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Thread: Color: German Night Bombers

  1. #1

    Default Color: German Night Bombers

    This article covers German night bomber colors and camouflage in the First World War. The primary source is Windsock International, Volume 3, No.4, Winter 1987. There are a handful of fabric samples from German G-type night bombers held by the Imperial War Museum, and the original authors used the Methuen book to compare to the original fabric sources. Hexagon patterns were common, but there was some stippling of the colors and the hexagons were not exactly geometrically precise. As the rest of these posts show, there is a wide variety in the colors used. I suspect some of the fabrics were darker than is shown here, but the Methuen reference only covers through row "F" in darkness while admitting a theoretical "G" and "H" row that are steps closer to black.

    The usual caveats: As always, there was frequently variation in paint color, weathering, varnishing, etc., so this is just a general guide. Unless you've got a high-end, wide-gamut monitor in perfect calibration (and who does?), do not trust the colors you see on your monitor! Instead, visit your local paint store and see if you can find paint samples like the ones listed below and then match your hobby paints or mixes against those. The goal is just to "get close". See 'Color: why we'll never get it exactly right'.

    Entries with an asterisk (*) are excellent matches; entries with question marks (?) have not been formally measured with a color meter and are therefore unconfirmed; hobby paints with tildes (~) are just very rough matches...the best we can do without a custom color mix.

  2. #2

    Default

    Colors from Friedrichshafen G.III 326/17 Bogohl VII/23, 16 Feb 1918:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	GermanNightBomber-FG3-1.png 
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    Methuen/CIElab House Paints and Standards Hobby Paints
    Blackish Blue

    28.99,2.27,-28.2
    Beauti-Tone Too Blue Hue C23-1-1533-3
    Behr Velvet Rope MQ5-58
    Benjamin Moore Patriot Blue 2064-20
    ~Cloverdale Florida Waters 0599~
    *Dulux/Glidden Wild Water 30BB 08/225
    PPG Blue Tang 10-32
    RAL Design 270 30 30
    Sherwin-Williams Dignity Blue 6804
    ~Valspar Precious Sapphire 4010-7~
    ?Vallejo Model Color Prussian Blue 70.965?
    Olive Grey

    40.1,-1.77,9.07
    See French Five-Color Camouflage
    Photo Brown

    29.01,22.52,15.27
    Beauti-Tone/Cloverdale Earthly Pleasure A3-1-0102-3
    * Behr Chipotle Past PPU2-1 *
    Benjamin Moore Arroyo Red 2085-10
    Dulux/Glidden Burgundy 11R 07/229
    NCS1950 S 6030-Y80R
    Pantone 498 C
    * PPG Burgundy Wine 13-03 *
    ** RAL Effect 350-6 **
    ** RAL Red Brown 8012 **
    ~ Sherwin-Williams Fiery Brown 6055 ~
    ~ Valspar Double Chocolate 2011-8
    ? Vallejo Model Color Burnt Red 70.814 ?
    ? Reaper MSP Ruddy Leather 9109 ?
    Raw Umber

    37.77,7.62,29.62
    Behr Clockworks MQ2-9
    Dulux/Glidden Olympic Bronze 20YY 12/263
    * NCS1950 S 6030-Y10R *
    PPG Muddy River 1098-7
    * RAL Design 075 40 30 *
    * Vallejo English Uniform 70.921 *
    ? Reaper MSP Shield Brown 9161 ?
    ? Reaper MSP Rich Leather 9429 ?

    Color matching with 1989 Methuen Handbook of Color and Nix Color sensor
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 03-19-2017 at 14:20.

  3. #3

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    Colors from Gotha G.V 925/16; 19 May 1918:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	GermanNightBomber-G5-1.png 
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    Methuen/CIElab House Paints and Standards Hobby Paints
    Dark Blue

    36.81,-3.7,-7.78
    * Beauti-Tone Saxon Blue CC048-3 *
    Behr Rush Hour MQ5-25
    * Benjamin Moore Lyford Cay Teal OR-400 *
    Cloverdale Deep Water CA203
    DIN6164 TSD 17-1-5
    * Dulux/Glidden Approaching Storm 90BG 11/101 *
    Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue 281
    Pantone 2217 U
    * PPG Goblin 1040-7 *
    ~ Sherwin-Williams Outspace 6251 ~
    Valspar Night View 4007-4C
    ? Vallejo Model Color London Grey 70.836 ?
    ? Vallejo Model Color Basalt Grey 70.869 ?
    Dark Grey/Ruby

    44.78,17.6,0.68
    Beauti-Tone/Cloverdale Majestic Plum A45-2-1214-3
    ~ Behr Raisin in the Sun N120-6 ~
    ~ Benjamin Moore Victorian Romance OR-162 ~
    * Dulux/Glidden Mystic 30RR 17/140 *
    * NCS1950 S 5020-R20B *
    * Pantone 7428 U *
    ~ PPG Velvet Slipper 1046-6 ~
    Sherwin-Williams Grape Harvest 6285
    ~ Valspar Vintage Grape 1005-5A ~
    TBD
    Dark Green

    38.72,-4.45,5.97
    See British Night Varnish (NIVO)

    Color matching with 1989 Methuen Handbook of Color and Nix Color sensor
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 03-19-2017 at 14:19.

  4. #4

    Default

    Colors from Gotha G.V 938/16; 28 Jan 1918.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	GermanNightBