark Blue Gray, Light Gull Gray lower surfaces. Later version: FS34064 and FS36099 in a two-color wraparound camouflage.

Typical subjects: AV-8B Harrier II aircraft prior to widespread adoption of later gray Tactical Paint Schemes.

Companion colors: SCA038 Dark Blue Gray and Light Gull Gray on earlier aircraft.

SCA038 - USMC Dark Blue Gray FS 36099

Historical designation: FS36099

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Primarily 1980s-early 1990s

Description: An extremely dark blue-gray used with FS34064 on Marine AV-8B Harrier II aircraft.

Primary scheme(s): AV-8B Land Camouflage Scheme. Initially used as an upper-surface camouflage color above a Light Gull Gray underside, then retained with FS34064 when the scheme evolved into a two-color wraparound finish.

Typical subjects: AV-8B Harrier II.

Companion colors: SCA037 FS34064 and, on early configurations, Light Gull Gray.

SCA039 - USMC Dark Blue FS 35190

Historical designation: FS35190 modeling match

Application type: Theater-applied exterior camouflage

Period: Operation Desert Storm, 1991

Description: A blue associated particularly with the unusual camouflage applied to VMA-231 AV-8B Harrier IIs during Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft were finished under field/theater conditions, and FS35190 is best regarded as a practical modeling match rather than proof that every aircraft was painted directly from a standardized can marked FS35190.

Primary application(s): VMA-231 Desert Storm AV-8B camouflage.

Typical subjects: AV-8B Harrier II aircraft of VMA-231 during the 1991 Gulf War.

Companion colors: A very light gray, commonly represented near FS36495.

Modeling note: Period photographs and individual aircraft references should be used because the finish was not a conventional standardized factory camouflage system.

 

SCA040 - USMC Sand FS 33711

Historical designation: FS33711 USMC Sand

Application type: Theater-applied desert camouflage

Period: Primarily Operation Desert Storm, 1991

Description: A pale sand color strongly associated with U.S. Marine helicopter camouflage during the Gulf War. Unlike formal factory schemes such as SEA or Mod Eagle, Marine desert finishes showed considerable unit and aircraft variation.

Primary application(s): Used overall on some aircraft or as the lighter component of two-tone desert camouflage.

Typical subjects: AH-1 Sea Cobra/Super Cobra, UH-1, CH-46, CH-53 and other Marine helicopters operating during Desert Storm.

Companion colors: Depending upon the individual aircraft, documented darker companions include SCA041 FS30279, SCA020 FS30219, SCA042 FS30117 and other colors.

SCA041 - USMC Sand FS 30279

Historical designation: FS30279 Desert Sand

Application type: Exterior desert camouflage

Period: Primarily Gulf War Marine applications within this product context

Description: A warmer, darker desert color used as one of the possible companion tones to FS33711 in U.S. Marine helicopter camouflage during Operation Desert Storm.

Primary application(s): Two-tone Marine desert helicopter schemes.

Typical subjects: AH-1, UH-1, CH-46 and CH-53 aircraft where photographic or unit references support the lighter sand-on-sand combination.

Companion colors: SCA040 FS33711.

Modeling note: FS30279 was not the universal darker companion to FS33711; several alternatives appeared in theater.

SCA042 - USMC Earth Red FS 30117

Historical designation: FS30117 Earth Red

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Gulf War application plus other U.S. camouflage uses

Description: A dark reddish-earth color with broader U.S. military camouflage applications, including use as one of the darker tones seen on some Marine aircraft during Desert Storm.

Primary application(s): Two-tone Marine desert helicopter camouflage using FS33711 as the lighter color.

Typical subjects: 1991 Marine helicopters where period photographs or specific references show the strong reddish-brown contrast.

Companion colors: SCA040 FS33711.

Modeling note: Earth Red should be treated as aircraft-specific rather than as part of a mandatory generic USMC Desert Storm palette.

SCA043 - USMC Dark Green FS 34097

Historical designation: FS34097 Field Green family

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Primarily 1950s through Vietnam-era and immediate post-Vietnam Marine aviation

Description: The characteristic dark Field Green associated with Marine helicopters during much of the Vietnam era. The specified sheen changed during its service life, including use of both flat and gloss-numbered variants of the same general hue family.

Primary scheme(s): Overall USMC Field Green.

Typical subjects: UH-1E Huey, CH-34, CH-46, CH-53, early AH-1J Sea Cobra and other Marine helicopters.

Companion colors: SCA036 FS34095 became the later standard Marine helicopter green.

Modeling note: Because Squadron Colors are normally supplied semi-gloss for decal compatibility, the modeler can reproduce the required historical flat or gloss appearance with the final clear coat.

SCA044 - US Army Helo Drab FS 34031

Historical designation: FS34031 U.S. Army Helo Drab

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Primarily mid-1980s through modern Army aviation

Description: The very dark olive-green finish that became synonymous with modern U.S. Army helicopters. The color can appear green, olive, brownish or nearly gray depending upon lighting, weathering and photography.

Primary scheme(s): Overall U.S. Army Helo Drab.

Typical subjects: UH-60 Black Hawk, AH-64 Apache, OH-58 Kiowa, later AH-1 Cobra, MH/AH-6 variants, CH-47 Chinook during applicable periods and numerous other Army rotary-wing aircraft.

Companion colors: Primarily cockpit, rotor, exhaust and detail colors rather than additional exterior camouflage colors.

Modeling note: Helo Drab should not automatically be assigned to every modern Army helicopter regardless of date. Individual types, including later CH-47 finishes, have exceptions that should be handled at subject level.

SCA045 - US Insignia Yellow ANA 614

Historical designation: ANA 614 Orange Yellow

Commercial product name: US Insignia Yellow ANA 614

Application type: Identification, visibility and marking color

Historical sheen: Non-specular under ANA 614

Squadron bottle sheen: Semi-gloss

Period: WWII into early postwar applications where appropriate

Description: ANA 614 was the non-specular Orange Yellow of the wartime Army-Navy Aeronautical color system. Squadron retains the commercial name "US Insignia Yellow ANA 614," but the historical designation field remains ANA 614 Orange Yellow.

Primary application(s): Identification panels, warning and visibility markings, propeller-tip markings, and other yellow areas where ANA 614 or its service-specific predecessor is documented.

Typical subjects: Broad application across U.S. Army Air Forces, Navy and Marine aircraft during the ANA-standard period, subject to the marking instructions and finish requirement for the particular aircraft and date.

Companion colors: Insignia Blue, Insignia Red, Insignia White and other period marking colors.

Modeling note: The FS13538 value used in Squadron product-development data is a modern comparison/formulation reference and should not be treated as the historical definition of ANA 614. Historical cross-reference tables commonly place ANA 614 nearer the flat FS33538 family; the ANA designation remains authoritative.

SCA046 - US Dark Dull Green FS34092

Historical identity: Dull Dark Green

Commercial product name: US Dark Dull Green FS34092

Application type: Cockpit, crew-station and visible interior finish

Period: Primarily WWII

Description: A very dark, low-reflectance green used in selected U.S. aircraft cockpits, crew stations and interior components during WWII. Dull Dark Green belongs to the family of dark U.S. interior finishes used alongside or after Bronze Green No. 9 and before Interior Green became widespread. It was not a universal cockpit color.

Primary application(s): Cockpits, crew compartments, seats, armor and other visible interior areas where manufacturer- or aircraft-specific evidence supports Dull Dark Green.

Typical subjects: Selected WWII U.S. Army Air Forces and naval aircraft. Applicability depends strongly on manufacturer, production period, compartment and individual aircraft instructions.

Companion colors: SCA048 Bronze Green No. 9, SCA008 Interior Green, SCA009 Zinc Chromate Yellow and other aircraft-specific primer/interior finishes.

Modeling note: FS34092 is a useful modern visual comparison for Dull Dark Green, not the original WWII specification. Do not recommend SCA046 merely because an aircraft is American and wartime; subject-level evidence should determine whether Dull Dark Green, Bronze Green or Interior Green is appropriate.

SCA047 - USAF Air Defense Command Gray FS 16473

Historical designation: FS16473 Aircraft Gray / Air Defense Command Gray

Application type: Exterior aircraft finish

Historical sheen: Gloss under FS16473

Squadron bottle sheen: Semi-gloss

Period: Primarily Cold War Air Defense Command / Aerospace Defense Command service

Description: A light, slightly cool aircraft gray strongly associated with U.S. Air Force interceptor aircraft assigned to Air Defense Command and its successor organizations. Unlike FS comparisons attached to older WWII colors, FS16473 is an actual Federal Standard-era specification.

Primary scheme(s): Overall Aircraft Gray / ADC Gray exterior finish on applicable interceptor aircraft.

Typical subjects: F-102 Delta Dagger, F-106 Delta Dart, F-101B/F Voodoo and other Air Defense Command, Aerospace Defense Command or Air National Guard aircraft where FS16473 is documented.

Companion colors: Black, white, metallic and radome/dielectric colors appropriate to the individual aircraft and period.

SCA048 - US Bronze Green #9

Historical designation: Bronze Green No. 9

Application type: Cockpit, crew-station and visible interior finish

Period: Prewar through early/mid-WWII, with aircraft-specific continuation

Description: A very dark olive-green interior finish used in enclosed cockpits, crew stations and selected components before and during the early years of WWII. Bronze Green No. 9 is distinct from Dull Dark Green and from the later, lighter Interior Green family.

Primary application(s): Cockpits, crew compartments, seats, armor and other finished interior areas where Bronze Green No. 9 is documented.

Typical subjects: Selected prewar and early-WWII U.S. Army and naval aircraft. Manufacturer, production date and compartment remain decisive because U.S. interior practice varied considerably.

Companion colors: SCA046 Dull Dark Green, SCA008 Interior Green, SCA009 Zinc Chromate Yellow and other aircraft-specific interior/primer finishes.

Modeling note: Bronze Green No. 9 predates Federal Standard 595. Any FS number offered for it in later references is only a modern comparison and must not replace the original historical designation.

 

2. Japanese Aircraft Colors

SCA100-SCA104

Japanese Aircraft - Quick Reference

SKU	Product	Practical modeler application
SCA100	IJN Ame-Iro 1941/42	Early-war IJN gray-green; Pearl Harbor-era Zero and related early-war finishes
SCA101	IJN/IJA ID Chrome Yellow	Yellow leading-edge and identification markings
SCA102	IJN/IJA Trainer Orange	Overall trainer/prototype orange-yellow
SCA103	IJN Mitsubishi Green	Mitsubishi-built IJN dark-green camouflage
SCA104	IJA Nakajima Green	Nakajima-built IJA green camouflage

 

SCA100 - IJN Ame-Iro 1941/42

Historical identity: Early-war IJN gray-green / amber-gray finish

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Primarily 1941-42

Squadron bottle sheen: Semi-gloss

Description: SCA100 represents the characteristic light gray-green to subtly amber or khaki-gray finish associated with early-war Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft. For many years, aircraft such as the early Zero were commonly portrayed in a very pale neutral gray. Research based on surviving original finishes and wartime documentation instead demonstrates a warmer gray-green appearance, sometimes showing a distinct amber or khaki tendency. The precise Japanese terminology and interpretation of this finish have generated considerable historical debate. For the modeler, however, the practical application is straightforward: the familiar light gray-green finish of Pearl Harbor-era IJN aircraft is represented by SCA100.

Primary applications:

• Early A6M2 Zero fighters, including Pearl Harbor and other early Pacific-war aircraft.
• Other early IJN aircraft where the characteristic gray-green/amber-gray finish is appropriate.
• Early D3A1 Val and B5N Kate applications may also fall within this general color family where the specific subject and reference support it.

Typical modeler callout: Pearl Harbor A6M2 Zero -> SCA100 IJN Ame-Iro 1941/42

Manufacturer variation: Mitsubishi- and Nakajima-built aircraft could display somewhat different tendencies within the general early-war gray-green family. Mitsubishi examples tend toward the greener side, while surviving Nakajima finishes can appear somewhat more khaki or tan. For ordinary modeling purposes, these variations do not normally require a separate Squadron color.

Weathering note: The original finish could weather substantially. Exposed paint may become lighter, chalkier and noticeably grayer than protected original material. The appearance of heavily weathered wreckage therefore should not automatically be interpreted as representing the factory-applied color.

Modeling note: For the modeler, the rule can remain simple: Early-war light gray-green IJN aircraft -> SCA100.

 

SCA101 - IJN/IJA ID Chrome Yellow

Historical identity: Japanese aircraft identification yellow

Application type: Recognition and identification markings

Period: Primarily WWII

Description: A strong yellow used by both Imperial Japanese Navy and Army aviation for highly visible aircraft identification and recognition markings. Its most familiar application is the yellow recognition band applied to the leading edges of the wings on many mid- and late-war Japanese combat aircraft.

Primary applications:

• Wing-leading-edge identification bands and other yellow recognition markings where documented.

Typical modeler callout: Japanese aircraft with yellow leading-edge recognition bands -> SCA101

Typical subjects: A6M Zero, J2M Raiden, N1K Shiden/Shiden-Kai, Ki-43 Hayabusa, Ki-44 Shoki, Ki-61 Hien, Ki-84 Hayate and many other Japanese combat aircraft.

Relationship to SCA102 Trainer Orange: SCA101 should primarily be treated as an identification color. Japanese trainer finishes could sometimes appear distinctly yellow or yellow-orange, which has contributed to confusion between identification yellow and trainer orange. The default overall trainer recommendation remains SCA102 unless evidence for the specific aircraft indicates otherwise.

Modeling note: Field application could create variations in width, sharpness and exact appearance of the identification bands. These minor differences do not require a different basic paint recommendation.

SCA102 - IJN/IJA Trainer Orange

Historical identity: Japanese trainer/prototype orange-yellow

Application type: High-visibility trainer and test-aircraft finish

Period: Prewar through WWII

Description: SCA102 represents the distinctive orange to orange-yellow finish associated with Japanese military training aircraft. Both the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy used this general high-visibility color family for trainers, while the Navy also applied orange finishes to prototypes and aircraft undergoing service testing. The Japanese designation commonly translated as orange-yellow could produce appearances ranging from a strong reddish orange through yellow-orange.

Primary applications:

• Overall or extensive high-visibility finishes on training aircraft.
• Selected IJN prototype or evaluation aircraft.

Typical modeler callout: Japanese orange/yellow-orange trainer -> SCA102 Trainer Orange

Typical IJN subjects: K5Y Type 93 "Willow," A6M2-K Zero trainer and other Navy trainers and prototypes.

Typical IJA subjects: Ki-9, Ki-17, Ki-55 and other Army training aircraft.

Trainer Orange vs. Chrome Yellow: There is legitimate historical discussion concerning trainer aircraft that appear considerably more yellow than orange. Surviving material and period imagery demonstrate that the practical appearance of Japanese trainer finishes could vary across the yellow-orange spectrum. This has resulted in some aircraft being described simply as yellow. For the modeler, SCA102 remains the default overall trainer color. SCA101 Chrome Yellow should be reserved primarily for identification markings unless the particular aircraft reference clearly supports a more yellow overall interpretation.

Late-war application: Some trainers and test aircraft later received dark green camouflage over portions of their original high-visibility finish. Orange could remain visible on lower surfaces or other areas.

Modeling note: The customer does not need to resolve whether a source describes a finish as orange, orange-yellow, or trainer yellow before selecting the basic trainer color.

SCA103 - IJN Mitsubishi Green

Historical identity: Mitsubishi IJN factory dark green

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Primarily mid-to-late WWII

Description: SCA103 represents the dark green upper-surface camouflage associated particularly with Mitsubishi-built Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft. The IJN's later-war dark green camouflage was not represented by one visually identical paint across every aircraft manufacturer. Surviving samples show meaningful differences among Mitsubishi, Nakajima, Aichi and other manufacturers. Mitsubishi's Navy dark green is generally associated with a deep, strong green appearance.

Primary applications:

• Factory-applied dark-green upper surfaces on Mitsubishi-built IJN aircraft.

Typical modeler callout: Mitsubishi-built later Zero with dark-green upper surfaces -> SCA103 IJN Mitsubishi Green

Typical subjects: Most importantly, Mitsubishi-built later Zero variants, including A6M5-family aircraft where Mitsubishi factory camouflage is appropriate. Mitsubishi-built G4M Betty aircraft and other Mitsubishi Navy types may also use this color where the particular production period and finish support it.

Manufacturer note: This product should not be interpreted as representing every dark green used by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Nakajima-produced Navy aircraft could show a distinctly different dark green, while Aichi, Kawanishi and other manufacturers also displayed their own tendencies.

SCA104 - IJA Nakajima Green

Historical identity: Nakajima-associated IJA dark green / dark olive-green camouflage

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: WWII

Description: SCA104 represents the green camouflage associated with Nakajima-built Imperial Japanese Army aircraft. Surviving aircraft material documents shades ranging from dark green into dark olive-green. Field application, weathering and differing production practices could produce considerable variation in appearance. This is a practical modeling representation of the characteristic Nakajima Army green family rather than an assertion that every Nakajima Army aircraft received one chemically identical paint.

Primary applications:

• Green camouflage on Nakajima-built IJA aircraft where a green finish is appropriate.

Typical modeler callout: Ki-43 or Ki-44 requiring green camouflage -> SCA104 IJA Nakajima Green

Typical subjects: Ki-43 Hayabusa "Oscar," Ki-44 Shoki "Tojo," and other Nakajima Army aircraft according to date and camouflage treatment.

Application variation: Many Japanese Army aircraft left the factory in natural metal or simpler finishes and later received camouflage at depots, maintenance facilities or operational units. Consequently, mottling, solid green areas, disruptive patterns and coverage could vary considerably even where the same general green family is appropriate.

Ki-84 note: The Ki-84 Hayate requires slightly more caution. Some aircraft and finishes can legitimately involve green camouflage, but later standardized factory camouflage also included the Army #7 Olive Brown family. SCA104 therefore should not automatically be assigned to every Ki-84 simply because Nakajima manufactured the aircraft. Ki-84 recommendations should be linked to the particular period or aircraft whenever that information is available.

Modeling note: For common green-camouflaged Nakajima Army fighters, SCA104 remains the straightforward practical choice.

 

3. Great Britain Aircraft Colors

SCA200-SCA211

Great Britain Aircraft - Quick Reference

SKU	Product	Practical modeler application
SCA200	RAF Dark Green	Core RAF upper-surface camouflage; early Dark Earth partner and later Ocean Grey partner
SCA201	RAF Dark Earth	Early RAF and bomber upper camouflage; desert partner to Middle Stone
SCA202	RAF Ocean Gray	Later-war RAF Day Fighter upper camouflage with Dark Green
SCA203	Medium Sea Gray	Later-war RAF Day Fighter lower-surface color
SCA204	RAF Extra Dark Sea Gray	Main FAA Temperate Sea Scheme dark grey
SCA205	RAF Dark Sea Gray	FAA shadow-shading color; also selected maritime/Coastal Command applications
SCA206	Dark Slate Gray	Main FAA Temperate Sea Scheme green-grey partner
SCA207	Light Slate Gray	FAA biplane shadow-compensation partner to Dark Sea Grey
SCA208	Sky Gray	Early FAA / maritime lower-surface color
SCA209	Sky Type S	1940-41 RAF fighter undersides; later ID bands, spinners and other specified uses
SCA210	Sky Blue	Distinct pale blue; use only where the subject or documented scheme specifically calls for Sky Blue
SCA211	Middlestone	RAF desert upper camouflage paired with Dark Earth

 

SCA200 - RAF Dark Green

Historical identity: RAF Dark Green

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Late 1930s through WWII; continued where specified after the war

Description: One of the principal RAF camouflage colors of WWII. At the outbreak of war it was paired with Dark Earth on day fighters and many other operational aircraft. When RAF day-fighter camouflage changed in August 1941, Dark Green remained in use while Ocean Grey replaced Dark Earth and Medium Sea Grey replaced Sky beneath the aircraft.

Primary schemes / applications:

• Early RAF / Temperate Land applications: Dark Green + Dark Earth.
• Later RAF Day Fighter Scheme: Dark Green + Ocean Grey over Medium Sea Grey.
• Bomber camouflage: Dark Green + Dark Earth over Night on types such as Lancaster.

Typical applications:

• Spitfire and Hurricane, with companion colors determined by date and role.
• Lancaster and other RAF bombers in Dark Green/Dark Earth over Night.
• Mosquito FB VI in Day Fighter camouflage, and later examples retaining Dark Green/Ocean Grey above Night.

Companion colors:

• SCA201 RAF Dark Earth
• SCA202 RAF Ocean Gray
• SCA203 Medium Sea Gray

Modeling note: Dark Green is a long-lived color whose companion color is the key to identifying the scheme. The aircraft date and role usually matter more than the aircraft type by itself.

 

SCA201 - RAF Dark Earth

Historical identity: RAF Dark Earth

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Prewar through WWII; retained in bomber, overseas and special applications after it left the home day-fighter scheme

Description: The brown component of the classic early-war RAF camouflage system. Dark Earth and Dark Green dominated day-fighter upper surfaces during the opening years of WWII. In August 1941, Ocean Grey replaced Dark Earth on the standard home-based Day Fighter Scheme, but Dark Earth remained important on bombers and in overseas and desert camouflage.

Primary schemes / applications:

• Early RAF / Temperate Land applications: Dark Earth + Dark Green.
• RAF bomber camouflage: Dark Earth + Dark Green over Night.
• Desert camouflage: Dark Earth + Middle Stone, with the appropriate underside color for the subject.

Typical applications:

• Battle of Britain-era Spitfires and Hurricanes.
• Lancaster and other bombers retaining Dark Earth/Dark Green upper camouflage.
• RAF and Commonwealth aircraft in desert and Mediterranean schemes when paired with Middle Stone.

Companion colors:

• SCA200 RAF Dark Green
• SCA211 Middlestone

Typical modeler callout:

• Battle of Britain RAF fighter -> SCA200 Dark Green + SCA201 Dark Earth.
• RAF desert aircraft -> SCA201 Dark Earth + SCA211 Middlestone.

Modeling note: Dark Earth did not disappear from RAF service when Ocean Grey replaced it on the home day-fighter scheme. Treat the 1941 change as a scheme change, not the retirement of the color.

SCA202 - RAF Ocean Gray

Historical identity: RAF Ocean Grey

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: From August 1941 through the remainder of WWII and later where specified

Description: Ocean Grey replaced Dark Earth as the grey component of the RAF Day Fighter Scheme in August 1941. With Dark Green above and Medium Sea Grey below, it produced the familiar later-war camouflage of RAF day fighters and many tactical aircraft.

Primary schemes / applications:

• RAF Day Fighter Scheme: Dark Green + Ocean Grey over Medium Sea Grey.

Typical applications:

• Spitfire Mk V and later day-fighter marks, depending on date and role.
• Hurricane day fighters after the August 1941 change.
• Typhoon, Tempest and other later-war RAF tactical aircraft.
• Mosquito FB VI initially in the standard Day Fighter Scheme; many later FB VI aircraft retained Dark Green/Ocean Grey upper surfaces over Night.

Companion colors:

• SCA200 RAF Dark Green
• SCA203 Medium Sea Gray

Typical modeler callout:

• Later-war RAF day fighter -> SCA200 + SCA202 + SCA203.

Modeling note: Sky identification spinners and fuselage bands could remain in use after the upper/lower camouflage changed, so scheme colors and identification colors should be handled as separate application records.

SCA203 - Medium Sea Gray

Historical identity: RAF Medium Sea Grey

Application type: Exterior camouflage, primarily lower surfaces

Period: From August 1941 through WWII and later use where specified

Description: Medium Sea Grey became the standard lower-surface color of the RAF Day Fighter Scheme when it replaced Sky beneath day fighters in August 1941.

Primary schemes / applications:

• RAF Day Fighter Scheme lower surfaces beneath Dark Green + Ocean Grey.

Typical applications:

• Spitfire, Hurricane, Typhoon, Tempest and other RAF day fighters wearing the later-war Day Fighter Scheme.
• Early Mosquito FB VI aircraft in standard Day Fighter camouflage.
• Selected spinners and other subject-specific applications; Chapter Nine notes Medium Sea Grey spinners on many Mosquito FB VI aircraft in the later night-fighter arrangement.

Companion colors:

• SCA200 RAF Dark Green
• SCA202 RAF Ocean Gray

Typical modeler callout:

• 1941-45 RAF Day Fighter underside -> SCA203 Medium Sea Gray.

Bottle-sheen note: Squadron Colors are generally supplied semi-gloss to improve decal application. The appropriate final service sheen can be restored with the finishing clear coat.

SCA204 - RAF Extra Dark Sea Gray

Historical identity: Extra Dark Sea Grey

Application type: Fleet Air Arm / maritime exterior camouflage

Period: WWII and later naval aviation where specified

Description: One of the two principal upper-surface colors of the Fleet Air Arm Temperate Sea Scheme. It was paired with Dark Slate Grey to create the characteristic dark maritime camouflage of British naval aircraft.

Primary schemes / applications:

• Fleet Air Arm Temperate Sea Scheme: Extra Dark Sea Grey + Dark Slate Grey.

Typical applications:

• Swordfish, Fulmar, Firefly, Barracuda, Seafire, Sea Hurricane and other FAA aircraft when the Temperate Sea Scheme is appropriate.
• Underside color varied with period, aircraft and mission, including Sky and later White in anti-submarine applications.

Companion colors:

• SCA206 Dark Slate Gray

Typical modeler callout:

• WWII FAA Temperate Sea Scheme -> SCA204 Extra Dark Sea Gray + SCA206 Dark Slate Gray.

Modeling note: Do not confuse Extra Dark Sea Grey with Dark Sea Grey. The lighter Dark Sea Grey had different applications, including shadow compensation and selected maritime schemes.

 

SCA205 - RAF Dark Sea Gray

Historical identity: RAF Dark Sea Grey

Application type: Exterior camouflage / maritime and shadow-compensation applications

Period: WWII and later where specified

Description: A lighter grey than Extra Dark Sea Grey. During WWII it appears in more than one role: as part of the lighter shadow-compensation pairing on FAA biplanes, and in selected maritime schemes. Chapter Nine specifically notes Coastal Command Mosquitoes appearing in overall Dark Sea Grey with Sky undersides.

Primary schemes / applications:

• FAA biplane shadow compensation: Dark Sea Grey + Light Slate Grey on shaded/lower-plane camouflage areas where specified.
• Selected Coastal Command and maritime applications, including Dark Sea Grey over Sky on documented Mosquito subjects.

Typical applications:

• Swordfish and other FAA biplanes when the aircraft carried full shadow-shading treatment.
• Coastal Command Mosquitoes where the specific aircraft is documented in Dark Sea Grey over Sky.

Companion colors:

• SCA207 Light Slate Gray
• SCA209 Sky Type S for documented Dark Sea Grey-over-Sky applications

Typical modeler callout:

• FAA biplane with shadow-compensation colors -> SCA205 + SCA207 on the appropriate shaded/lower-plane areas.
• Documented Coastal Command Mosquito in Dark Sea Grey over Sky -> SCA205 + SCA209.

Modeling note: Do not substitute SCA205 for SCA204 merely because the names are similar. Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Sea Grey are separate historical colors.

SCA206 - Dark Slate Gray

Historical identity: Dark Slate Grey

Application type: Fleet Air Arm / maritime exterior camouflage

Period: Primarily WWII; later where specified

Description: The green-grey partner to Extra Dark Sea Grey in the Fleet Air Arm Temperate Sea Scheme. Despite the name, Dark Slate Grey has a pronounced green character and should not be interpreted as an ordinary neutral grey.

Primary schemes / applications:

• Fleet Air Arm Temperate Sea Scheme: Extra Dark Sea Grey + Dark Slate Grey.

Typical applications:

• Swordfish, Fulmar, Barracuda, Firefly, Sea Hurricane, Seafire and other FAA subjects where the Temperate Sea Scheme is appropriate.
• Upper planes of early FAA biplanes when shadow compensation was used; Light Slate Grey served as its lighter counterpart on shaded/lower-plane areas.

Companion colors:

• SCA204 RAF Extra Dark Sea Gray
• SCA207 Light Slate Gray for shadow-compensated lower-plane work

Typical modeler callout:

• WWII FAA Temperate Sea Scheme -> SCA204 + SCA206.

Modeling note: The "Slate Grey" name can mislead modelers. Treat it as a green-grey camouflage color, not a neutral grey.

SCA207 - Light Slate Gray

Historical identity: Light Slate Grey

Application type: Fleet Air Arm shadow-compensation camouflage

Period: Primarily early WWII applications

Description: The lighter counterpart to Dark Slate Grey used in shadow-compensated Fleet Air Arm camouflage. Its most important modeling role is on the upper surfaces of lower wings and related shaded areas of biplanes, where it was paired with Dark Sea Grey.

Primary schemes / applications:

• FAA biplane shadow compensation: Dark Sea Grey + Light Slate Grey.

Typical applications:

• Swordfish and other FAA biplanes where photographs or instructions support the shadow-shaded treatment.
• Use is subject-specific; not every Swordfish or FAA biplane requires Light Slate Grey.

Companion colors:

• SCA205 RAF Dark Sea Gray

Typical modeler callout:

• Swordfish or similar FAA biplane with shadow shading -> SCA205 + SCA207 on the appropriate lower-plane camouflage areas.

SCA208 - Sky Gray

Historical identity: Sky Grey

Application type: Maritime lower-surface camouflage

Period: Primarily prewar and early WWII for the applications relevant to this range

Description: An early Fleet Air Arm and maritime lower-surface color. It belongs to the period before Sky became the more familiar pale underside color on many British service aircraft.

Primary schemes / applications:

• Early FAA / maritime lower surfaces where the particular date and aircraft specify Sky Grey.

Typical applications:

• Early-war FAA subjects such as Skua, Roc, Swordfish, Sea Gladiator, Walrus and related naval aircraft when the documented scheme calls for Sky Grey.
• Use should be controlled by aircraft/date reference rather than by the simple appearance of a pale underside in a photograph.

Companion colors:

• SCA204 RAF Extra Dark Sea Gray
• SCA206 Dark Slate Gray

Typical modeler callout:

• Early FAA aircraft specifically calling for Sky Grey undersides -> SCA208.

Important distinction: Sky Grey and Sky/Type S are separate colors. Do not treat SCA208 and SCA209 as synonyms.

SCA209 - Sky Type S

Historical identity: Sky / Sky Type S

Application type: Lower surfaces and identification markings

Period: Introduced during 1940; extensive WWII use

Description: The familiar pale greenish British color strongly associated with RAF fighter undersides from the Battle of Britain period into 1941. It also became important as an identification color on spinners, fuselage bands and other specified markings.

Primary schemes / applications:

• RAF fighter undersides from the June 1940 change until Medium Sea Grey replaced Sky in the standard Day Fighter Scheme in August 1941.
• Sky spinners and 18-inch fuselage identification bands on RAF day fighters during the relevant period.
• Selected Fleet Air Arm and other service applications where the applicable order calls for Sky.

Typical applications:

• Spitfire, Hurricane, Defiant and many other RAF aircraft according to period and role.
• Fleet Air Arm undersides after adoption of Sky in the appropriate schemes.

Companion colors:

• SCA200 RAF Dark Green
• SCA201 RAF Dark Earth
• SCA205 RAF Dark Sea Gray in documented Coastal Command applications

Typical modeler callout:

• Battle of Britain fighter with standard Sky underside -> SCA209.
• Later RAF fighter requiring a Sky spinner or fuselage band -> SCA209.

SCA210 - Sky Blue

Historical identity: RAF Sky Blue

Application type: Exterior camouflage / lower-surface color in specific documented applications

Period: WWII; application is subject and theater dependent

Description: A distinct pale blue color and not another name for Sky/Type S. The supplied project sources establish Sky Blue as a separate RAF color but do not support treating it as a universal fighter underside. For that reason, SCA210 should be recommended only when the aircraft, theater, date or primary reference specifically calls for Sky Blue.

Primary schemes / applications:

• Subject-specific lower-surface or camouflage applications where Sky Blue is explicitly documented.

Typical applications:

• Use with aircraft-level evidence rather than as a generic substitute for Sky/Type S or Azure Blue.

Typical modeler callout:

• Documented RAF/Commonwealth subject specifically calling for Sky Blue -> SCA210.

Important distinction: SCA210 Sky Blue is not SCA209 Sky Type S, and it is not Azure Blue.

SCA211 - Middlestone

Historical identity: Middle Stone

Application type: Desert exterior camouflage

Period: WWII; later use where specified

Description: The light ochre/tan component of the familiar RAF desert camouflage system. It was paired with Dark Earth on upper surfaces of aircraft operating in North Africa, the Mediterranean and other appropriate overseas environments.

Primary schemes / applications:

• RAF desert camouflage: Dark Earth + Middle Stone. Azure Blue was a common lower-surface partner in the historical Desert Scheme.

Typical applications:

• Spitfire, Hurricane, Kittyhawk, Tomahawk, Baltimore, Blenheim and numerous RAF/Commonwealth aircraft in desert or Mediterranean service, depending upon aircraft and period.

Companion colors:

• SCA201 RAF Dark Earth

Typical modeler callout:

• RAF desert aircraft -> SCA201 Dark Earth + SCA211 Middlestone.

 

British Aircraft - Scheme Relationships

Scheme / application	Squadron Colors	Guidance
Early RAF / Temperate Land	SCA200 Dark Green + SCA201 Dark Earth	Underside varies by date; Sky becomes the key 1940-41 fighter underside.
1940-41 RAF fighter	SCA200 Dark Green + SCA201 Dark Earth + SCA209 Sky Type S	Use aircraft/date reference for transitional underside and marking anomalies.
Later RAF Day Fighter	SCA200 Dark Green + SCA202 Ocean Gray + SCA203 Medium Sea Gray	Sky may remain on spinner/fuselage band as an identification color.
RAF bomber	SCA200 Dark Green + SCA201 Dark Earth over Night	Lancaster is the cleanest core example.
FAA Temperate Sea	SCA204 Extra Dark Sea Gray + SCA206 Dark Slate Gray	Underside depends on date and role; Sky and White are important examples.
FAA biplane shadow compensation	SCA205 Dark Sea Gray + SCA207 Light Slate Gray	Use only where the individual aircraft carried the shadow-shaded treatment.
Early FAA / maritime underside	SCA208 Sky Gray	Subject/date specific.
RAF Desert	SCA201 Dark Earth + SCA211 Middlestone	Azure Blue commonly belongs beneath; do not substitute Sky Blue.
Documented Sky Blue application	SCA210 Sky Blue	Subject/reference driven; separate from Sky and Azure Blue.

 

 

4. German Aircraft Colors

SCA300-SCA315

Critical German-section rule: standardized colors did not produce standardized aircraft. Luftwaffe camouflage between 1941 and 1945 varied enormously in actual application. Manufacturer, factory, production batch, subcontracted assemblies, paint stocks, changing directives, repairs, depot work, field repainting, theater conditions and individual spraying technique could all affect the appearance of a finished aircraft. There are literally thousands of legitimate permutations. An RLM palette such as 74/75/76 identifies the principal historical colors associated with a scheme; it does not guarantee identical proportions, mottling, demarcations, wraparound, side coverage or component finish from one aircraft to the next. As the war progressed - especially during 1944-45 - transitional schemes and mixed applications became increasingly common. For the modeler, the RLM numbers establish the palette. Photographs, Werknummer, factory, date and aircraft-specific documentation establish how that palette was applied.

German Aircraft - Quick Reference

SKU	Product	Practical modeler application
SCA300	Luftwaffe RLM 74 Graugrun	Mid-war fighter dark grey/grey-green; normally with RLM 75 over RLM 76
SCA301	Luftwaffe RLM 75 Grauviolet	Mid-war fighter grey-violet; normally with RLM 74 over RLM 76
SCA302	Luftwaffe RLM 76 Lichtblau	Mid/late-war fighter lower-surface pale blue
SCA303	Luftwaffe RLM 80 Olivgrun	Tropical disruptive green used with RLM 79 over historical RLM 78
SCA304	Luftwaffe RLM 02 Grau	Interior/structural finish and selected early exterior camouflage
SCA305	Luftwaffe RLM 66 Dunkelgrau	Dark cockpit-visible/anti-glare interior finish
SCA306	Luftwaffe RLM 70 Black Green	Early dark green; with RLM 71 over RLM 65; also propeller application
SCA307	Luftwaffe RLM 71 Dark Green	Early green partner to RLM 70 over RLM 65
SCA308	Luftwaffe RLM 65 Light Blue	Early-war lower-surface light blue
SCA309	Luftwaffe RLM 79 Sand Brown	Tropical sand upper color; often with RLM 80 over historical RLM 78
SCA310	Luftwaffe RLM 04	Yellow identification/tactical marking color
SCA311	RLM 81 Braunviolet Legacy Interpretation	Traditional brown-violet hobby interpretation; pair with SCA313
SCA312	RLM 81 Dunkelgrun Modern Interpretation	Modern dark-green Squadron interpretation; pair with SCA314
SCA313	RLM 82 Lichtgrun Legacy Interpretation	Traditional lighter-green hobby interpretation; pair with SCA311
SCA314	RLM 82 Dunkelgrun Modern Interpretation	Modern darker-green Squadron interpretation; pair with SCA312
SCA315	RLM 83 Dunkelblau	Document-supported dark-blue RLM 83; not a generic late-war fighter green

 

 

Core Scheme Relationships

Scheme / application	Squadron relationship
Early green camouflage	SCA306 RLM 70 + SCA307 RLM 71 over SCA308 RLM 65
Mid-war fighter grey scheme	SCA300 RLM 74 + SCA301 RLM 75 over SCA302 RLM 76
Tropical camouflage	SCA309 RLM 79 + SCA303 RLM 80 over historical RLM 78
Legacy late-war interpretation	SCA311 RLM 81 Legacy + SCA313 RLM 82 Legacy
Modern late-war interpretation	SCA312 RLM 81 Modern + SCA314 RLM 82 Modern
Cockpit / interior	SCA304 RLM 02 and SCA305 RLM 66 according to location and period
Yellow identification markings	SCA310 RLM 04

 

SCA300 - Luftwaffe RLM 74 Graugrun

Historical designation / identity: RLM 74; contemporary 1941 regulation terminology: Dunkelgrau; familiar modeling name: Graugrun / grey-green

Application type: Upper-surface fighter camouflage

Period: Primarily 1941-44, with transitional use where documented

Description: RLM 74 was the darker component of the familiar mid-war fighter camouflage system. The November 1941 revision of L.Dv. 521/1 formalized RLM 74 and 75 on fighters and Zerstorer aircraft with RLM 76 below. Modern modeling literature commonly calls 74 Graugrun, while the period regulation used the simpler designation Dunkelgrau.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Mid-war fighter palette: RLM 74 + RLM 75 over RLM 76.

Typical applications:

• Bf 109F/G, Fw 190A, Bf 110 and other fighters/heavy fighters according to date, manufacturer and specific aircraft.
• Fuselage mottling and side application varied widely and should not be inferred from the RLM number alone.

Companion colors:

• SCA301 RLM 75 Grauviolet
• SCA302 RLM 76 Lichtblau

Typical modeler callout:

• Mid-war Luftwaffe fighter -> SCA300 + SCA301 over SCA302.

Transition note: RLM 74 was removed from general use during the 1944 camouflage transition, but mixed and transitional applications require aircraft-specific evidence.

SCA301 - Luftwaffe RLM 75 Grauviolet

Historical designation / identity: RLM 75; contemporary regulation terminology: Grau; familiar modeling name: Grauviolett / grey-violet

Application type: Upper-surface fighter camouflage

Period: Primarily 1941-45

Description: RLM 75 was the lighter grey component of the standard 74/75 fighter scheme. The contemporary 1941 regulation used the simple term Grau, while Grauviolett became the familiar descriptive name in later references and modeling literature.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Mid-war fighter palette: RLM 74 + RLM 75 over RLM 76.

Typical applications:

• Bf 109F/G, Fw 190A, Bf 110, Me 410 and other fighter/Zerstorer families depending upon production period.
• RLM 75 can also appear in transitional late-war finishes alongside newer colors; do not assume an abrupt fleet-wide change.

Companion colors:

• SCA300 RLM 74 Graugrun
• SCA302 RLM 76 Lichtblau

Typical modeler callout:

• 1941-44 Luftwaffe fighter grey camouflage -> SCA300 + SCA301 + SCA302.

SCA302 - Luftwaffe RLM 76 Lichtblau

Historical designation / identity: RLM 76; contemporary regulation terminology: Weissblau; familiar modeling name: Lichtblau

Application type: Lower-surface and fuselage-side camouflage

Period: From approximately 1941 through the end of the war

Description: RLM 76 was the pale blue lower-surface color associated with the RLM 74/75 fighter system. It commonly continued up the fuselage sides, where darker mottling, overspray or field variation could create very different appearances between aircraft.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• RLM 74 + RLM 75 over RLM 76.
• Late-war use alongside RLM 81/82 where documented.

Typical applications:

• Bf 109, Fw 190, Bf 110, Me 410, Me 262 and many other mid/late-war aircraft.

Companion colors:

• SCA300 RLM 74
• SCA301 RLM 75
• Late-war RLM 81/82 products when the subject supports that palette

Typical modeler callout:

• Mid/late-war Luftwaffe fighter underside -> SCA302.

Late-war caution: Not every pale late-war underside or fuselage color should automatically be called standard RLM 76. Late-war pale green-blue and poorly standardized finishes require subject-level evidence.

SCA303 - Luftwaffe RLM 80 Olivgrun

Historical designation / identity: RLM 80 Olivgrun

Application type: Tropical disruptive camouflage

Period: Primarily 1941-43

Description: RLM 80 was the olive-green disruptive color of the Luftwaffe tropical system. It was normally used with RLM 79 over RLM 78 rather than as a generic European fighter green.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Tropical palette: RLM 79 + RLM 80 over RLM 78.

Typical applications:

• Bf 109 Trop, Bf 110, Ju 87, Ju 88 and other North African/Mediterranean subjects where RLM 80 disruptive camouflage is documented.
• Application could range from patches and mottling to broader disruptive areas.

Companion colors:

• SCA309 RLM 79 Sand Brown

Typical modeler callout:

• Tropical Luftwaffe aircraft with green disruptive treatment over sand -> SCA309 + SCA303.

SCA304 - Luftwaffe RLM 02 Grau

Historical designation / identity: RLM 02 Grau

Application type: Interior/protective finish and selected exterior camouflage

Period: Prewar through WWII

Description: RLM 02 is one of the most widely encountered Luftwaffe colors. It was extensively used on internal structure and components and also appeared in selected exterior camouflage during the early-war transition period. It should not be reduced to a single-word description such as primer.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• General interior/structural applications according to manufacturer and period.
• Selected early-war exterior camouflage and transitional use.

Typical applications:

• Wheel wells, landing gear components, internal structure, engine/equipment areas and early cockpit areas where appropriate.
• Exterior disruptive use on documented early-war subjects.

Companion colors:

• SCA305 RLM 66 for cockpit-visible/anti-glare areas where specified

Typical modeler callout:

• Early Luftwaffe interior/structural color -> RLM 02 is a strong starting point, but verify the aircraft and production period.

Modeling note: Interior colors are especially manufacturer- and date-sensitive. Use RLM 02 as a historical color identity, not as a universal instruction to paint every internal surface the same color.

SCA305 - Luftwaffe RLM 66 Dunkelgrau

Historical designation / identity: RLM 66; very dark grey cockpit-visible finish

Application type: Cockpit and anti-glare interior finish

Period: WWII, especially mid- and late-war applications

Description: RLM 66 was the characteristic very dark grey used in visible cockpit areas to reduce glare. The 1941 paint instructions specify color 66 for areas visible through cockpit glazing while RLM 02 remained important elsewhere in the interior system.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Visible cockpit/crew areas where RLM 66 is specified.

Typical applications:

• Bf 109, Fw 190, Ju 88, He 111, Bf 110, Me 410, Me 262 and many other Luftwaffe aircraft depending upon production date.

Companion colors:

• SCA304 RLM 02 Grau

Typical modeler callout:

• Most mid/late-war Luftwaffe cockpit-visible areas -> SCA305 is the normal starting recommendation.

Early-aircraft caution: Earlier aircraft and factory practices can retain substantial RLM 02 in the cockpit. The 1941 regulation is not a magic date at which every aircraft immediately changed.

SCA306 - Luftwaffe RLM 70 Black Green

Historical designation / identity: RLM 70 Schwarzgrun / black green

Application type: Upper-surface camouflage and propeller finish

Period: Prewar through WWII

Description: RLM 70 was the very dark green component of the classic early Luftwaffe splinter system. It was paired with RLM 71 above RLM 65. The same color remained strongly associated with propeller blades even after camouflage policy moved toward later colors.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Early green palette: RLM 70 + RLM 71 over RLM 65.
• Propeller-blade application where specified.

Typical applications:

• He 111, Ju 88, Do 17, Ju 87, Ju 52 and many early Luftwaffe aircraft.
• Early fighters and transitional subjects where documentary or photographic evidence supports the 70/71 family.

Companion colors:

• SCA307 RLM 71 Dark Green
• SCA308 RLM 65 Light Blue

Typical modeler callout:

• Classic early-war bomber splinter camouflage -> SCA306 + SCA307 over SCA308.

SCA307 - Luftwaffe RLM 71 Dark Green

Historical designation / identity: RLM 71 Dunkelgrun

Application type: Upper-surface camouflage

Period: Prewar through much of WWII

Description: RLM 71 was the lighter partner to RLM 70 in the standard early green splinter camouflage. Bombers and transport aircraft retained the 70/71/65 system after fighters moved toward the 74/75/76 grey system.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• RLM 70 + RLM 71 over RLM 65.

Typical applications:

• He 111, Ju 88, Do 17, Ju 87, Ju 52 and many early-war bomber/transport/ground-attack subjects.
• Selected transitional fighter or field applications where documented.

Companion colors:

• SCA306 RLM 70 Black Green
• SCA308 RLM 65 Light Blue

Typical modeler callout:

• Early Luftwaffe two-green splinter camouflage -> SCA306 + SCA307.

SCA308 - Luftwaffe RLM 65 Light Blue

Historical designation / identity: RLM 65 Hellblau

Application type: Lower-surface camouflage

Period: Prewar through WWII, especially early/mid-war schemes

Description: RLM 65 was the standard light-blue underside color accompanying the early Luftwaffe green camouflage systems. It is historically distinct from later RLM 76 and tropical RLM 78.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• RLM 70 + RLM 71 over RLM 65.

Typical applications:

• Bf 109E and other early fighters, He 111, Ju 87, Ju 88, Do 17, Ju 52 and other early-war aircraft according to subject.

Companion colors:

• SCA306 RLM 70
• SCA307 RLM 71

Typical modeler callout:

• Early-war Luftwaffe light-blue underside -> SCA308.

Important distinction: RLM 65, RLM 76 and RLM 78 are separate historical colors with different scheme relationships. They should not be treated as interchangeable pale blues.

SCA309 - Luftwaffe RLM 79 Sand Brown

Historical designation / identity: RLM 79; Sandgelb / Sandbraun descriptions occur in the historical record

Application type: Tropical upper-surface camouflage

Period: Primarily 1941-43

Description: RLM 79 was the principal sand-colored upper-surface finish of the Luftwaffe tropical system. Historical material supports meaningful variation from a lighter/yellower sand appearance toward a browner interpretation, so one product name should not be read as proof that every RLM 79 aircraft appeared identical.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• RLM 79 + RLM 80 over RLM 78.

Typical applications:

• Bf 109E/F/G Trop, Ju 87, Ju 88, Bf 110 and other Mediterranean/North African aircraft according to date and unit.

Companion colors:

• SCA303 RLM 80 Olivgrun

Typical modeler callout:

• North African Luftwaffe sand camouflage -> SCA309, adding SCA303 where RLM 80 disruptive treatment is documented.

Variation note: Treat RLM 79 as a historical color family with documented variation, not as evidence that every tropical aircraft should be painted one identical modern chip.

SCA310 - Luftwaffe RLM 04

Historical designation / identity: RLM 04 Gelb

Application type: Identification, tactical and high-visibility markings

Period: Prewar through WWII

Description: RLM 04 was the Luftwaffe yellow marking color. It was used widely for identification and tactical markings rather than as a normal camouflage base color.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Yellow recognition and tactical markings.

Typical applications:

• Engine cowlings or lower cowlings, rudders, wingtips, fuselage bands, tactical numbers and other high-visibility identification areas when documented.

Typical modeler callout:

• Luftwaffe yellow recognition marking -> SCA310 RLM 04.

Squadron product metadata: #FFC420; RGB 255/196/32; FS reference 13507. These values describe the Squadron product/reference representation, not the historical definition of RLM 04.

Late-War RLM 81/82/83 - Interpretation and Provenance

Legacy and Modern Interpretations Some late-war Luftwaffe colors were represented for decades in books, kit instructions, restorations, profiles and hobby paint ranges using interpretations that later documentary and physical research has challenged. That older visual language remains deeply familiar to many modelers. A historically newer interpretation can therefore look "wrong" simply because the eye has been conditioned by decades of older references. Squadron provides both Legacy and Modern Interpretation versions of RLM 81 and RLM 82. These are not two separate official RLM standards. They are two modeling interpretations of the same historical designations. The Legacy products preserve the familiar traditional appearance; the Modern products provide Squadron's contemporary interpretation informed by later research.

Pairing recommendation Use one interpretive system consistently unless strong aircraft-specific evidence gives a reason to do otherwise. Legacy pair: SCA311 RLM 81 Braunviolet Legacy + SCA313 RLM 82 Lichtgrun Legacy. Modern pair: SCA312 RLM 81 Dunkelgrun Modern + SCA314 RLM 82 Dunkelgrun Modern. Mixing a Legacy interpretation of one color with a Modern interpretation of the other is generally not recommended, because the resulting combination reflects neither interpretive framework cleanly.

SCA311 - Luftwaffe RLM 81 Braunviolet Legacy Interpretation

Historical designation / identity: RLM 81; Squadron Legacy interpretation: Braunviolet

Application type: Late-war upper-surface camouflage

Period: Primarily 1944-45

Description: SCA311 preserves the brown-violet/olive-brown appearance long associated in the modeling hobby with RLM 81. The historical term Braunviolett itself has documentary provenance in Messerschmitt material, while other manufacturers described the same RLM number differently. What makes this product Legacy is the familiar hobby interpretation of the color, not the mere existence of the word Braunviolett.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Legacy late-war pair: SCA311 RLM 81 + SCA313 RLM 82.

Typical applications:

• Bf 109, Fw 190D, Ta 152, Me 262, He 162, Do 335 and other late-war subjects only where RLM 81 is appropriate to the production period and aircraft.

Companion colors:

• SCA313 RLM 82 Lichtgrun Legacy Interpretation

Typical modeler callout:

• Choose SCA311 when following the traditional brown-violet interpretation or an older reference/profile built around that visual convention.

Interpretation note: Do not present SCA311 and SCA312 as two separate historical RLM 81 standards. They are alternate Squadron modeling interpretations of one historical designation.

SCA312 - Luftwaffe RLM 81 Dunkelgrun Modern Interpretation

Historical designation / identity: RLM 81; Squadron Modern interpretation: Dunkelgrun

Application type: Late-war upper-surface camouflage

Period: Primarily 1944-45

Description: SCA312 represents Squadron's modern dark-green interpretation of RLM 81. Surviving manufacturer documentation describes RLM 81 with different color names, including Braunviolett, Olivbraun and Dunkelgrun. This is evidence of the difficulty of treating the late-war numbers as perfectly uniform modern chips.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Modern late-war pair: SCA312 RLM 81 + SCA314 RLM 82.

Typical applications:

• Late-war fighter, jet and interceptor subjects where RLM 81 is supported by aircraft-specific or production-period evidence.

Companion colors:

• SCA314 RLM 82 Dunkelgrun Modern Interpretation

Typical modeler callout:

• Choose SCA312 when following Squadron's modern dark-green interpretation or research that supports a strongly green RLM 81 appearance.

Interpretation note: The modern product is an evidence-informed modeling interpretation, not a claim that every historical batch of RLM 81 was an identical dark green.

SCA313 - Luftwaffe RLM 82 Lichtgrun Legacy Interpretation

Historical designation / identity: RLM 82; Squadron Legacy interpretation: Lichtgrun / light green

Application type: Late-war upper-surface camouflage

Period: Primarily 1944-45

Description: SCA313 preserves the familiar lighter/bright-green RLM 82 appearance long established in modeling references. Historical manufacturer records include Hellgrun descriptions for RLM 82, but late-war documentation does not support a single perfectly uniform visual interpretation across all manufacturers and batches.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Legacy late-war pair: SCA311 RLM 81 + SCA313 RLM 82.

Typical applications:

• Late-war Bf 109, Fw 190D, Ta 152, Me 262, He 162 and related subjects when using the traditional brown-and-lighter-green interpretation.

Companion colors:

• SCA311 RLM 81 Braunviolet Legacy Interpretation

Typical modeler callout:

• Choose SCA313 when reproducing the traditional high-contrast late-war brown/green appearance.

SCA314 - Luftwaffe RLM 82 Dunkelgrun Modern Interpretation

Historical designation / identity: RLM 82; Squadron Modern interpretation: darker green

Application type: Late-war upper-surface camouflage

Period: Primarily 1944-45

Description: SCA314 is Squadron's modern darker-green interpretation of RLM 82. Surviving late-war manufacturer documents show that color-name usage was not consistent; Dornier documentation, for example, could describe both 81 and 82 as Dunkelgrun even though other manufacturers used different descriptive names.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Modern late-war pair: SCA312 RLM 81 + SCA314 RLM 82.

Typical applications:

• Late-war subjects where RLM 81/82 camouflage is appropriate and the modeler wishes to follow the Squadron modern interpretive set.

Companion colors:

• SCA312 RLM 81 Dunkelgrun Modern Interpretation

Typical modeler callout:

• Use SCA314 with SCA312 as the internally consistent Modern interpretation pair.

SCA315 - Luftwaffe RLM 83 Dunkelblau

Historical designation / identity: RLM 83; document-supported interpretation: Dunkelblau / Dark Blue

Application type: Experimental/specialized Mediterranean camouflage; operational use subject-specific

Period: Developed in 1943; wartime implementation and extent remain subject-specific

Description: For decades, the modeling community commonly treated RLM 83 as a late-war dark green. Research published by Michael Ullmann brought forward primary documentation from Test Order E2-45/31 describing the development of a dark-blue Mediterranean camouflage color and identifying it as RLM 83. This changes the database logic fundamentally: a dark green called "RLM 83" in an older reference should not automatically map to SCA315.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Documented development context: dark-blue RLM 83 proposed for Mediterranean camouflage, including combinations with RLM 72 for sea aircraft and RLM 70 for land aircraft.

Typical applications:

• Use only when the subject or research specifically supports the dark-blue RLM 83 interpretation.
• Do not make SCA315 a generic recommendation for late-war Bf 109, Fw 190, Me 262 or other fighters solely because an older source labels a dark green as RLM 83.

Typical modeler callout:

• Older profile says "RLM 83 dark green" -> do not automatically recommend SCA315; investigate whether the color is better understood as an RLM 81 variation.

Operational caution: The documentary identity of RLM 83 as dark blue is stronger than our ability to assign that color confidently to large numbers of individual operational aircraft.

 

5. Russian / Soviet Aircraft Colors

SCA400-SCA406 and SCA800-SCA806

Core Soviet modeling rule: preserve the chemistry, simplify the color where the model does not benefit from the distinction. AMT nitrocellulose lacquers and the corresponding A-series oil enamels were different paint systems intended for different substrates. They are not chemically identical paints and their historical designations must remain distinct in the database. However, Tessitori identifies the A-series paints as equivalents of their corresponding AMT colors and notes that they used the same pigments. The different medium could shift the appearance, especially in lighter colors, but the paired paints were intended to occupy the same camouflage-color role. For the modeler, Squadron should therefore recommend one practical color across an AMT/A-series equivalent pair unless reliable evidence shows a visual difference large enough to matter on the finished model. This avoids turning a substrate/chemistry distinction into unnecessary product permutations.

Russian / Soviet Aircraft - Quick Reference

SKU	Product	Practical modeler application
SCA400	Flanker Bright Blue	Legacy classic Su-27-family camouflage blue
SCA401	Flanker Light Blue-Gray	Legacy classic Su-27-family light blue-gray camouflage
SCA402	Flanker Radome White	White Flanker radome / dielectric finish
SCA403	Flanker Interior Red	Red inner door / airbrake / selected internal surfaces on Flankers
SCA404	Flanker Radome Green	Early Flanker green radome / dielectric finish
SCA405	Sukhoi Cockpit Green	Flanker cockpit color; broader Sukhoi use only where documented
SCA406	Flanker Dark Blue-Gray	Legacy classic Su-27-family dark blue-gray camouflage
SCA800	Russian AMT-4 Camo Green (41-43)	WWII VVS camouflage green; practical equivalent for A-24m
SCA801	Russian A-26m Black (41-43)	WWII VVS camouflage black; practical equivalent for AMT-6
SCA802	Russian AMT-11 Blue Gray (43-45)	Late-war fighter blue-gray; A-33m substitution only with caveat
SCA803	Russian AMT-12 Dark Gray (43-45)	Late-war dark gray; practical equivalent for A-32m
SCA804	Russian AMT-7 Blue Gray (41-45)	WWII underside blue; practical equivalent for A-28m
SCA805	Russian AMT-11 FADED	Documented faded appearance of AMT-11; modeling variant
SCA806	Russian AMT-12 FADED	Documented faded appearance of AMT-12; modeling variant

 

WWII VVS Modeling Equivalence Map

Historical requirement	Squadron recommendation	Confidence / note
AMT-4 Green	SCA800	Direct product identity
A-24m Green	SCA800 AMT-4	High-confidence practical equivalent; preserve A-24m as historical designation
AMT-6 Black	SCA801 A-26m	High-confidence practical equivalent; preserve AMT-6 as historical designation
A-26m Black	SCA801	Direct product identity
AMT-7 Greyish Blue	SCA804	Direct product identity
A-28m Greyish Blue	SCA804 AMT-7	High-confidence practical equivalent; A-28m can show a more yellow/green cast, especially in aged samples
AMT-12 Dark Grey	SCA803	Direct product identity
A-32m Dark Grey	SCA803 AMT-12	High-confidence practical equivalent
AMT-11 Blue-Grey	SCA802	Direct product identity
A-33m Blue-Grey	SCA802 AMT-11	Conditional substitute only; Tessitori documents A-33m as darker than AMT-11

 

SCA400-Series - Legacy Flanker Family

Scope rule. These products were developed as a Flanker set. Keep the section focused on Su-27-family aircraft and derivatives. Do not use the set as a generic source of Soviet/Russian blues, greys or cockpit colors for unrelated aircraft. Later Flanker derivatives and repaints can differ substantially; use aircraft-specific references when the classic legacy palette is not evident.

SCA400 - Flanker Bright Blue

Historical designation / identity: Legacy Squadron Flanker camouflage blue; product-family color rather than a universal Soviet standard

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Late Cold War and later service on aircraft retaining the classic legacy Flanker appearance

Description: SCA400 is the bright-blue component of Squadron's classic three-color Flanker family. It should be treated as part of an integrated Su-27 legacy palette rather than as a stand-alone generic Russian blue.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Classic legacy Flanker camouflage: SCA400 + SCA401 + SCA406.

Typical applications:

• Su-27S, Su-27P and Su-27UB/UP aircraft wearing the familiar classic blue/blue-gray scheme.
• Related Flanker derivatives only when photographs or reliable references show a compatible legacy palette.

Companion colors:

• SCA401 Flanker Light Blue-Gray
• SCA406 Flanker Dark Blue-Gray

Typical modeler callout:

• Classic Soviet/Russian Su-27-family three-color camouflage -> SCA400 + SCA401 + SCA406.

Use note: Do not automatically carry SCA400 forward to later Su-27SM, Su-30, Su-33 or Su-35 schemes unless the individual aircraft matches the legacy color family.

SCA401 - Flanker Light Blue-Gray

Historical designation / identity: Legacy Squadron Flanker light blue-gray camouflage color

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Late Cold War and later service on aircraft retaining the classic legacy Flanker appearance

Description: SCA401 represents the lighter blue-gray member of the original Squadron Flanker camouflage set. Together with SCA400 and SCA406, it recreates the familiar classic Su-27 family appearance.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Classic legacy Flanker camouflage: SCA400 + SCA401 + SCA406.

Typical applications:

• Su-27S, Su-27P and Su-27UB/UP in the classic blue/blue-gray pattern.
• Other Flanker-family aircraft only when the individual scheme supports the same legacy palette.

Companion colors:

• SCA400 Flanker Bright Blue
• SCA406 Flanker Dark Blue-Gray

Typical modeler callout:

• Classic Flanker upper camouflage -> use with SCA400 and SCA406.

SCA402 - Flanker Radome White

Historical designation / identity: White radio-transparent/dielectric finish used on Su-27-family aircraft

Application type: Radome and dielectric surfaces

Period: Late Cold War through later Flanker service, aircraft-specific

Description: SCA402 represents the white finish seen on Flanker radomes and other radio-transparent panels. White gradually appears in place of the earlier green dielectric finish on later production and service aircraft, and mixed white/green combinations are possible.

Typical applications:

• Su-27S/P/UB and related Flanker variants where the nose radome or dielectric panels are visibly white.
• Aircraft-specific replacement radomes and mixed dielectric finishes where photographs support them.

Companion colors:

• SCA404 Flanker Radome Green as the alternate legacy dielectric color

Typical modeler callout:

• White Flanker nose cone or dielectric panel -> SCA402.

Use note: Radome color is aircraft- and period-specific. Use photographs whenever possible rather than assigning white solely from variant name.

SCA403 - Flanker Interior Red

Historical designation / identity: High-visibility red used on selected Su-27-family internal surfaces

Application type: Interior faces of doors, airbrake and selected detail surfaces

Period: Su-27-family service life, subject-specific

Description: SCA403 represents the distinctive red visible on selected open Flanker surfaces, especially inner door faces and the dorsal airbrake. It is a detail color for the Flanker family, not a generic Soviet interior-red standard.

Typical applications:

• Inner landing-gear door faces where shown red.
• Dorsal airbrake interior.
• Selected access doors or internal faces when confirmed by the individual aircraft.

Typical modeler callout:

• Open Flanker airbrake or red inner door surfaces -> SCA403.

SCA404 - Flanker Radome Green

Historical designation / identity: Green radio-transparent/dielectric finish associated especially with early Su-27-family aircraft

Application type: Radome and dielectric surfaces

Period: Especially early classic Flankers; continued selectively later

Description: SCA404 represents the characteristic green dielectric finish strongly associated with early Su-27-family aircraft. On later aircraft, green may coexist with a white nose radome or be replaced by white on multiple dielectric panels.

Typical applications:

• Early Su-27S, Su-27P and Su-27UB/UP nose radomes and dielectric panels where photographs show green.
• Other Flanker-family dielectric surfaces when the same green finish is documented.

Companion colors:

• SCA402 Flanker Radome White

Typical modeler callout:

• Early green Flanker nose cone/dielectric panel -> SCA404.

Use note: Treat green versus white as an aircraft-specific feature, not as a rigid type rule.

SCA405 - Sukhoi Cockpit Green

Historical designation / identity: Squadron Sukhoi cockpit blue-green / blue-gray family color; Flanker-focused in this section

Application type: Cockpit interior

Period: Cold War through modern Sukhoi service, subject-specific

Description: SCA405 was released in the Flanker set and is the cockpit color for this family. Sukhoi used a cockpit color family distinct from the very bright turquoise popularly associated with many other Soviet aircraft. The Flanker remains the primary application here; broader Sukhoi use should be offered only where the specific aircraft supports the same muted blue-green/blue-gray cockpit family.

Typical applications:

• Su-27S/P/UB and related Flanker cockpits.
• Other Sukhoi aircraft only when documented as using the same Sukhoi cockpit-color family.

Typical modeler callout:

• Flanker cockpit -> SCA405 unless aircraft-specific evidence shows a different repaint or panel treatment.

Use note: This is the one SCA400-series product that can legitimately extend beyond the Flanker family, but the AI should still require a documented Sukhoi application rather than treating it as a universal Soviet cockpit color.

SCA406 - Flanker Dark Blue-Gray

Historical designation / identity: Legacy Squadron Flanker dark blue-gray camouflage color

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Late Cold War and later service on aircraft retaining the classic legacy Flanker appearance

Description: SCA406 is the darkest member of the original Squadron Flanker camouflage set and completes the classic three-color Su-27 palette with SCA400 and SCA401.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Classic legacy Flanker camouflage: SCA400 + SCA401 + SCA406.

Typical applications:

• Su-27S, Su-27P and Su-27UB/UP in the classic three-color blue/blue-gray camouflage.
• Related Flanker derivatives only when the individual aircraft retains a compatible legacy palette.

Companion colors:

• SCA400 Flanker Bright Blue
• SCA401 Flanker Light Blue-Gray

Typical modeler callout:

• Classic Su-27-family three-color camouflage -> SCA400 + SCA401 + SCA406.

SCA800-Series - WWII VVS Colors

Chronology rule. The commercial date ranges are useful shorthand, not hard cutoffs. Soviet directives applied to new production and repair work and did not instantly repaint every operational aircraft. Transitional and older schemes therefore overlap the formal dates. Aircraft construction material also determined which paint chemistry was specified, but the modeling-equivalence rule above prevents that chemistry distinction from generating needless duplicate color recommendations.

SCA800 - Russian AMT-4 Camo Green (41-43)

Historical designation / identity: AMT-4 matt camouflage green; practical modeling equivalent for A-24m green

Application type: Upper-surface camouflage

Period: Introduced in the 1941 wartime system; best known in the 1941-43 black/green scheme, with continued later use where prescribed

Description: AMT-4 was the principal green nitrocellulose lacquer of the 1941 Soviet black-and-green camouflage system for mixed-construction aircraft. Its all-metal oil-enamel counterpart was A-24m, which Tessitori identifies as equivalent in intended color role.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• 1941-43 mixed-construction scheme: AMT-4 + AMT-6 over AMT-7.
• All-metal counterpart: A-24m + A-26m over A-28m.
• Later non-fighter three-color camouflage could retain AMT-4 with AMT-1 and AMT-12.

Typical applications:

• Yak-1/7/9, LaGG-3, early La-5, MiG-3, Il-2, Su-2, U-2/Po-2 and other mixed-construction aircraft where AMT-4 is specified.
• All-metal subjects calling for A-24m may normally use SCA800 as the practical Squadron recommendation.

Companion colors:

• SCA801 as the practical black component
• SCA804 AMT-7 for undersides
• SCA803 AMT-12 in later three-color non-fighter camouflage

Typical modeler callout:

• AMT-4 required -> SCA800.
• A-24m required -> SCA800 with the historical designation preserved.

Date note: The product name says 41-43 because that is the classic black/green period. Do not interpret 1943 as an absolute disappearance date for AMT-4.

SCA801 - Russian A-26m Black (41-43)

Historical designation / identity: A-26m matt black oil enamel; practical modeling equivalent for AMT-6 black

Application type: Upper-surface camouflage black and related black applications

Period: Introduced in the 1941 wartime system; best known in the 1941-43 black/green scheme

Description: A-26m was the oil-enamel black specified for all-metal aircraft, while AMT-6 was the corresponding nitrocellulose black for mixed construction. Tessitori identifies A-26m as equivalent to AMT-6. For scale-modeling purposes, SCA801 should normally serve both designations unless a subject-specific finish requires a meaningful visual distinction.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• All-metal 1941-43 scheme: A-24m + A-26m over A-28m.
• Mixed-construction 1941-43 scheme: AMT-4 + AMT-6 over AMT-7.

Typical applications:

• All-metal aircraft requiring A-26m.
• Mixed-construction aircraft requiring AMT-6, using SCA801 as the practical Squadron black while preserving AMT-6 in the historical record.

Companion colors:

• SCA800 AMT-4 / A-24m practical green
• SCA804 AMT-7 / A-28m practical underside blue

Typical modeler callout:

• A-26m required -> SCA801.
• AMT-6 required -> SCA801 as the practical Squadron equivalent.

SCA802 - Russian AMT-11 Blue Gray (43-45)

Historical designation / identity: AMT-11 matt blue-grey; late-war Soviet fighter camouflage color

Application type: Upper-surface fighter camouflage

Period: Officially introduced in the 1943 fighter system and used through the end of the war

Description: AMT-11 was the blue-grey component of the late-war grey/grey fighter system. The July 3, 1943 directive specified greyish blue and dark grey for fighter upper and side surfaces, with AMT-7 below. Implementation was gradual because the directive applied to new aircraft and aircraft in repair rather than requiring immediate repainting of every operational fighter.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Late-war fighter scheme: AMT-11 + AMT-12 over AMT-7.

Typical applications:

• Late Yak-1b, Yak-3, Yak-9, late LaGG-3, La-5F/FN, La-7 and other fighters documented in the 1943 grey/grey system.

Companion colors:

• SCA803 AMT-12 Dark Gray
• SCA804 AMT-7 Blue Gray
• SCA805 AMT-11 Faded for documented weathered appearance

Typical modeler callout:

• Late-war Soviet fighter grey/grey camouflage -> SCA802 + SCA803 over SCA804.

A-33m caution: A-33m is the all-metal blue-grey counterpart in the later system, but Tessitori documents it as darker than AMT-11. SCA802 may be offered as a practical substitute only with that caveat, not as an unrestricted identity match.

SCA803 - Russian AMT-12 Dark Gray (43-45)

Historical designation / identity: AMT-12 matt dark grey; practical modeling equivalent for A-32m dark grey

Application type: Upper-surface camouflage

Period: Officially introduced in the 1943 system and used through the end of the war

Description: AMT-12 was the dark-grey partner to AMT-11 in the late-war fighter scheme and also appeared in the three-color camouflage prescribed for mixed-construction non-fighter aircraft. A-32m was the corresponding oil-enamel dark grey for all-metal applications.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• Fighter scheme: AMT-11 + AMT-12 over AMT-7.
• Later mixed-construction non-fighter scheme: AMT-1 + AMT-4 + AMT-12 over AMT-7.
• All-metal counterpart uses A-32m in the corresponding dark-grey role.

Typical applications:

• Yak and Lavochkin fighters in the grey/grey system.
• Il-2, Po-2, UT-2, Yak-6 and other mixed-construction non-fighters where AMT-12 is documented.
• All-metal aircraft calling for A-32m may normally use SCA803 as the practical Squadron recommendation.

Companion colors:

• SCA802 AMT-11
• SCA804 AMT-7
• SCA806 AMT-12 Faded

Typical modeler callout:

• AMT-12 required -> SCA803.
• A-32m required -> SCA803 with A-32m preserved as the historical designation.

SCA804 - Russian AMT-7 Blue Gray (41-45)

Historical designation / identity: AMT-7 matt greyish blue underside lacquer; practical modeling equivalent for A-28m oil-enamel greyish blue

Application type: Lower-surface camouflage

Period: 1941 through the end of the war, with continued use in multiple camouflage systems

Description: AMT-7 was the principal wartime greyish-blue underside lacquer for mixed-construction Soviet aircraft. A-28m filled the equivalent underside role on all-metal aircraft. Tessitori identifies A-28m as equivalent to AMT-7, while also noting that the oil medium could make the lighter A-28m appearance more yellowish or greenish, especially in aged samples.

Primary schemes / relationships:

• 1941-43: AMT-4 + AMT-6 over AMT-7.
• 1943-45 fighters: AMT-11 + AMT-12 over AMT-7.
• Later non-fighter camouflage: AMT-1 + AMT-4 + AMT-12 over AMT-7.
• All-metal counterpart: A-28m.

Typical applications:

• Undersides of Yaks, Lavochkins, LaGG-3, MiG-3, Il-2, Su-2, U-2/Po-2 and many other mixed-construction types.
• All-metal subjects calling for A-28m may normally use SCA804 with high confidence as the practical Squadron substitute.

Companion colors:

• SCA800/SCA801 for the early black-green system
• SCA802/SCA803 for the late fighter grey-grey system

Typical modeler callout:

• AMT-7 required -> SCA804.
• A-28m required -> SCA804 as the normal Squadron recommendation.

Visual caveat: A-28m can show a more yellow/green cast than AMT-7. Treat this as a subject-specific refinement rather than a reason to require a second bottle for ordinary modeling.

SCA805 - Russian AMT-11 FADED

Historical designation / identity: Modeling representation of the documented faded appearance of AMT-11; not a separate Soviet paint standard

Application type: Weathering / tonal variation

Period: Late-war aircraft carrying AMT-11

Description: SCA805 represents the lighter service appearance produced as AMT-11 weathered. Tessitori specifically notes that AMT-11 was very prone to fading and that fresh repainting could appear much darker than surrounding original camouflage.

Typical applications:

• Faded panels and exposed areas on Yak-3, Yak-9, La-5FN, La-7 and other aircraft carrying AMT-11.
• Aircraft-specific tonal variation where period photography supports a strongly faded finish.

Companion colors:

• SCA802 AMT-11 as the historical base color
• SCA806 AMT-12 Faded where both grey camouflage colors have weathered

Typical modeler callout:

• Official color question -> recommend SCA802 first. Weathered/faded appearance -> add or substitute SCA805 as appropriate.

Status meaning: SCA805 is historically supported as an appearance, not as an independent Soviet specification.

SCA806 - Russian AMT-12 FADED

Historical designation / identity: Modeling representation of the documented faded appearance of AMT-12; not a separate Soviet paint standard

Application type: Weathering / tonal variation

Period: Late-war aircraft carrying AMT-12

Description: SCA806 represents the lighter service appearance of weathered AMT-12. Wartime photographs and Tessitori's synthesis show that AMT-12 could fade strongly, sometimes reducing the contrast of the grey/grey camouflage and making fresh repairs visibly darker.

Typical applications:

• Faded panels and exposed areas on Yak-3, Yak-9, La-5FN, La-7 and other aircraft carrying AMT-12.
• Late-war non-fighter applications where AMT-12 is present and subject photography shows substantial weathering.

Companion colors:

• SCA803 AMT-12 as the historical base color
• SCA805 AMT-11 Faded

Typical modeler callout:

• Official color question -> recommend SCA803 first. Weathered/faded appearance -> add or substitute SCA806 as appropriate.

Status meaning: SCA806 is historically supported as an appearance, not as an independent Soviet specification.

 

Core Scheme Relationships

Scheme / application	Squadron relationship
Classic legacy Flanker	SCA400 + SCA401 + SCA406; radome/dielectric SCA402 or SCA404 according to the aircraft; cockpit SCA405; selected open internal faces SCA403
1941-43 mixed-construction black/green	SCA800 AMT-4 + historical AMT-6 (practical Squadron black: SCA801) over SCA804 AMT-7
1941-43 all-metal black/green	A-24m + SCA801 A-26m over A-28m; practical Squadron recommendations: SCA800 + SCA801 over SCA804
1943-45 fighter grey/grey	SCA802 AMT-11 + SCA803 AMT-12 over SCA804 AMT-7
Later mixed-construction non-fighter three-color	Historical AMT-1 + SCA800 AMT-4 + SCA803 AMT-12 over SCA804 AMT-7
Aged late-war fighter camouflage	Base SCA802/SCA803 with SCA805/SCA806 for documented faded appearance

 

 

6. Italian Aircraft Colors

SCA500-SCA515

Italian Camouflage Framework

Serie Mimetica, approximately 1938-1941. The Regia Aeronautica standardized camouflage concepts and patterns before it standardized a single universal set of paint hues. Suppliers produced their own Giallo Mimetico, Verde Mimetico and Marrone/Bruno Mimetico colors. The familiar numeric suffixes such as Giallo Mimetico 1-4 are modern CMPR identifiers used to distinguish supplier-specific colors; they were not normally wartime paint names printed that way in each supplier catalog.

Tavola 10, from 1941. The July 1941 standardization introduced a controlled color system distributed by reference chips and also standardized camouflage application. For the current Squadron range the central Tavola 10 colors are Verde Oliva Scuro 2, Nocciola Chiaro 4 and Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1.

Transition rule. The 1941 directive did not erase earlier colors overnight. Remaining stocks of the old colors were specifically to be used up on production lines and in repair shops. Aircraft built or repainted during the transition can therefore legitimately retain earlier colors after the formal introduction of Tavola 10.

Manufacturer rule. During the Serie Mimetica period, manufacturer and paint supplier are often more useful than a generic aircraft-type rule. Aircraft-specific documentation, production batch, date, factory and surviving photographs should override a broad palette recommendation when available.

Interior rule. Italian interiors were not uniformly one green. Verde Anticorrosione varied by supplier and manufacturer; some Reggiane components used distinctly different gray-green and grass-green shades, SIAI S.79 interiors were commonly gray, and after Tavola 10 new or refurbished interiors could be finished in Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 over the anticorrosion layer.

Italian Aircraft - Quick Reference

SKU	Commercial product	Primary modeler application
SCA500	Italian Giallo Mimetico 1	Serie Mimetica yellow; Inves / early FIAT association
SCA501	Italian Giallo Mimetico 2	Serie Mimetica yellow; Masciadri / Piaggio association
SCA502	Italian Giallo Mimetico 3	Widespread Arson-Sisi Serie Mimetica yellow
SCA503	Italian Giallo Mimetico 4	Max-Mayer yellow; Macchi/Aermacchi and selected others
SCA504	Italian Verde Mimetico 1	Inves green; early FIAT association
SCA505	Italian Verde Mimetico 2	Max-Mayer green; Macchi/Piaggio and selected Reggiane use
SCA506	Italian Verde Mimetico 3	Masciadri green; Breda/Caproni/FIAT/IMAM
SCA507	Italian Marrone Mimetico 1	Inves brown; FIAT/SIAI association
SCA508	Italian Marrone Mimetico 2	Masciadri brown; broad multi-manufacturer use
SCA509	Italian Bruno Mimetico	Arson-Sisi dark brown; broad Serie Mimetica use
SCA510	Italian Verde Oliva Scuro	Historical target: Verde Oliva Scuro 2; Tavola 10 dark olive green
SCA511	Italian Nocciola Chiaro 4	Tavola 10 light hazel/desert color
SCA512	Italian Grigio Azzuro Chiaro Early	Squadron early/pre-standardization light blue-gray modeling category
SCA513	Italian Grigio Azzuro Chiaro Late	Historical target: Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1; Tavola 10 standard
SCA514	Italian Interior Green 1	Common pale gray-green Verde Anticorrosione family
SCA515	Italian Interior Green 2	Greener/grass-green anticorrosion/interior variation

 

Serie Mimetica Manufacturer / Supplier Map

Use. This table is a starting map, not a rigid aircraft-by-aircraft prescription. It summarizes the principal supplier/manufacturer relationships recorded by STORMO! and the CMPR/VITO research. Individual aircraft and production periods can vary.

Manufacturer / family	Documented Serie Mimetica relationships in current Squadron range	Notes
FIAT - early CR.32 / first G.50 batch	SCA500 + SCA504 + SCA507	Inves family; classic early FIAT relationship
FIAT - later G.50 / CR.42	SCA502 + SCA506 + SCA508	Arson-Sisi / Masciadri combinations documented for later production
Macchi / Aermacchi	SCA503 + SCA505 + SCA509	C.200 and early C.202 commonly associated with Giallo Mimetico 4, Verde Mimetico 2 and Bruno Mimetico; Verde Mimetico 53192 can also appear but has no current SKU
Piaggio	SCA501 + SCA505 + SCA508 / SCA509	Masciadri and Max-Mayer relationships; verify the individual aircraft
Breda	SCA502 + SCA506 + SCA509	Especially useful for Breda 65/88 context; pattern and underside still aircraft/date dependent
IMAM	SCA502 + SCA506 + SCA508 / SCA509	Broad documented use
Reggiane	SCA502 / SCA503 + SCA505 + SCA507 / SCA508	Re.2000 examples include SCA508 and SCA504 over a SCA502-type base; verify subtype and batch
SIAI	SCA502 + SCA507 / SCA508	SIAI also used Verde Mimetico 53192 and Marrone Mimetico 53193, which are historical database nodes without current Squadron SKUs

 

No forced substitute for catalog gaps The current aircraft range does not include dedicated products for every documented Italian color, including Verde Mimetico 53192, Marrone Mimetico 53193, Grigio Mimetico and Grigio Azzurro Scuro 3. Preserve those historical colors as separate database nodes. Do not silently force a current SKU into their place unless a documented practical-substitution rule is later established.

SCA500-SCA509 - Serie Mimetica Product Records

SCA500 - Italian Giallo Mimetico 1

Historical designation / identity: Giallo Mimetico 1 - modern CMPR identifier for the Inves-produced Giallo Mimetico family

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Primarily Serie Mimetica era, late 1930s to early WWII

Modern comparison: STORMO current guide: approximately FS 33531 (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA500 represents the Inves yellow associated most strongly with early FIAT camouflage. The numeral is a modern research identifier used to separate supplier-specific hues; wartime documentation normally treated the family simply as Giallo Mimetico.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Early FIAT CR.32 mottled camouflage.
• First production batch FIAT G.50 with the early Inves family.

Companion colors:

• SCA504 Verde Mimetico 1
• SCA507 Marrone Mimetico 1

Typical modeler callout:

• Early FIAT Serie Mimetica palette -> SCA500 + SCA504 + SCA507.

Use note: Do not treat Giallo Mimetico 1 as the universal Italian camouflage yellow.

SCA501 - Italian Giallo Mimetico 2

Historical designation / identity: Giallo Mimetico 2 - modern CMPR identifier for the Masciadri-produced Giallo Mimetico family

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Serie Mimetica era

Modern comparison: STORMO current guide: approximately FS 33481 (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA501 represents the Masciadri yellow associated particularly with Piaggio production. It is one supplier interpretation within the pre-Tavola 10 Giallo Mimetico family.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Piaggio aircraft where the Masciadri palette is documented.

Companion colors:

• SCA505 Verde Mimetico 2
• SCA508 Marrone Mimetico 2
• SCA509 Bruno Mimetico when documented

Typical modeler callout:

• Piaggio subject calling for Giallo Mimetico 2 -> SCA501.

Use note: Use manufacturer and aircraft-specific evidence rather than selecting it merely because the aircraft is Italian.

SCA502 - Italian Giallo Mimetico 3

Historical designation / identity: Giallo Mimetico 3 - Arson-Sisi Giallo Mimetico family; often associated in later research with the 53194 catalog identity

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Serie Mimetica era

Modern comparison: STORMO current guide: approximately FS 33434 (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA502 is the most broadly distributed yellow in the current Serie Mimetica range. STORMO! associates it with Breda, Caproni, CRDA, FIAT, IMAM and SIAI, with additional Reggiane evidence in the VITO/CMPR research.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Later FIAT G.50 and CR.42 schemes.
• Breda, Caproni, IMAM, SIAI and other aircraft where Giallo Mimetico 3 is documented.
• Reggiane applications such as selected Re.2000 schemes.

Companion colors:

• SCA506 Verde Mimetico 3
• SCA508 Marrone Mimetico 2
• SCA509 Bruno Mimetico where documented

Typical modeler callout:

• Later FIAT CR.42/G.50 Serie Mimetica starting point -> SCA502 + SCA506 + SCA508.

Use note: Do not assume that every yellow-background Italian scheme used Giallo Mimetico 3.

SCA503 - Italian Giallo Mimetico 4

Historical designation / identity: Giallo Mimetico 4 - modern CMPR identifier for the Max-Mayer-produced Giallo Mimetico family

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Serie Mimetica era

Modern comparison: STORMO current guide: approximately FS 30266 (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA503 represents the Max-Mayer yellow strongly associated with Macchi/Aermacchi and also documented for IMAM and Reggiane applications.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Macchi C.200 and early C.202 camouflage.
• Selected Reggiane and IMAM applications where Giallo Mimetico 4 is documented.

Companion colors:

• SCA505 Verde Mimetico 2
• SCA509 Bruno Mimetico

Typical modeler callout:

• Macchi C.200 / early C.202 Serie Mimetica -> SCA503 + SCA505 + SCA509 when that documented palette applies.

Use note: Aircraft-specific evidence overrides the generic Macchi relationship because Macchi could also use Verde Mimetico 53192 and transitional finishes.

SCA504 - Italian Verde Mimetico 1

Historical designation / identity: Verde Mimetico 1 - modern CMPR identifier for the Inves-produced Verde Mimetico family

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Serie Mimetica era

Modern comparison: STORMO current guide: approximately FS 34258 (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA504 is the Inves green most strongly associated with early FIAT production and the companion colors from the same supplier family.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Early FIAT CR.32 and first production G.50 camouflage.
• Selected Reggiane applications documented with Verde Mimetico 1.

Companion colors:

• SCA500 Giallo Mimetico 1
• SCA507 Marrone Mimetico 1

Typical modeler callout:

• Early FIAT Serie Mimetica -> SCA500 + SCA504 + SCA507.

Use note: Do not use as a generic Italian camouflage green.

SCA505 - Italian Verde Mimetico 2

Historical designation / identity: Verde Mimetico 2 - Max-Mayer Verde Mimetico family

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Serie Mimetica era

Modern comparison: STORMO current guide: approximately FS 34092 (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA505 represents the darker Max-Mayer green strongly associated with Macchi/Aermacchi and Piaggio, with documented Reggiane use as well.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Macchi C.200 and early C.202 as a green base or mottle color.
• Piaggio aircraft using the Max-Mayer green.
• Selected Reggiane schemes.

Companion colors:

• SCA503 Giallo Mimetico 4
• SCA509 Bruno Mimetico
• SCA501 Giallo Mimetico 2 in Piaggio contexts

Typical modeler callout:

• Macchi C.200 / early C.202 documented Giallo 4 / Verde 2 / Bruno palette -> SCA503 + SCA505 + SCA509.

Use note: Verde Mimetico 2 is not the same historical color as Tavola 10 Verde Oliva Scuro 2.

SCA506 - Italian Verde Mimetico 3

Historical designation / identity: Verde Mimetico 3 - Masciadri Verde Mimetico family

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Serie Mimetica era

Modern comparison: STORMO current guide: approximately FS 34102 (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA506 is the Masciadri green associated with Breda, Caproni, FIAT and IMAM production and is a key component of many later pre-Tavola 10 schemes.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Later FIAT G.50 and CR.42 schemes.
• Breda 65/88 and selected Caproni/IMAM applications.

Companion colors:

• SCA502 Giallo Mimetico 3
• SCA508 Marrone Mimetico 2

Typical modeler callout:

• Later FIAT Serie Mimetica -> SCA502 + SCA506 + SCA508.

Use note: Pattern, proportion and underside color still depend on aircraft, date and factory evidence.

SCA507 - Italian Marrone Mimetico 1

Historical designation / identity: Marrone Mimetico 1 - Inves brown family

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Serie Mimetica era

Modern comparison: STORMO main guide: approximately FS 30118; VITO study notes the original chip was lighter than 30118 (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA507 represents the Inves brown associated most strongly with early FIAT and also documented with SIAI. It is the natural brown companion to the early Inves yellow/green family.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Early FIAT CR.32 and first production G.50.
• Selected SIAI applications.

Companion colors:

• SCA500 Giallo Mimetico 1
• SCA504 Verde Mimetico 1

Typical modeler callout:

• Early FIAT Inves palette -> SCA500 + SCA504 + SCA507.

Use note: Modern FS comparisons vary in the research; preserve the historical Italian designation first.

SCA508 - Italian Marrone Mimetico 2

Historical designation / identity: Marrone Mimetico 2 - Masciadri brown family

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Serie Mimetica era

Modern comparison: STORMO narrative: FS 30109 in CMPR 1st Ed.; FS 30076 in CMPR 2nd Ed. (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA508 represents the broadly used Masciadri brown appearing with Caproni, FIAT, IMAM, Piaggio, SIAI and documented Reggiane applications. It is an important companion to the later FIAT yellow/green family.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Later FIAT G.50 and CR.42 schemes.
• Caproni, IMAM, Piaggio, SIAI and selected Reggiane subjects.

Companion colors:

• SCA502 Giallo Mimetico 3
• SCA506 Verde Mimetico 3

Typical modeler callout:

• Later FIAT CR.42/G.50 palette -> SCA502 + SCA506 + SCA508.

Use note: The literature contains differing FS comparisons between CMPR editions; this reinforces that the FS number is only a comparison.

SCA509 - Italian Bruno Mimetico

Historical designation / identity: Bruno Mimetico - Arson-Sisi dark camouflage brown

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period: Serie Mimetica era

Modern comparison: STORMO top table / VITO study: similar to FS 30215; older Serie Mimetica narrative retains FS 30227 (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA509 represents the dark brown used across a wide group of manufacturers, including Breda, Caproni, CRDA, IMAM, Macchi/Aermacchi and Piaggio. It is especially useful in Macchi C.200 and early C.202 camouflage when paired with Giallo Mimetico 4 and Verde Mimetico 2.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Macchi C.200 and early C.202 schemes.
• Breda, Caproni, CRDA, IMAM and Piaggio subjects where Bruno Mimetico is documented.

Companion colors:

• SCA503 Giallo Mimetico 4
• SCA505 Verde Mimetico 2

Typical modeler callout:

• Macchi Serie Mimetica palette -> SCA503 + SCA505 + SCA509 where aircraft evidence supports it.

Use note: STORMO! itself preserves differing FS comparisons for Bruno Mimetico. Do not convert either comparison into an official identity.

SCA510-SCA513 - Tavola 10 and Underside Records

SCA510 - Italian Verde Oliva Scuro

Historical designation / identity: Verde Oliva Scuro 2 (commercial name omits the numeral)

Application type: Exterior upper and lateral camouflage

Period: Tavola 10 era, introduced 1941 and continuing thereafter where applicable

Modern comparison: STORMO current guide: approximately FS 34052 (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA510 is the principal dark olive green standardized under Tavola 10. It became the continental upper-surface color and one of the two core colors of the North African camouflage system.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Continental scheme: overall Verde Oliva Scuro 2 upper/lateral surfaces.
• Initial North African Tavola 10 scheme: SCA510 base with small SCA511 Nocciola Chiaro 4 mottles.
• 1942 reversed desert scheme: SCA511 base with small SCA510 mottles.
• Macchi C.200/C.202/C.205 smoke-ring or amebae schemes: SCA510 rings/pattern over SCA511 background.

Companion colors:

• SCA511 Nocciola Chiaro 4
• SCA513 Grigio Azzurro Chiaro Late / GAC1

Typical modeler callout:

• Macchi desert smoke rings -> SCA510 over SCA511, normally with SCA513 below.

Use note: Do not assume a sharp 1941 cutoff; earlier Serie Mimetica stocks continued to be used during the transition.

SCA511 - Italian Nocciola Chiaro 4

Historical designation / identity: Nocciola Chiaro 4

Application type: Exterior desert camouflage

Period: Tavola 10 era, from 1941

Modern comparison: STORMO current guide: approximately FS 30219 (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA511 is the standardized light hazel color of the Tavola 10 system. It first appeared as a mottle color over Verde Oliva Scuro 2 in the North African scheme; the 1942 directive reversed the relationship and made Nocciola Chiaro 4 the dominant background with small green mottles.

Typical applications / relationships:

• North African aircraft in the 1941 Tavola 10 scheme.
• 1942 and later desert aircraft with Nocciola Chiaro 4 dominant.
• Macchi C.200/C.202/C.205 smoke-ring schemes.

Companion colors:

• SCA510 Verde Oliva Scuro
• SCA513 Grigio Azzurro Chiaro Late / GAC1

Typical modeler callout:

• 1942 North African scheme -> SCA511 base + SCA510 mottles over SCA513 underside.

Use note: Earlier yellow-based Serie Mimetica desert-looking schemes are not automatically Nocciola Chiaro 4.

SCA512 - Italian Grigio Azzuro Chiaro Early

Historical designation / identity: Squadron early / pre-standardization light blue-gray underside interpretation; commercial spelling retained. Not an official Regia Aeronautica designation called "Early GAC".

Application type: Exterior underside / selected early light blue-gray applications

Period: Pre-Tavola 10 / transition context

Description: SCA512 exists to distinguish Squadron's earlier light blue-gray interpretation from the standardized Tavola 10 Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 represented by SCA513. The historical picture is not a simple official "early GAC versus late GAC" sequence: Grigio Mimetico was the common named underside gray before Tavola 10, while surviving material and later research also document pre-standardization light blue-gray finishes on some aircraft/manufacturers.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Use when an aircraft-specific reference or original Squadron guidance calls for the early/pre-standardization light blue-gray interpretation.
• Potential Serie Mimetica-era Macchi/Reggiane and transitional applications where the surviving evidence supports a blue-gray rather than the standardized Tavola 10 GAC1.

Companion colors:

• SCA513 Grigio Azzurro Chiaro Late for standardized Tavola 10 GAC1

Typical modeler callout:

• Early/pre-Tavola-10 light blue-gray callout -> SCA512 when supported by the individual subject.

Use note: Do not use SCA512 as an automatic substitute for historical Grigio Mimetico, and do not imply that "Early GAC" was an official wartime paint name.

SCA513 - Italian Grigio Azzuro Chiaro Late

Historical designation / identity: Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1 - standardized Tavola 10 light blue-gray; commercial product spelling retained

Application type: Exterior underside; also selected interior finish after standardization

Period: Tavola 10 era, from 1941 with full implementation developing into 1942

Modern comparison: STORMO current guide / original Tavola 10 match: approximately FS 36307 (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA513 is the standardized Tavola 10 Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1. It was specified for military aircraft undersurfaces and became an important interior finish on new or refurbished aircraft after the 1941 standardization took full effect.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Standard Tavola 10 aircraft undersides.
• Continental and North African Tavola 10 schemes beneath SCA510/SCA511.
• New or refurbished interiors after Tavola 10 where GAC1 was used as the finish coat.
• SIAI S.79 interiors, for which light gray/GAC1 is a well-supported standard finish.
• Wheel wells and undercarriage components where STORMO! identifies underside-color practice for the period.

Companion colors:

• SCA510 Verde Oliva Scuro
• SCA511 Nocciola Chiaro 4

Typical modeler callout:

• Tavola 10 underside or post-standardization light-gray interior -> SCA513.

Use note: GAC1 existed around the transition and should not be treated as appearing instantaneously on one calendar date.

SCA514-SCA515 - Italian Interior Greens

SCA514 - Italian Interior Green 1

Historical designation / identity: Common pale gray-green Verde Anticorrosione family; Squadron modeling category

Application type: Cockpit/interior anticorrosion and visible internal surfaces

Period: WWII Regia Aeronautica, manufacturer and date dependent

Modern comparison: STORMO interior discussion: approximately FS 34272 / 24272 family; sheen digit is not a historical specification (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA514 represents the common pale Verde Anticorrosione family used on many Italian aircraft interiors. STORMO! emphasizes that supplier and manufacturer variation was real; the color should therefore be treated as a family rather than as a single immutable national cockpit standard.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Generic starting point for Italian WWII interiors when a pale gray-green Verde Anticorrosione is documented.
• Reggiane cockpit/internal applications where the light gray-green family is appropriate.
• Other manufacturers where aircraft-specific evidence supports a pale anticorrosion green.

Companion colors:

• SCA515 Interior Green 2 for distinctly greener/grass-green internal components
• SCA513 GAC1 for SIAI S.79 and post-Tavola-10 interiors where light gray is documented

Typical modeler callout:

• Italian interior calling for pale Verde Anticorrosione -> start with SCA514, then check manufacturer/date evidence.

Use note: Do not apply SCA514 automatically to S.79 interiors or to every post-1941 rebuilt/new aircraft; GAC1 may be the correct visible finish.

SCA515 - Italian Interior Green 2

Historical designation / identity: Greener / grass-green anticorrosion-interior variation; closely aligned with Verde Prato Anticorrosione-type applications

Application type: Interior details and selected structural/components

Period: WWII Regia Aeronautica, manufacturer/component dependent

Modern comparison: STORMO / VITO comparison: approximately FS 34230 (comparison only; not the historical specification)

Description: SCA515 represents the distinctly greener interior variation documented on selected Italian aircraft components, especially Reggiane applications. STORMO!/VITO research describes a grass-green near FS 34230 on separate parts such as ammunition boxes and other internal components.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Selected Reggiane internal components.
• Ammo boxes and separate interior parts where a stronger grass-green is documented.
• Other aircraft only where subject-specific evidence supports the greener shade.

Companion colors:

• SCA514 Interior Green 1 for the more common pale gray-green family
• SCA513 GAC1 for documented gray interiors

Typical modeler callout:

• Reggiane or component-specific grass-green interior detail -> SCA515 when the evidence supports it.

Use note: Do not turn SCA515 into a second universal Italian cockpit green. Its value is in documented manufacturer/component variation.

Practical Scheme / Application Map

Scheme / subject context	Squadron recommendation	Important note
Early FIAT Serie Mimetica	SCA500 + SCA504 + SCA507	Typical Inves-family starting point; underside may be Grigio Mimetico or aluminium; do not force SCA512 without subject evidence
Later FIAT G.50 / CR.42 Serie Mimetica	SCA502 + SCA506 + SCA508	Well-supported later FIAT relationship; pattern still subject specific
Macchi C.200 / early C.202 Serie Mimetica	SCA503 + SCA505 + SCA509	Strong Macchi/Aermacchi starting palette; Verde Mimetico 53192 can also occur and has no current SKU
Tavola 10 Continental	SCA510 over SCA513	Overall Verde Oliva Scuro 2 upper/lateral surfaces, GAC1 below
1941 North African Tavola 10	SCA510 base + SCA511 small mottles over SCA513	Initial standardized African relationship
1942 reversed African scheme	SCA511 base + SCA510 small mottles over SCA513	Reversal of dominant/mottle relationship
Macchi smoke rings / amebae	SCA510 pattern over SCA511, normally SCA513 below	C.200/C.202/C.205 applications; confirm aircraft-specific pattern
Generic pale anticorrosion interior	SCA514	Starting point only; manufacturer/date can override
Greener Reggiane-type internal details	SCA515	Component-specific stronger green
SIAI S.79 interior	SCA513 as the primary light-gray/GAC1-family recommendation	Reggiane- or Macchi-built examples can differ; check manufacturer
Post-Tavola-10 new/refurbished interior	SCA513 where GAC1 finish is documented	Anticorrosion primer may still exist beneath the visible GAC1 finish

 

 

7. Polish Aircraft Colors

SCA600-SCA605

Historical Framework

The khaki system. By the 1930s, the characteristic finish of Polish combat aircraft was an upper khaki family over a pale blue or blue-gray lower-surface color. Modern Polish research supports at least three meaningful khaki appearances across the decade: early, medium and late. The current Squadron range contains dedicated Early and Late products but no separate Medium Polish Khaki SKU.

Early khaki. Research using the Nobiles chart and surviving material places the early-1930s PZL khaki in a relatively light, earthy brown-olive family. PZL P.7a aircraft were factory-painted in this early color, and early P.11-family aircraft also used it.

Late khaki. By approximately 1937-38, a distinctly darker and browner khaki appeared. It was used on late production aircraft and on earlier aircraft repainted during overhaul. Surviving PZL P.11c evidence and period accounts support the reality of this darker late appearance.

Undersides. Polish fighter and reconnaissance undersides were commonly blue-gray. Modern research describes the color as a mixture of blue and light gray paints, with exact proportions not preserved. Earlier applications could be paler, while later applications could appear darker and grayer. The current range intentionally treats SCA605 as the practical family color rather than multiplying minor tonal variants.

Specialized schemes. Lublin R-XIII-family aircraft and Polish naval aviation used schemes outside the simple khaki-over-blue pattern. These include multi-color upper camouflage using light olive, dark green/dark olive and a third earthy color, as well as a light green-gray/sea-gray maritime finish. These specialized schemes remain more research-sensitive than the mainstream PZL fighter palette.

Do not create precision that the evidence does not support Polish aviation color research contains both strong evidence and unresolved interpretation. Where original documents, surviving paint or manufacturer charts support a conclusion, preserve it. Where the evidence remains ambiguous, provide a practical modeling recommendation without presenting a modern approximation as a uniquely correct historical standard.

Polish Aircraft - Quick Reference

SKU	Commercial product	Primary modeler application
SCA600	Polish Khaki Early	Early-1930s PZL earthy brown/olive-brown upper finish; P.7a and early P.11 family
SCA601	Polish Khaki Late	Late-1930s darker/browner khaki; late production and prewar overhaul/repaint applications
SCA602	Polish Light Olive	Specialized multi-color camouflage, principally Lublin R-XIII-family applications
SCA603	Polish Dark Olive	Dark olive/dark green component of Lublin R-XIII-family camouflage
SCA604	Polish Sea Gray	Light green-gray / sea-gray maritime upper finish for Polish naval aircraft
SCA605	Polish Light Blue Gray	Main blue-gray underside family for PZL fighters/reconnaissance and related applications

 

Product Records

SCA600 - Polish Khaki Early

Historical designation / identity: Early Polish khaki - earthy brown / olive-brown PZL camouflage family

Application type: Exterior upper-surface camouflage

Period: Approximately early 1930s to about 1935; later on individual aircraft retaining original finish

Description: SCA600 represents the early Polish khaki appearance associated with early-1930s PZL production. Modern Polish research based on Nobiles color references, surviving aircraft material and archaeological evidence describes this early finish as relatively light and earthy, with a brown-olive character rather than a simple dark green.

Typical applications / relationships:

• PZL P.7a factory finish.
• Early PZL P.11-family aircraft where the original early khaki is documented.
• Older aircraft retaining or receiving early-period khaki during the early 1930s.

Companion colors:

• SCA605 Polish Light Blue Gray

Typical modeler callout:

• Early PZL P.7a / early P.11-family aircraft -> SCA600 above with SCA605 below, subject to the individual aircraft record.

Use note: Do not use SCA600 as a universal Polish 1939 upper color. Many aircraft had been repainted in darker late khaki by the September Campaign.

SCA601 - Polish Khaki Late

Historical designation / identity: Late Polish khaki - darker brown late-1930s camouflage family

Application type: Exterior upper-surface camouflage

Period: Approximately 1937/38-1939, including overhaul repainting of older aircraft

Description: SCA601 represents the darker, browner late Polish khaki strongly associated with the immediate prewar period. Polish research ties this appearance to the final production years and to aircraft overhauled shortly before the war. Surviving layers on the Krakow PZL P.11c and period descriptions support a clear difference from the earlier, lighter khaki.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Late production PZL aircraft where late khaki is documented.
• PZL P.7a and P.11 aircraft repainted during late-1930s overhaul.
• 23 Karas and PZL.37 Los applications where a late dark khaki finish is supported by the aircraft/date evidence.

Companion colors:

• SCA605 Polish Light Blue Gray where a blue-gray underside applies

Typical modeler callout:

• September 1939 PZL subject with evidence of recent overhaul or late production -> investigate SCA601 first.

Use note: Do not assume every September 1939 aircraft had been repainted in late khaki; retained early or medium finishes remained possible.

SCA602 - Polish Light Olive

Historical designation / identity: Light olive component of specialized Polish multi-color camouflage

Application type: Exterior disruptive camouflage

Period: Primarily late interwar Polish specialized schemes

Description: SCA602 is retained principally for the light-olive component associated with the multi-color camouflage of Lublin R-XIII-family aircraft. It should not be treated as the missing mid-period PZL khaki merely because that historical color was also more olive than the early or late khakis.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Lublin R-XIII-family multi-color upper-surface camouflage where a light-olive component is documented or strongly supported.

Companion colors:

• SCA603 Polish Dark Olive
• A subject-appropriate khaki/earth/ochre third color where documented
• SCA605 where a blue underside is documented; silver-gray is also possible on some subjects

Typical modeler callout:

• Lublin R-XIII multi-color scheme -> SCA602 and SCA603 become relevant, but confirm the individual aircraft before selecting the third upper color and underside.

Use note: The exact appearance and composition of R-XIII schemes remain more disputed than the mainstream PZL fighter palette. Aircraft-specific research should override a generic three-color recipe.

SCA603 - Polish Dark Olive

Historical designation / identity: Dark olive / dark green component of specialized Polish multi-color camouflage

Application type: Exterior disruptive camouflage

Period: Primarily late interwar Polish specialized schemes

Description: SCA603 represents the dark green-dark olive component commonly described in reconstructions of the Lublin R-XIII multi-color camouflage family. Older references often call the color simply dark green; the commercial Squadron name remains Polish Dark Olive.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Lublin R-XIII-family upper camouflage.
• Other documented Polish subjects using the same dark olive/green component.

Companion colors:

• SCA602 Polish Light Olive
• A subject-appropriate khaki/earth/ochre third color

Typical modeler callout:

• Lublin R-XIII three-color upper camouflage -> use SCA603 as the dark component when the subject evidence supports that scheme.

Use note: Do not generalize SCA603 into a universal Polish dark green. Its strongest application is the specialized R-XIII camouflage family.

SCA604 - Polish Sea Gray

Historical designation / identity: Polish naval light green-gray / sea-gray upper-surface family

Application type: Exterior maritime camouflage

Period: Interwar Polish naval aviation through 1939 where documented

Description: SCA604 represents the pale sea-gray to green-gray family associated with Polish naval aircraft. Period and later references distinguish Polish maritime aircraft from the mainstream land-aircraft khaki scheme, commonly describing a light green-gray upper finish with silver or metallic lower surfaces and floats.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Lublin R-XIII ter/hydro and related Polish naval-aircraft applications where the light green-gray maritime finish is documented.

Companion colors:

• Silver/aluminum lower surfaces where documented

Typical modeler callout:

• Polish naval Lublin R-XIII ter/hydro -> investigate SCA604 for the upper surfaces before applying the standard land-aircraft khaki scheme.

Use note: Maritime research remains less settled than the mainstream fighter colors. Photographs, aircraft number and period should control when available.

SCA605 - Polish Light Blue Gray

Historical designation / identity: Polish blue-gray lower-surface family

Application type: Exterior lower-surface camouflage

Period: 1930s through the September 1939 campaign, with tonal evolution across the decade

Description: SCA605 is the practical Squadron representation of the Polish pale blue-gray underside family used on many fighters and reconnaissance aircraft. Polish research describes the original color as a mixture of blue and light-gray paints; the surviving documentation does not preserve a single universal mixing ratio. Early examples could be paler and later examples darker or grayer.

Typical applications / relationships:

• PZL P.7a undersides.
• PZL P.11-family undersides.
• 23 and other Polish aircraft where a blue-gray underside is documented.
• Selected Lublin R-XIII aircraft, noting that silver-gray undersides are also documented or argued for other examples.

Companion colors:

• SCA600 Polish Khaki Early
• SCA601 Polish Khaki Late

Typical modeler callout:

• Mainstream PZL fighter in khaki-over-blue camouflage -> SCA605 is the first underside color to check.

Use note: Do not force SCA605 onto aircraft documented with silver/aluminum undersides or specialized maritime schemes.

Scheme and Subject Relationships

Subject / scheme	Squadron starting point	Notes
PZL P.7a - factory early finish	SCA600 + SCA605	Early khaki above; pale blue-gray below
PZL P.7a - late overhaul repaint	SCA601 + SCA605	Late khaki and generally darker/grayer underside appearance
PZL P.11 - early/original finish	SCA600 + SCA605	Check production date and surviving aircraft evidence
PZL P.11 - late overhaul / 1939 subject	SCA601 + SCA605	A common late-war-starting point, but not universal
PZL.23 Karas	Khaki family + SCA605	Production/date determines early, medium or late khaki; do not automatically force Early/Late if the subject falls in the mid-period
PZL.37 Los	Usually late dark khaki family; lower finish subject-dependent	Period photographs show dark upper camouflage; silver/metallic lower appearances are also documented
Lublin R-XIII - multi-color land scheme	SCA602 + SCA603 + documented third earthy color	Third color and underside require individual research; blue and silver-gray lower surfaces both occur in references
Lublin R-XIII ter/hydro / naval	SCA604 upper surfaces; metallic lower surfaces where documented	Maritime light green-gray/sea-gray family

 

Historical Colors Not Fully Represented in the Current Range

Medium Polish Khaki. Modern Polish research recognizes a distinct mid-1930s khaki that was more olive/green than both the earlier earthy brown-olive and later dark brown shade. It is associated broadly with about 1935-1938 and appears on late-series P.11c, Karas and other aircraft. The current Squadron catalog does not contain a dedicated Medium Polish Khaki SKU.

R-XIII third color. Published reconstructions describe the third upper color variously as khaki, ochre, brown or a related earthy tone. Preserve the individual source and subject evidence; do not force a single universal third-color rule for every R-XIII.

R-XIII undersides. Both pale blue and silver/gray-silver treatments appear in the research and surviving-photo discussions. The individual aircraft, batch and period should decide the application.

 

8. French Aircraft Colors

SCA700-SCA709

Historical Framework

December 1938 system. French Air Ministry camouflage instructions standardized a broad color system for military aircraft. In practical late-1930s day camouflage, lower surfaces were generally Gris Bleu Clair, while upper surfaces used a three-color family built around a blue-gray component, a green/khaki component and a brown/earth component. Official and manufacturer documentation also shows that exact shade and application could vary by manufacturer, batch and date.

Manufacturer variation. The French system should not be treated like a rigid printed camouflage map. Surviving aircraft, period documents and factory practice show variation in both hue and pattern. Even aircraft of the same type and production period may differ in the exact distribution of colors.

Core documented late-1930s palette. The strongest recurring operational designations are Kaki, Gris Bleu Fonce, Brun and Gris Bleu Clair. The 1938 directive also identifies Sienne Naturelle, Vert and Ombre Calcinee among the authorized colors/pigments used in the camouflage system. These alternate green and brown families must not be forced onto every subject when a manufacturer technical document specifically calls for Kaki and Brun.

Interiors. French interior practice is separate from the ten-color Squadron exterior/marking range. Aircraft technical notes describe Gris Bleu in some earlier cockpit areas, Bleu de Nuit for many visible cockpit surfaces from late 1939 onward, Chamois for protected/non-visible interior areas, and underside color in wheel wells on some types. These remain historical nodes even though the present SCA700-series does not contain dedicated cockpit products.

French modeling rule For a 1939-40 French aircraft, begin with Gris Bleu Clair below and a three-color upper scheme using Gris Bleu Fonce plus one green/khaki and one brown/earth color. Then use manufacturer documentation, production batch, photographs and surviving material to choose the exact green and brown. Do not assume that every aircraft requires every color in the Squadron French range.

French Aircraft - Quick Reference

SKU	Commercial product	Primary modeler application
SCA700	French Vert (Green)	Alternative / manufacturer-specific green-family upper camouflage; not universal
SCA701	French Kaki (Khaki)	Core upper camouflage green-brown/olive family
SCA702	French Gris Bleu Fonce (Dk Blue Gray)	Core dark blue-gray upper camouflage component
SCA703	French Ombre Calinee (Burnt Umber)	Dark earth/brown family; practical dark-brown candidate where subject evidence supports it
SCA704	French Sienne Natural (Natural Sienna)	Lighter/warm sienna-earth family; subject-specific alternative brown
SCA705	French Jaune Sahara (Desert Yellow)	Specialized overseas/desert color; verify aircraft-specific application
SCA706	French Rouge (Red)	National markings and identification markings
SCA707	French Bleu (Blue)	French national-marking blue
SCA708	French Jaune (Yellow)	Identification/tactical marking yellow, especially Vichy applications
SCA709	French Gris Bleu Clair (Light Blue Gray)	Primary lower-surface blue-gray family

 

Product Records

SCA700 - French Vert (Green)

Historical designation / identity: Vert - French green-family camouflage color

Application type: Exterior upper-surface camouflage

Period: Late 1930s through early WWII where specifically documented

Description: SCA700 represents the distinctly green member of the French camouflage palette. The December 1938 framework includes Vert, but manufacturer technical documents for important combat types often specify Kaki rather than Vert as the green-family component. SCA700 should therefore be treated as an alternative or manufacturer/subject-specific green, not as a mandatory color on every French aircraft.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Use where period instructions, factory practice, surviving paint or a well-supported aircraft profile specifically indicates Vert.
• Consider on aircraft or production batches showing a clearly greener appearance than the standard Kaki family.

Companion colors:

• SCA702 Gris Bleu Fonce
• SCA703 or SCA704 when the documented scheme uses a brown/earth component
• SCA709 Gris Bleu Clair below

Typical modeler callout:

• If a source says Vert, use SCA700; if the aircraft technical document says Kaki, use SCA701 instead.

Use note: Do not recommend SCA700 and SCA701 together by default. They may serve as alternative green-family components.

SCA701 - French Kaki (Khaki)

Historical designation / identity: Kaki - French khaki / olive-brown camouflage family

Application type: Exterior upper-surface camouflage

Period: Prewar through the 1940 campaign and later where retained

Description: Kaki is one of the core French upper-surface camouflage colors and appears explicitly in technical documentation for major 1939-40 aircraft. Its historical appearance belongs to an olive, olive-brown or khaki family rather than a simple bright green. Manufacturer and batch variation should be expected.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Dewoitine D.520 upper camouflage.
• Morane-Saulnier MS.406 where technical/aircraft evidence specifies Kaki.
• Bloch, Potez, Breguet and other Armée de l'Air types using the standard day-camouflage family.

Companion colors:

• SCA702 Gris Bleu Fonce
• A documented brown-family color such as SCA703
• SCA709 Gris Bleu Clair below

Typical modeler callout:

• Typical 1939-40 French day fighter -> begin with SCA701 + SCA702 + a documented brown over SCA709.

Use note: Do not replace Kaki with SCA700 Vert merely because both are green-family colors; use the aircraft-specific source.

SCA702 - French Gris Bleu Fonce (Dk Blue Gray)

Historical designation / identity: Gris Bleu Fonce - dark blue-gray camouflage color

Application type: Exterior upper-surface camouflage

Period: Late 1930s through early WWII and appropriate Vichy retention

Description: SCA702 represents the dark blue-gray upper camouflage component repeatedly documented on French combat aircraft. It is distinct from the lighter lower-surface Gris Bleu Clair.

Typical applications / relationships:

• 520 upper camouflage.
• 406 upper camouflage.
• Potez 63 family.
• Breguet 691/693 family.
• Bloch fighter family and other 1939-40 combat aircraft where documented.

Companion colors:

• SCA701 Kaki or SCA700 Vert as the green-family component
• SCA703/SCA704 or another documented brown-family component
• SCA709 Gris Bleu Clair below

Typical modeler callout:

• French three-color upper camouflage -> SCA702 is usually the first blue-gray component to check.

Use note: Do not derive SCA702 from a Federal Standard number. Any FS value is only a modern comparison.

SCA703 - French Ombre Calinee (Burnt Umber)

Historical designation / identity: Historical terminology: Ombre Calcinee; commercial product name preserved as Ombre Calinee

Application type: Exterior brown/earth camouflage component

Period: Late 1930s through early WWII where supported

Description: SCA703 represents the darker earth/brown end of the French camouflage palette. Ombre Calcinee appears in the 1938 camouflage framework, while aircraft technical documents often use the broader term Brun. The product is therefore a practical dark-brown candidate, not a license to rewrite every documented Brun as Ombre Calcinee.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Use where a dark brown/earth component is indicated by subject evidence.
• Strong practical candidate for standard French fighter/bomber three-color schemes when the documented brown is visually dark.

Companion colors:

• SCA701 Kaki
• SCA702 Gris Bleu Fonce
• SCA709 Gris Bleu Clair

Typical modeler callout:

Use note: Historical terminology in the source remains authoritative; do not silently relabel Brun as Ombre Calcinee.

SCA704 - French Sienne Natural (Natural Sienna)

Historical designation / identity: Historical designation: Sienne Naturelle; commercial product name preserved as Sienne Natural

Application type: Exterior brown/earth camouflage component

Period: Late 1930s through early WWII where specifically documented

Description: SCA704 represents the warmer/lighter sienna-earth member of the French authorized camouflage palette. It is useful when aircraft-specific evidence supports a lighter, warmer brown rather than the darker Brun/Ombre Calcinee appearance.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Subject-specific upper camouflage requiring Sienne Naturelle or a lighter/warm earth-brown.
• Potential overseas/colonial applications where documentary or photographic evidence supports this warmer family.

Companion colors:

• SCA700/SCA701 green-family color as appropriate
• SCA702 Gris Bleu Fonce
• SCA709 Gris Bleu Clair

Typical modeler callout:

• Use SCA704 only when the subject evidence supports the lighter/warm sienna family; do not add it automatically to the standard three-color fighter scheme.

Use note: SCA703 and SCA704 are not a mandatory pair. They represent different brown/earth choices within the broader French palette.

SCA705 - French Jaune Sahara (Desert Yellow)

Historical designation / identity: Jaune Sahara - specialized desert/overseas yellow-earth family

Application type: Exterior specialized / overseas camouflage

Period: Prewar and wartime colonial/desert applications where documented

Description: SCA705 is retained as the Squadron specialized desert/overseas color. It should be treated conservatively because the strongest general French 1938-40 documentation centers on the metropolitan Kaki/Brun/Gris Bleu palette. Aircraft-specific colonial, North African or Levant research should determine when Jaune Sahara applies.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Investigate for French aircraft operating in North Africa, the Levant or other desert/colonial environments where a yellow-earth finish is documented.

Typical modeler callout:

• French aircraft in a desert/colonial theater -> investigate SCA705; do not assume it simply replaces Kaki on every overseas aircraft.

Use note: Current working application is specialized and subject-specific. Do not confuse Jaune Sahara with Chamois, an interior/protective color used in different contexts.

SCA706 - French Rouge (Red)

Historical designation / identity: Rouge - French national / identification red

Application type: Markings and identification

Period: Interwar through WWII

Description: SCA706 represents French marking red rather than a camouflage color.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Outer ring of French national roundels.
• Red component of tricolor rudder markings.
• Red identification/tactical markings where documented.
• Vichy red identification striping in combination with yellow.

Companion colors:

• SCA707 French Bleu
• SCA708 French Jaune

Typical modeler callout:

• French national markings -> use SCA706 for the red component.

Use note: Marking color only unless a specific subject documents another use.

SCA707 - French Bleu (Blue)

Historical designation / identity: Bleu - French national-marking blue

Application type: National markings

Period: Interwar through WWII

Description: SCA707 represents the blue component of French national markings. Historical marking blues varied by period and specification, so the current product should be treated as the Squadron practical national-marking blue unless a subject-specific standard is documented.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Center of French national roundels.
• Blue component of tricolor rudder markings and other national identifiers.

Companion colors:

• SCA706 French Rouge

Typical modeler callout:

• French roundel -> SCA707 center, white middle, SCA706 outer ring.

Use note: Do not convert later FS comparisons into an official French definition of the marking blue.

SCA708 - French Jaune (Yellow)

Historical designation / identity: Jaune - French marking / identification yellow

Application type: Markings and identification

Period: Interwar through WWII; particularly visible in Vichy service

Description: SCA708 is the French yellow marking color. Its best-known wartime modeling application is the yellow component of Vichy identification treatments, often used with red striping.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Vichy red-and-yellow cowling, tail and other identification striping as applicable to the specific aircraft.
• Other tactical or identification markings where yellow is documented.

Companion colors:

• SCA706 French Rouge

Typical modeler callout:

• Vichy red/yellow recognition markings -> SCA706 + SCA708, over the aircraft's underlying French camouflage.

Use note: Do not treat SCA708 as a camouflage color by default.

SCA709 - French Gris Bleu Clair (Light Blue Gray)

Historical designation / identity: Gris Bleu Clair - light blue-gray lower-surface color

Application type: Exterior lower-surface camouflage

Period: Late 1930s through the 1940 campaign and later where retained

Description: SCA709 represents the standard French light blue-gray lower-surface family. It is one of the most consistently documented colors in the 1938-40 system and appears across fighter, bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. Surviving evidence also suggests early and later applications could differ in tone, but the current range uses one practical product rather than multiplying small variants.

Typical applications / relationships:

• 520 undersides and, on documented types, wheel wells/gear areas.
• 406 undersides.
• Potez 63 family undersides.
• Breguet 691/693 undersides.
• Bloch and other Armée de l'Air 1939-40 combat aircraft.

Companion colors:

• SCA702 Gris Bleu Fonce
• SCA701 Kaki / SCA700 Vert as subject appropriate
• SCA703/SCA704 or another documented brown-family component

Typical modeler callout:

• 1939-40 French combat aircraft -> SCA709 is the first underside color to check.

Use note: A modern FS comparison is only a visual cross-reference. Historical identity remains Gris Bleu Clair.

 

Scheme and Subject Relationships

Subject / scheme	Squadron starting point	Notes
Generic 1939-40 metropolitan day scheme	SCA709 below; SCA702 + SCA701 + documented brown above	Use manufacturer and aircraft evidence to choose the brown and whether Kaki or Vert is appropriate
Dewoitine D.520	SCA709 below; SCA701 + SCA702 + dark brown candidate SCA703 above	Technical documentation specifies Kaki, Brun and Gris Bleu Fonce; do not substitute Vert/Sienne without aircraft evidence
Morane-Saulnier MS.406	SCA709 below; SCA702 + Kaki/Vert + documented brown above	Factory/batch variation significant; aircraft-specific research matters
Potez 63 family	SCA709 below; Kaki + Gris Bleu Fonce + Brun-family upper camouflage	Technical and wreckage evidence support the core palette
Breguet 691/693	SCA709 below; Kaki + Gris Bleu Fonce + Brun-family upper camouflage	Manufacturer technical documentation supports this family
Bloch fighter family	SCA709 below; Kaki + Gris Bleu Fonce + Brun-family upper camouflage	Patterns vary; blended boundaries common
Overseas/desert French subject	Investigate SCA705 and SCA704 in addition to standard colors	Do not assume a desert palette without aircraft-specific evidence
Vichy identification scheme	Underlying French camouflage + SCA706/SCA708 markings	Red/yellow recognition markings are additions to the base camouflage, not a replacement for it

 

Historical Terminology and Catalog Boundaries

Commercial names remain canonical. Keep the sold product names exactly as cataloged, including SCA703 "Ombre Calinee" and SCA704 "Sienne Natural." Store the historically correct French forms - Ombre Calcinee and Sienne Naturelle - in the historical designation field rather than silently renaming the SKU.

Brun versus named earth colors. Manufacturer technical documents often say Brun rather than Ombre Calcinee or Sienne Naturelle. Preserve Brun when that is what the original source says. SCA703 or SCA704 may be recommended as practical Squadron products only after the visual/application evidence supports the choice.

Early/late underside variation. Research on surviving material and technical discussion indicates Gris Bleu Clair could vary and that earlier applications may be darker than later ones on some aircraft. The current range intentionally retains one SCA709 product unless future evidence and customer demand justify a split.

 

9. World War I Aircraft Colors

SCA900-SCA946

WWI range philosophy The Squadron Colors WWI aircraft range represents historically defensible modeling interpretations based on the best available evidence and the prevailing consensus of the WWI aviation research community. The range does not claim immutable laboratory definitions for colors that often survive only through aged material, contemporary descriptions, photographs, captured-aircraft reports, restoration evidence and specialist scholarship.

Application is part of the color For many WWI finishes the visual result depends as much on technique as on hue. Fokker streaking, Halberstadt scumbling/mottling, clear-doped linen and printed camouflage fabric are prime examples. The future AI should explain the application method when it materially affects how the color appears on the model.

WWI Aircraft - Quick Reference

SKU	Commercial product	Primary modeler application
SCA900	German Metal Primer Gray-Green	German gray-green protective/utility finish for documented metalwork and fittings
SCA901	German Light Gray	Early German light-gray metal/strut finish where documented
SCA902	German Albatross D.I - D.III Red Brown	Early Albatros reddish/rust-brown camouflage component
SCA903	German Albatross D.I - D. III Dk. Green	Early Albatros dark-green camouflage component
SCA904	German Albatross D.I - D.III Lt. Green	Early Albatros lighter-green camouflage component
SCA905	German Albatross D.V Lilac	Albatros D.V/D.Va mauve-lilac painted-wing component
SCA906	German Albatross D.V Dark Green	Green partner to SCA905 on painted D.V/D.Va surfaces
SCA907	German Albatross-OAW Deep Green	OAW deep-green camouflage component
SCA908	German Albatross-OAW Burnt Sienna	OAW reddish/burnt-sienna camouflage component
SCA909	German Albatross-OAW Light Green	OAW lighter-green camouflage component
SCA910	German Albatross-OAW Pale Blue	OAW pale-blue underside interpretation
SCA911	German Albatross-Junkers Sky Blue	German pale/sky-blue underside family for documented Albatros/Junkers use
SCA912	German DFW C.V Green	DFW C.V green-family camouflage component
SCA913	German DFW C.V Clear Doped Linen	DFW C.V clear-doped/natural-linen appearance where documented
SCA914	German DFW C.V Brown	DFW C.V brown-family camouflage component
SCA915	German DFW C.V Purple	DFW C.V mauve/purple/gray-violet camouflage component
SCA916	German Fokker DR.I Olive	Principal Fokker olive streaking color
SCA917	German Fokker Light Turquiose	Fokker light turquoise underside family
SCA918	German Fokker D.VII Dk Green Streaking	Dark modeling tone for early Fokker D.VII streaked camouflage
SCA919	German Fokker D.VII Lt. Green Streaking	Light modeling tone for streaking density/fade effect
SCA920	German Junkers Lilac	Junkers pale lilac/mauve camouflage component
SCA921	German Junkers J.I Green	Junkers J.I pale/mossy green camouflage component
SCA922	Germand Junkers D.I Dark Green	Junkers D.I darker-green interpretation where subject evidence supports it
SCA923	German Halberstadt CL.II Gray Purple	Halberstadt CL.II gray-purple scumble component
SCA924	German Halberstadt CL.II Dk. Prussian Blue	Halberstadt CL.II dark blue scumble component
SCA925	German Halberstadt CL.II Blue Light-Gray	Halberstadt CL.II bluish light-gray component
SCA926	German Halberstadt CL.II Pale Blue	Pale-blue Halberstadt component/undersurface interpretation
SCA927	German Halberstadt Brown Khaki	Halberstadt brownish-khaki scumble component
SCA928	German Halberstadt CL.II Cloudy Yellow	Captured-aircraft report "cloudy yellow" component
SCA929	German Halberstadt CL.II Dark Green	Halberstadt dark-green component
SCA930	German Halberstadt CL.II Light Green	Halberstadt light-green component
SCA931	German Pfalz D.XII Purple	Purple component of one documented D.XII multicolor family
SCA932	German Pfalz D.XII Dark Green	Pfalz D.XII dark-green camouflage component
SCA933	German Pfalz D.XII Brown	Brown component of documented D.XII brown/green family
SCA934	German Pfalz D.XII Medium Gray	Medium-gray component of purple/gray/green D.XII family
SCA935	German Pfalz D.XII Light Green	Lighter green/pea-green D.XII component
SCA936	French Two-Color Green	1916 French green/brown camouflage family, especially Nieuports
SCA937	French Two-Color Brown	1916 French green/brown camouflage family, especially Nieuports
SCA938	French Five-Color Dark Green	1917 French standardized five-color upper camouflage
SCA939	Frenach Five-Color Light Green	1917 French standardized five-color upper camouflage
SCA940	French Five Color Chestnut	1917 French standardized five-color upper camouflage
SCA941	French Five-Color Beige	1917 French standardized five-color upper camouflage
SCA942	French Five-Color Black	1917 French standardized five-color upper camouflage
SCA943	British PC10	British protective camouflage dope/paint family; brown/olive-brown interpretation
SCA944	British PC12	British darker brown/chocolate protective camouflage family
SCA945	British Battleship Gray	British gray finish for metal panels, struts, undercarriage and related components
SCA946	British Clear Doped Linen	Warm natural-linen visual result from clear-doped fabric

 

German WWI Aircraft Colors

German WWI decision rule Do not select a WWI German color from nationality alone. Identify manufacturer, aircraft type, production period, factory or subcontractor when known, and whether the flying surfaces were painted, streaked or covered with printed camouflage fabric. Albatros, OAW, Fokker, Junkers, Halberstadt, Pfalz and DFW practices were not interchangeable.

SCA900 - German Metal Primer Gray-Green

Historical designation / identity: Gray-green German protective / utility finish; not a single universal cockpit color

Application type: Primer/protective finish on documented metalwork, fittings, struts and engine-area structure

Period / scope: WWI German aircraft where gray-green metal finish is documented

Description: SCA900 represents the pale to medium gray-green protective finish repeatedly documented on German metal panels, fittings and structural components. Its strongest use is as a practical German metalwork color rather than as a blanket interior color for all manufacturers.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Albatros metal fittings, engine-area structure and related components where gray-green is documented.
• Other German WWI metalwork and fittings when aircraft-specific references call for gray-green.

Modeling / research note: Manufacturer practice varied. Aircraft-specific evidence overrides this generic recommendation.

SCA901 - German Light Gray

Historical designation / identity: German light-gray metal/strut finish

Application type: Metal panels, struts and fittings

Period / scope: Primarily early-war applications where a light-gray rather than gray-green finish is documented

Description: SCA901 represents the light-gray family seen on some early German metal panels and struts. It is intentionally broader than a manufacturer-specific camouflage color.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Early Albatros and other German aircraft where references describe light-gray metalwork or struts.

1 Albatros / OAW Family

Albatros chronology rule Early Albatros fighters used red/rust-brown and green combinations; during 1917 reddish-brown upper camouflage was progressively replaced by green plus mauve/lilac. Later D.V/D.Va aircraft may also use printed camouflage fabric. Model, builder, date and painted-versus-printed surfaces must be resolved before colors are recommended.

SCA902 - German Albatross D.I - D.III Red Brown

Historical designation / identity: Early Albatros reddish/rust-brown camouflage

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: D.I, D.II and early D.III painted schemes

Description: Represents the red-brown/rust-brown member of the early Albatros camouflage family before the 1917 transition away from red-brown upper colors.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Albatros D.I and D.II upper camouflage.
• Early Albatros D.III schemes where red-brown is documented.

Modeling / research note: Pair with the appropriate early Albatros green or greens rather than assuming a universal pattern.

SCA903 - German Albatross D.I - D. III Dk. Green

Historical designation / identity: Early Albatros dark green

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: D.I-D.III painted schemes

Description: Represents the darker green component of early Albatros two- and three-color upper camouflage.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Albatros D.I-D.III painted upper surfaces.

Modeling / research note: Use with SCA902 and/or SCA904 according to the specific aircraft and production period.

SCA904 - German Albatross D.I - D.III Lt. Green

Historical designation / identity: Early Albatros light green

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: D.I-D.III painted schemes and transitional two-green applications

Description: Represents the lighter green component of the early Albatros palette and related transitional green combinations.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Albatros D.II/D.III three-color and two-green applications where documented.

Modeling / research note: Do not assume every early Albatros used both SCA903 and SCA904.

SCA905 - German Albatross D.V Lilac

Historical designation / identity: Albatros D.V/D.Va mauve-lilac camouflage component

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: 1917-18 painted D.V/D.Va flying surfaces

Description: Represents the mauve/lilac component of the familiar later Albatros green-and-lilac painted-wing family.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Albatros D.V/D.Va painted upper flying surfaces.

Modeling / research note: Later aircraft may instead use printed camouflage fabric; determine the covering system before recommending this color.

SCA906 - German Albatross D.V Dark Green

Historical designation / identity: Albatros D.V/D.Va green camouflage component

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: 1917-18 painted D.V/D.Va flying surfaces

Description: Green partner to SCA905 on later painted Albatros flying surfaces.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Albatros D.V/D.Va painted upper flying surfaces with lilac/mauve.

Modeling / research note: Printed lozenge/Tarnstoff is a separate covering system and should not be replaced by this pair.

SCA907 - German Albatross-OAW Deep Green

Historical designation / identity: OAW deep green

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: OAW-built Albatros schemes where this palette is documented

Description: Represents the deep-green component of the OAW camouflage family.

Typical applications / relationships:

• OAW-built Albatros aircraft using the deep-green/light-green/brown family.

Modeling / research note: Builder identification matters; do not transfer the OAW palette automatically to Albatros-built aircraft.

SCA908 - German Albatross-OAW Burnt Sienna

Historical designation / identity: OAW reddish/burnt-sienna brown

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: OAW-built Albatros schemes where brown is documented

Description: Represents the reddish-brown/burnt-sienna component associated with the OAW palette.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Appropriate OAW-built Albatros camouflage where reddish brown is supported.

Modeling / research note: Use as an OAW-specific palette color, not as a universal German brown.

SCA909 - German Albatross-OAW Light Green

Historical designation / identity: OAW light green

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: OAW-built Albatros schemes

Description: Lighter green component of the OAW upper-camouflage palette.

Typical applications / relationships:

• OAW Albatros applications with deep green and/or burnt-sienna brown.

Modeling / research note: Aircraft-specific pattern evidence controls the combination.

SCA910 - German Albatross-OAW Pale Blue

Historical designation / identity: OAW pale blue

Application type: Underside / lower flying-surface finish

Period / scope: OAW-built Albatros subjects where pale-blue undersides are documented

Description: Represents the pale-blue underside interpretation associated with OAW-built Albatros aircraft.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Lower flying surfaces and other documented pale-blue areas on OAW subjects.

Modeling / research note: Do not assume all German pale blues were identical.

SCA911 - German Albatross-Junkers Sky Blue

Historical designation / identity: German Albatros/Junkers pale sky-blue family

Application type: Underside / lower-surface finish

Period / scope: Documented Albatros and Junkers applications

Description: A broader German pale sky-blue interpretation for aircraft where surviving evidence or specialist research supports a stronger sky-blue/turquoise-blue than the OAW pale-blue treatment.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Documented Albatros and Junkers underside/sky-blue applications.

Modeling / research note: Aircraft-specific evidence should decide between SCA910, SCA911 and other lower-surface interpretations.

2 DFW C.V

DFW palette rule SCA912-SCA915 are a DFW C.V palette, not a mandatory four-color set. Contemporary descriptions and surviving evidence show green/mauve, green/brown and other combinations, while DFW C.Vs were built by multiple manufacturers. Determine builder and individual-aircraft evidence whenever possible.

SCA912 - German DFW C.V Green

Historical designation / identity: DFW C.V green-family camouflage color

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period / scope: DFW C.V subjects with documented green camouflage

Description: Represents a principal green component in the varied DFW C.V camouflage family.

Typical applications / relationships:

• DFW C.V green-and-brown or green-and-mauve combinations where documented.

Modeling / research note: Do not present this as one universal DFW green.

SCA913 - German DFW C.V Clear Doped Linen

Historical designation / identity: Clear-doped / natural-linen appearance

Application type: Fabric lower surfaces / unpainted doped fabric

Period / scope: DFW C.V aircraft where clear-doped natural linen is documented

Description: Represents the warm natural-linen appearance seen on some DFW C.V lower or fabric surfaces.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Lower fabric surfaces and other clear-doped areas on applicable DFW C.Vs.

Modeling / research note: Other DFW aircraft may show pale painted or differently finished undersides; check subject evidence.

SCA914 - German DFW C.V Brown

Historical designation / identity: DFW C.V brown-family camouflage color

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period / scope: DFW C.V subjects with documented brown camouflage

Description: Represents the brown component found in documented DFW green/brown families.

Typical applications / relationships:

• DFW C.V upper camouflage where brown is supported.

Modeling / research note: Builder and aircraft-specific evidence control use.

SCA915 - German DFW C.V Purple

Historical designation / identity: DFW C.V mauve/purple/gray-violet camouflage family

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period / scope: DFW C.V subjects with documented mauve/purple/gray-violet components

Description: Represents the purple/mauve side of the documented DFW palette.

Typical applications / relationships:

• DFW C.V green-and-purple/mauve camouflage where documented.

Modeling / research note: Treat as a palette component, not a required color on every DFW C.V.

3 Fokker

Fokker streaking rule Fokker streak camouflage is a technique, not just a hue. Brush loading, paint density, underlying fabric and direction of application create the visual result. The AI should recommend both the appropriate color and the streaking method.

SCA916 - German Fokker DR.I Olive

Historical designation / identity: Fokker olive streaking color

Application type: Exterior streaked camouflage

Period / scope: Fokker Dr.I and closely related factory streaking applications

Description: Represents the dark olive paint used in the classic Fokker streaked finish. Its apparent light and dark variation comes largely from how densely the paint was brushed over the underlying fabric.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Fokker Dr.I upper and side streaking where factory olive treatment is documented.

Modeling / research note: Avoid painting this as one opaque, uniform olive field; the streaking technique is historically central to the appearance.

SCA917 - German Fokker Light Turquiose

Historical designation / identity: Fokker light turquoise / blue underside family

Application type: Undersides and lower fabric surfaces

Period / scope: Fokker Dr.I and related subjects where turquoise lower surfaces are documented

Description: Represents the distinctive light turquoise-blue associated with Fokker lower surfaces.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Fokker Dr.I lower wings and underside areas where the turquoise finish is documented.

Modeling / research note: Commercial spelling retained as supplied; historical description is light turquoise.

SCA918 - German Fokker D.VII Dk Green Streaking

Historical designation / identity: Dark modeling tone for early Fokker D.VII streaking

Application type: Exterior streaked camouflage

Period / scope: Early Fokker-built D.VII aircraft with streaked factory camouflage

Description: Provides the darker modeling tone for reproducing dense areas of early Fokker D.VII streaked camouflage.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Early Fokker-built D.VII streaked upper surfaces.

Modeling / research note: Do not imply that this and SCA919 were necessarily two separately specified factory paints; the visual light/dark effect could be produced by one paint applied at different densities.

SCA919 - German Fokker D.VII Lt. Green Streaking

Historical designation / identity: Light modeling tone for early Fokker D.VII streaking

Application type: Exterior streaked camouflage / tonal variation

Period / scope: Early Fokker-built D.VII aircraft with streaked camouflage

Description: Provides a lighter modeling tone useful for reproducing thin, translucent or weathered areas of Fokker D.VII streaking.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Use with SCA918 to build the visual variation of early Fokker D.VII streaking.

Modeling / research note: Most later D.VIIs used printed camouflage fabric; never return this pair automatically for every D.VII.

4 Junkers

SCA920 - German Junkers Lilac

Historical designation / identity: Junkers pale lilac / mauve camouflage component

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period / scope: Junkers J.I/D.I subjects where lilac/mauve is documented

Description: Represents the pale lilac/mauve component documented in Junkers camouflage. Contemporary descriptions and specialist research generally favor a subdued, pale lilac rather than a vivid purple.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Junkers J.I and D.I green/lilac applications where documented.

Modeling / research note: Use subject evidence to establish whether the aircraft carried painted camouflage or another finish.

SCA921 - German Junkers J.I Green

Historical designation / identity: Junkers J.I pale/mossy green

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period / scope: Junkers J.I

Description: Represents the pale to mossy green commonly associated with Junkers J.I camouflage.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Junkers J.I upper surfaces with lilac/mauve where documented.

Modeling / research note: Pattern and tonal intensity can vary; do not universalize one profile.

SCA922 - Germand Junkers D.I Dark Green

Historical designation / identity: Junkers D.I darker-green interpretation

Application type: Exterior camouflage

Period / scope: Junkers D.I where a darker green is supported

Description: Represents the darker green side of documented Junkers D.I green/mauve camouflage interpretations.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Junkers D.I subjects with darker green upper camouflage.

Modeling / research note: Do not claim a universal official D.I "dark green" standard separate from the J.I family; aircraft-specific evidence controls the recommendation.

5 Halberstadt CL.II

Halberstadt palette rule SCA923-SCA930 form a Halberstadt CL.II scumble/mottle palette. Captured-aircraft reports describe colors arranged in indefinite areas and shading into one another. These are not eight colors that must appear simultaneously on every CL.II; production period and individual-aircraft evidence matter.

SCA923 - German Halberstadt CL.II Gray Purple

Historical designation / identity: Halberstadt gray-purple scumble component

Application type: Exterior fuselage / center-section camouflage

Period / scope: Halberstadt CL.II multicolor scumbled finishes

Description: Represents the gray-purple component documented in specialist interpretations of Halberstadt CL.II camouflage.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Multicolor CL.II fuselage/center-section scumble where gray-purple is supported.

Modeling / research note: Blend/scumble rather than hard-edge block camouflage unless the specific aircraft indicates otherwise.

SCA924 - German Halberstadt CL.II Dk. Prussian Blue

Historical designation / identity: Halberstadt dark Prussian-blue component

Application type: Exterior fuselage / center-section camouflage

Period / scope: Halberstadt CL.II multicolor finishes

Description: Represents the dark blue component described in captured-aircraft/specialist research.

Typical applications / relationships:

• II multicolor fuselage scumble where dark blue is documented.

Modeling / research note: Modern FS comparison values are only approximate references.

SCA925 - German Halberstadt CL.II Blue Light-Gray

Historical designation / identity: Halberstadt bluish light-gray component

Application type: Exterior fuselage / center-section camouflage

Period / scope: Halberstadt CL.II multicolor finishes

Description: Represents the bluish light-gray member of the Halberstadt palette.

Typical applications / relationships:

• II scumbled areas where bluish light gray is supported.

Modeling / research note: Treat as one part of a blended palette, not a universal base coat.

SCA926 - German Halberstadt CL.II Pale Blue

Historical designation / identity: Halberstadt pale-blue family

Application type: Underside / pale-blue component

Period / scope: Early/prototype and other documented Halberstadt applications

Description: Represents the very pale blue documented on some Halberstadt applications and useful within the broader CL.II finish family.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Applicable underside or pale-blue areas on Halberstadt subjects.

Modeling / research note: Early and later production finishes can differ significantly.

SCA927 - German Halberstadt Brown Khaki

Historical designation / identity: Halberstadt brownish-khaki component

Application type: Exterior fuselage / center-section camouflage

Period / scope: Halberstadt CL.II multicolor finishes

Description: Represents the brownish-khaki component documented in specialist descriptions.

Typical applications / relationships:

• II multicolor fuselage scumble where brown-khaki is supported.

Modeling / research note: Do not substitute automatically for all brown areas without subject evidence.

SCA928 - German Halberstadt CL.II Cloudy Yellow

Historical designation / identity: Halberstadt "cloudy yellow" component

Application type: Exterior fuselage / center-section camouflage

Period / scope: Captured Halberstadt CL.II multicolor finish

Description: Represents the cloudy-yellow component specifically described in a captured-aircraft report.

Typical applications / relationships:

• II multicolor scumble where cloudy yellow is documented.

Modeling / research note: This is one of the stronger named provenance links in the Halberstadt palette.

SCA929 - German Halberstadt CL.II Dark Green

Historical designation / identity: Halberstadt dark-green component

Application type: Exterior fuselage / center-section camouflage

Period / scope: Halberstadt CL.II multicolor finishes

Description: Represents the documented dark-green member of the Halberstadt palette.

Typical applications / relationships:

• II fuselage/center-section scumble where dark green is supported.

Modeling / research note: Printed camouflage fabric on flying surfaces is a separate system.

SCA930 - German Halberstadt CL.II Light Green

Historical designation / identity: Halberstadt light-green component

Application type: Exterior fuselage / center-section camouflage

Period / scope: Halberstadt CL.II multicolor finishes

Description: Represents the documented light-green member of the Halberstadt palette.

Typical applications / relationships:

• II fuselage/center-section scumble where light green is supported.

Modeling / research note: Use with the palette appropriate to the individual aircraft rather than as a mandatory companion to every other Halberstadt color.

6 Pfalz D.XII

Pfalz D.XII decision rule The D.XII appears in more than one recognizable factory/aircraft finish family. Early aircraft may retain Silbergrau fuselages with printed camouflage fabric; later multicolor examples can fall into purple/gray/green or brown/green families. Determine the individual aircraft before recommending SCA931-SCA935.

SCA931 - German Pfalz D.XII Purple

Historical designation / identity: Pfalz D.XII purple camouflage component

Application type: Exterior fuselage camouflage

Period / scope: D.XII multicolor schemes where purple is documented

Description: Represents the purple component of the documented purple/gray/green D.XII family.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Captured or researched D.XII subjects showing purple in the multicolor fuselage sequence.

Modeling / research note: Not applicable to every D.XII; early Silbergrau and brown/green subjects require different treatment.

SCA932 - German Pfalz D.XII Dark Green

Historical designation / identity: Pfalz D.XII dark-green camouflage component

Application type: Exterior fuselage camouflage

Period / scope: Multicolor D.XII schemes

Description: Represents the darker green found in documented Pfalz D.XII multicolor camouflage.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Purple/gray/green and brown/green D.XII families where dark green is supported.

Modeling / research note: Aircraft-specific color sequence matters.

SCA933 - German Pfalz D.XII Brown

Historical designation / identity: Pfalz D.XII brown camouflage component

Application type: Exterior fuselage camouflage

Period / scope: D.XII brown/green family

Description: Represents the brown component documented on surviving/captured D.XII aircraft in the brown/green family.

Typical applications / relationships:

• XII subjects matching the brown/green multicolor interpretation.

Modeling / research note: Do not combine automatically with the purple family.

SCA934 - German Pfalz D.XII Medium Gray

Historical designation / identity: Pfalz D.XII medium-gray camouflage component

Application type: Exterior fuselage camouflage

Period / scope: Purple/gray/green D.XII family

Description: Represents the medium-gray component documented in one captured D.XII multicolor sequence.

Typical applications / relationships:

• XII subjects with purple/gray/green fuselage camouflage.

Modeling / research note: Gray is not a universal Pfalz D.XII finish; Silbergrau is a separate early finish.

SCA935 - German Pfalz D.XII Light Green

Historical designation / identity: Pfalz D.XII light-green / pea-green component

Application type: Exterior fuselage camouflage

Period / scope: Multicolor D.XII schemes

Description: Represents the lighter green component documented in D.XII camouflage sequences.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Applicable purple/gray/green and related multicolor D.XII subjects.

Modeling / research note: Subject-specific pattern and sequence control use.

French WWI Aircraft Colors

French WWI structure The French range contains two distinct systems: an earlier two-color green/brown family used on 1916-era subjects such as Nieuports, and the standardized late-war five-color upper camouflage introduced in 1917. Do not mix the two systems merely because both are French.

SCA936 - French Two-Color Green

Historical designation / identity: French 1916-era green camouflage interpretation

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: Especially 1916 Nieuport-family two-color schemes

Description: Represents the green component of the early French sprayed/painted two-color camouflage family. Exact shades and patterns are less securely standardized than the later five-color system.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Nieuport 11/16 and early Nieuport 17-family subjects where green/brown camouflage is supported.

Modeling / research note: Treat as a practical community-consensus interpretation, not a universal chip-level standard.

SCA937 - French Two-Color Brown

Historical designation / identity: French 1916-era brown camouflage interpretation

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: Especially 1916 Nieuport-family two-color schemes

Description: Represents the brown component paired with SCA936 in early French green/brown camouflage.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Nieuport 11/16 and early related fighters where green/brown camouflage is documented.

Modeling / research note: Pattern and underside treatment must be determined from the specific aircraft.

1 French Five-Color Camouflage

French five-color rule The standardized late-war French five-color system consists of five upper-surface camouflage colors: dark green, light green, chestnut, beige and black. The complete aircraft scheme also requires an underside finish. Squadron currently has no dedicated French five-color underside SKU; this is an acknowledged development gap and must not be papered over with British Clear Doped Linen by default.

SCA938 - French Five-Color Dark Green

Historical designation / identity: French five-color dark green

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: Late 1917-18 French standardized five-color schemes

Description: Represents the dark-green component of the standardized French five-color upper camouflage system.

Typical applications / relationships:

• SPAD XIII, Nieuport 28, Breguet XIV, Salmson 2A2, Morane-Saulnier A.I and other subjects where the standardized five-color system is documented.

Modeling / research note: Pattern was manufacturer/subcontractor dependent; do not assume one universal national pattern.

SCA939 - Frenach Five-Color Light Green

Historical designation / identity: French five-color light green

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: Late 1917-18 French standardized five-color schemes

Description: Represents the light-green component of the French five-color upper camouflage system.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Use with the remaining five-color palette on documented late-war French subjects.

Modeling / research note: Commercial product spelling retained as supplied; historical identity is French five-color light green.

SCA940 - French Five Color Chestnut

Historical designation / identity: French five-color chestnut brown

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: Late 1917-18 French standardized five-color schemes

Description: Represents the chestnut-brown component of the French five-color upper camouflage system.

Typical applications / relationships:

• SPAD, Nieuport, Breguet, Salmson and other five-color subjects where documented.

Modeling / research note: Fabric and metal surfaces could render nominal colors differently because the physical coating systems differed.

SCA941 - French Five-Color Beige

Historical designation / identity: French five-color beige

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: Late 1917-18 French standardized five-color schemes

Description: Represents the beige component of the French five-color upper camouflage system.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Documented five-color French aircraft.

Modeling / research note: Do not confuse the beige camouflage component with the separate underside finish requirement.

SCA942 - French Five-Color Black

Historical designation / identity: French five-color black

Application type: Exterior upper camouflage

Period / scope: Late 1917-18 French standardized five-color schemes

Description: Represents the black component of the French five-color upper camouflage system.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Documented late-war French five-color camouflage.

Modeling / research note: Historical identity remains the French five-color black component even if the modern Squadron formulation overlaps another black product.

British WWI Aircraft Colors

British finish rule PC10, PC12 and clear-doped linen are finish families, not immutable modern chips. Pigments, carrier/varnish, substrate, application, aging and surviving-material condition can all affect appearance. Current research increasingly favors brown/mud-brown interpretations of PC10 over the bright "RFC green" once common in older hobby references.

SCA943 - British PC10

Historical designation / identity: British PC10 protective camouflage finish

Application type: Exterior upper and side protective camouflage

Period / scope: RFC/RAF aircraft where PC10 is documented

Description: Represents Squadron's practical interpretation of PC10 within the historically documented brown/olive-brown family. Current research should not be reduced to one perfect modern chip.

Typical applications / relationships:

• British WWI aircraft whose specifications or reliable research call for PC10.

Modeling / research note: Avoid treating PC10 as a vivid standardized green. Aircraft/date and surviving evidence can influence appearance.

SCA944 - British PC12

Historical designation / identity: British PC12 protective camouflage finish

Application type: Exterior protective camouflage

Period / scope: Aircraft and theaters where PC12 is specifically documented

Description: Represents the darker brown/chocolate family associated with PC12.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Use on subjects specifically supported as PC12 rather than as a generic "late-war British brown."

Modeling / research note: Older strongly red-brown interpretations may overstate the red component; current specialist research favors a dark chocolate/brown family.

SCA945 - British Battleship Gray

Historical designation / identity: British Battleship Grey aircraft component finish

Application type: Metal panels, struts, undercarriage, nacelles and related components

Period / scope: WWI British aircraft where Battleship Grey is documented

Description: Represents the gray finish commonly described on forward metal panels, struts, undercarriage and other non-fabric components on British aircraft.

Typical applications / relationships:

• E.8, F.E.8 and other British subjects where contemporary or specialist evidence identifies Battleship Grey.

Modeling / research note: Do not infer that this is a Royal Navy ship-paint specification merely from the name.

SCA946 - British Clear Doped Linen

Historical designation / identity: Clear-doped natural linen appearance

Application type: Fabric undersides / unpigmented doped fabric

Period / scope: British WWI aircraft and other documented CDL applications

Description: Represents the warm cream/straw/buff visual result of clear dope over natural linen. It is an appearance produced by fabric plus clear coating rather than an opaque standardized pigment color.

Typical applications / relationships:

• Lower surfaces and other CDL areas on British aircraft where documented.

Modeling / research note: Apparent shade varies with linen, number of dope/varnish coats, aging and lighting. Do not use automatically as the missing French five-color underside.

Scheme / Subject Application Map

Subject / scheme	Squadron starting point	Decision note
Early Albatros D.I-D.III painted camouflage	SCA902 + SCA903 and/or SCA904	Resolve model, production date and documented pattern; early red-brown/green family.
Albatros D.V/D.Va painted green-lilac wings	SCA905 + SCA906; appropriate pale-blue underside	Check whether the aircraft used painted surfaces or printed camouflage fabric.
OAW-built Albatros palette	SCA907 + SCA908 + SCA909; SCA910 below where documented	Builder-specific; do not transfer automatically to Albatros-built aircraft.
DFW C.V	Select from SCA912-SCA915	Palette, not a four-color mandate; builder and individual-aircraft evidence matter.
Fokker Dr.I	SCA916 streaking + SCA917 lower surfaces	Application density is central to the appearance.
Early Fokker-built D.VII streaking	SCA918 + SCA919 as modeling tones	Light/dark may represent density variation rather than two factory-specified greens; later D.VIIs often use printed fabric.
Junkers J.I	SCA921 + SCA920 where green/lilac scheme is documented	SCA911 may be relevant below depending on subject research.
Halberstadt CL.II scumbled fuselage	Select from SCA923-SCA930	Use individual aircraft / production-period evidence; not all eight colors are mandatory.
Pfalz D.XII multicolor fuselage	SCA931-SCA935 according to documented family	Distinguish purple/gray/green from brown/green families; early Silbergrau remains separate.
French 1916 two-color camouflage	SCA936 + SCA937	Especially Nieuport family; pattern and underside are subject-specific.
French late-war five-color upper camouflage	SCA938 + SCA939 + SCA940 + SCA941 + SCA942	Complete scheme still requires a separate underside finish; no dedicated Squadron SKU yet.
British PC10 aircraft	SCA943 + appropriate CDL/other lower finish	PC10 is a brown/olive-brown family, not one universal green chip.
British PC12 subject	SCA944 + appropriate lower/component finishes	Use only where PC12 is specifically supported.
British clear-doped linen	SCA946	Warm natural linen + clear dope appearance; not opaque paint.

 

Bibliography and Sources

Research references are collected here so the color-selection chapters remain concise. Chapter entries below preserve the source framework used in the individual master documents.

Common commercial source

• Squadron Colors catalog / product chart supplied for this project - canonical source for current SKU numbers and commercial product names. This document was researched, written and compiled by Jeff Herne.

U.S. Aircraft Colors

Preferred / Primary Source Stack

ID	Source	Role	Link
SRC-001	IPMS Stockholm - Urban Fredriksson, Color Reference Charts Part I	Preferred aircraft historical/color reference	Open source https://www.ipmsstockholm.se/home/urbans-color-reference-charts-part-i/
SRC-002	IPMS Stockholm - Urban Fredriksson, Colour Reference Charts Part II	Preferred hobby-paint equivalence/cross-reference	Open source https://www.ipmsstockholm.se/home/urbans-colour-reference-charts-part-ii/
SRC-003	Cybermodeler	Preferred aircraft scheme/application reference	Open source https://www.cybermodeler.com/
SRC-004	Cybermodeler - ANA Color Table	ANA designations and cross-reference	Open source https://www.cybermodeler.com/color/ana_table.shtml
SRC-005	Cybermodeler - Federal Standard Color Table	Federal Standard color identities	Open source https://www.cybermodeler.com/color/fs_table.shtml
SRC-006	Cybermodeler - Pre-WWII U.S. Navy Aircraft Colors	Prewar USN section/identification colors	Open source https://www.cybermodeler.com/color/usn_preww2.shtml
SRC-007	U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command - Aircraft Markings	Official historical markings reference	Open source https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/naval-aviation-history/aircraft-markings.html
SRC-008	Defense Logistics Agency / ASSIST / Quick Search	Official U.S. standards and specifications portal	Open source https://quicksearch.dla.mil/

 

Scheme / Application References Consulted

• SRC-101 - Cybermodeler - F-104 Southeast Asia camouflage: SEA four-color combination - link - https://cybermodeler.com/aircraft/f-104/f-104_sea.shtml
• SRC-102 - Cybermodeler - F-14 Tactical Paint Scheme: F-14 TPS grays - link - https://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/f-14/f-14_profile02.shtml
• SRC-103 - Cybermodeler - F-16 gray scheme: F-16 gray relationships - link - https://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/f-16/f-16c_profile02.shtml
• SRC-104 - Cybermodeler - F-35B Have Glass V: FS36170 / Have Glass application - link - https://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/f-35/f-35b_profile01.shtml
• SRC-105 - U.S. Air Force SIG - F-15 Air Superiority Blue Scheme: Early F-15 scheme - link - https://usaf-sig.org/index.php/component/content/article/153-f-15-air-superiority-blue-scheme
• SRC-106 - Cybermodeler - early F-15 decal/reference material: Early F-15 Air Superiority Blue context - link - https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/decals/caracal/decal_caracal_48150.shtml
• SRC-107 - Cybermodeler - F4U multi-color scheme reference: USN 1943 multi-color placement/examples - link - https://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/f4u/f4u_profile02.shtml

Dana Bell Research / Archived Discussions Used During Compilation

• SRC-201 - Dana Bell discussion: U.S. Blue Gray formulation and 1942 revision - link - https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/hyperscale/seeking-info-on-navy-non-spec-blue-gray-t219068.html
• SRC-202 - Dana Bell discussion/archive: U.S. interior colors including Bronze Green No. 9, Dull Dark Green, Yellow Green and Interior Green - link
• SRC-203 - Dana Bell discussion/archive: ANA 603 / Neutral Gray relationship - link - https://www.arcair.com/tnt1/101-200/tnt187-painting-Rapasi/00.shtm

Supplemental Secondary References

• SRC-301 - The World Wars - USAF camouflage reference - link - https://www.theworldwars.net/resources/file.php?r=camo_usaf
• SRC-302 - The World Wars - U.S. Navy camouflage reference - link - https://www.theworldwars.net/resources/file.php?r=camo_usn
• SRC-303 - The World Wars - USMC camouflage reference - link - https://www.theworldwars.net/resources/file.php?r=camo_usmc
• SRC-304 - The World Wars - U.S. Army Aviation camouflage reference - link - https://www.theworldwars.net/resources/file.php?r=camo_usaa

Japanese Aircraft Colors

• J-Aircraft.com - Japanese Aircraft Color FAQ / David Aiken archive - https://j-aircraft.com/faq/aircraft_colors.htm
• J-Aircraft.com - IJNAF Colors - https://j-aircraft.com/faq/IJNAF_Colors.htm
• J-Aircraft.com - IJNAF Colors, Part 2 - https://j-aircraft.com/faq/IJNAF_Colors_pt2.htm
• J-Aircraft.com - A6M Zero color research, Part 2 - https://j-aircraft.com/faq/A6M_pt2.htm
• J-Aircraft.com - IJA Colors - https://j-aircraft.com/faq/ija_colors.htm
• J-Aircraft.com - Japanese aircraft paint research / acrylic comparisons - https://j-aircraft.com/research/amacryl.htm
• Nick Millman - Aviation of Japan: Japan Aircraft Standard 8609 - Aircraft Paint Standard - http://www.aviationofjapan.com/2023/10/japan-aircraft-standard-8609-aircraft.html
• Nick Millman - Aviation of Japan - http://www.aviationofjapan.com/

Great Britain Aircraft Colors

• Primary source: Jeff Herne, Modelling British Aircraft of World War II (The Crowood Press, 2020), especially Chapter Nine, "Royal Air Force Camouflage and Markings 1939-45," and the RAF colour table and discussion of practical color variation.
• Supplied source material: RAF color chart / usage table supplied with this project, including wartime usage notes for Dark Green, Dark Earth, Medium Sea Grey, Dark Sea Grey, Light Slate Grey, Extra Dark Sea Grey, Sky Grey, Sky/Type S and Middle Stone.

References cited in the manuscript bibliography:

• Air Publication 2656A, External Colour of Aircraft, December 1944.
• Ministry of Aircraft Production Colour Standards.
• Air Ministry Orders A.1246/43 and A.864/44.
• British Aviation Colours of World War Two, Volume 3 (Arms and Armour Press, 1976).
• Camouflage and Markings: RAF Fighter Command Northern Europe, 1936-45 (Ducimus Books, 1970).
• Aircraft Camouflage and Markings, 1907-1954 (Aero Publishers, 1956).
• Lancaster in Action (Squadron Signal Publications, 1982).
• Hurricane Walkaround (Squadron Signal Publications, 1998).

German Aircraft Colors

• Primary documentary framework. L.Dv. 521/1 (including the November 1941 revision), 1944 Sammelmitteilungen, surviving Oberflaechenschutzlisten, manufacturer finishing instructions, period drawings and other RLM/manufacturer documentation form the top evidentiary layer for the German section.
• Michael Ullmann, Luftwaffe Colours 1935-1945 - Major archival synthesis of RLM documentation and surviving evidence; especially important for late-war colors and production practice.
• Michael Ullmann, "RLM 83 Dark Blue" - Article presenting Test Order E2-45/31 documentary evidence for RLM 83 as dark blue. ClubHyper / HyperScale reference page.
• Kenneth A. Merrick / Thomas H. Hitchcock and related Luftwaffe camouflage studies - Long-standing documentary and artifact-based work useful for historical development and comparison with later interpretations.
• Luftwaffe RLM camouflage colors - Encyclopaedia Romana / Penelope, University of Chicago - Accessible secondary overview quoting and organizing period color regulations; useful as a reference gateway, not a replacement for the primary documents.

Russian / Soviet Aircraft Colors

• WWII VVS primary working source: Massimo Tessitori, Sovietwarplanes Pages. The site combines translated/documentary material, color tables, painting-standard chronology, surviving sample discussion, photographs and aircraft-specific analysis. It is treated here as the principal synthesis for practical Soviet WWII modeling recommendations, while preserving its distinction between documented facts, intended standards and uncertain photographic interpretation.
• Sovietwarplanes Pages - main index: https://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/index.html
• Painting of newly-built Soviet warplanes, June 1941-September 1943: https://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/colors/1941-43/1941-43.html
• Camouflage of Soviet fighters, September 1943-1945: https://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/colors/1943-45-fighters/1943-45.html
• General table of Soviet aircraft colors: https://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/colors/color-table.html
• 1945-48 wartime models / transition material: https://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/colors/1945-50-oldtypes/1945-50-oldtypes.html
• Modern Soviet/Russian aircraft color overview - The World Wars.net: https://www.theworldwars.net/resources/file.php?r=camo_vvsmod

Italian Aircraft Colors

• Principal project reference: Vince Tassone, "Regia Aeronautica and ANR Colors and Camouflage Schemes," STORMO!, last revised March 2026. https://www.stormomagazine.com/RegiaAeronauticaColorsinWWII_3a.htm
• Supporting color-study reference: Stefano Lazzaro, "Colori Ufficialmente Impiegati Dall'Aviazione Italiana 1916-1943 - VITO Charts," STORMO!, April 2020. https://www.stormomagazine.com/RegiaAeronauticaColorsinWWII_VitoCharts.htm
• Interior-detail discussion: S. Lazzaro related STORMO! forum discussion linked from the main color guide, including Re.2005/Reggiane interior color evidence. https://stormomagazine.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1582
• Commercial product source: Squadron Colors catalog PDF supplied by the user. Commercial SKU names in this document are preserved from that catalog.

Polish Aircraft Colors

• pl / Grzegorz Mazurowski: "Tajemnice polskiego khaki" (Secrets of Polish Khaki). Discusses the Nobiles chart, surviving PZL P.11c paint layers, archaeological evidence, and the early/medium/late Polish khaki chronology. https://www.modelpaint.pl/2017/06/24/tajemnice-polskiego-khaki/
• Arma Hobby / Wojtek Bulhak: "PZL P.7a colours and markings." Summarizes Polish prewar color research, Nobiles references, early/medium/late khaki, blue-gray undersides and overhaul repainting. https://armahobbynews.pl/en/blog/2017/06/19/pzl-p-7a-colours-and-markings-70005-70006-70007-70008/
• Arma Hobby aircraft-specific research: PZL P.7a and P.11 family articles and marking studies are useful for tying color chronology to particular aircraft, production periods and repainting histories. https://armahobbynews.pl/
• pl source archive: "Malowanie polskich samolotow wojskowych (1924-26)." Reproduces and interprets period Polish painting-order language and clearly distinguishes original documentary evidence from modern reconstruction. https://archiwum.plastikowe.pl/materialy-zrodlowe/malowanie-polskich-samolotow-wojskowych-1924-26
• Polish Aviation Museum, Krakow: Custodian of the surviving PZL P.11c and PWS-26, both important physical reference aircraft for Polish interwar aviation research. PZL P.11c: https://muzeumlotnictwa.pl/en/eksponaty/pzl-p-11c-2/ ; PWS-26: https://muzeumlotnictwa.pl/en/exhibits/pws-26-2/
• Specialized Lublin R-XIII discussions: Polish modeling and historical discussions preserve useful references to surviving factory specifications, Nobiles color numbers and continuing uncertainty over the exact R-XIII palette. These are supporting evidence rather than the primary authority because conclusions remain unsettled.
• Commercial product source: Squadron Colors catalog PDF supplied by the user. Commercial SKU names in this document are preserved from that catalog.

French Aircraft Colors

Source / reference	Use in this guide
French Air Ministry camouflage framework / Circulaire No. 1422, 6 December 1938	Period directive cited and reproduced in modern specialist research. It establishes the late-1930s camouflage framework and names the authorized color/pigment family used with Kaki and Gris Bleu Clair.
Christian-Jacques Ehrengardt - Camouflage & Marques de l'Aviation Francaise 1939-45	Modern specialist study repeatedly cited in French-aircraft color research; useful for the December 1938 directive and scheme chronology.
Peewit - Authentic Color Shades / French Air Force 1938-42	https://peewit.wixsite.com/masky/kopie-autentick%C3%A9-odst%C3%ADny-barev?lang=en Uses surviving original paint on the Finnish Caudron C.714 and a facsimile of the period Pyrolac factory color chart corresponding to the Ministry regulation. Particularly useful for Gris Bleu Fonce, Gris Bleu Clair, Kaki, Vert, Ombre Calcinee and Sienne Naturelle.
Jan Hermkens - Vitocharts: France Armee de l'Air / Aeronavale 1900-1945 Official Colour Chart	https://www.janhermkens.nl/Downloads.htm Secondary chart/research compilation retained as a comparative reference and source trail. Any FS numbers are comparison values only.
Master194.com - Teintes, Camouflages et Marquages	https://master194.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6794 French-language specialist discussion quoting official/technical color practice for exteriors and interiors; useful for Kaki, Gris Bleu Clair, Gris Bleu Fonce, Brun, Bleu de Nuit and Chamois chronology.
Britmodeller - Dewoitine D.520 color confusion	https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235056209-dewoitine-d520-color-confusion/ Secondary discussion containing quotations and summaries from the D.520 technical notice, the 1938 circular and French specialist contributors. Useful as a route back to original terminology; not treated as a primary standard by itself.
Britmodeller - Dewoitine D.510 Dark Green camo Question	https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235059258-dewoitine-d510-dark-green-camo-question/ Secondary discussion documenting the existence of a 1939 official camouflage chart and observations of original colors on surviving wreckage from multiple French aircraft types.
IPMS Stockholm / Urban Fredriksson - French Color Reference Charts	Older modeling cross-reference retained as a secondary comparison resource. Its FS references are approximate modern equivalents only and must never be treated as the historical definition of the French colors.

 

World War I Aircraft Colors

Source / reference	Use in this guide
Stuart Malone - principal historical research synthesis for Squadron WWI colors	Core interpretive source for the original SCA900-series program. Synthesized specialist WWI evidence and community consensus. Treat as project provenance, not as a claim that any single modern researcher supersedes original evidence.
Albatros Productions - Windsock Datafile / Datafile Special series	Primary specialist print source stack used across Albatros, Fokker, Halberstadt, Pfalz, French and British WWI subjects. Aircraft-specific volumes, capture reports, photographs, surviving-material discussions and color notes provide the core technical framework.
Over the Front - League of WWI Aviation Historians	Specialist journal source for ongoing WWI aviation research, including color/finish reassessment and artifact-based discussion. https://www.overthefront.com/
The Aerodrome	Long-running specialist WWI aviation research community and discussion archive. Useful for provenance trails, specialist interpretation and identification of primary/printed sources. https://www.theaerodrome.com/
Wingnut Wings historical notes and instruction booklets	Secondary synthesis built from strong specialist research; especially useful for aircraft-specific paint/application summaries and captured/surviving-aircraft notes. Archived material should be treated as secondary to the underlying cited evidence.
Australian War Memorial - surviving German aircraft and material	Artifact and conservation evidence relevant to surviving Albatros D.Va, Pfalz D.XII and other WWI finishes. https://www.awm.gov.au/
Imperial / captured-aircraft reports and contemporary inspection records	Where reproduced in Windsock and other specialist works, captured-aircraft color descriptions are particularly valuable for Halberstadt and Pfalz multicolor finishes.
WWI Aircraft Models / specialist modeling forums	Useful for research trails, especially posts by recognized researchers including Stuart Malone; retain as secondary/community evidence and trace claims back to stronger primary or specialist sources where possible. https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/

 

Note: Bibliography entries support the historical research layer. The customer-facing color guidance intentionally keeps source citations out of individual product descriptions.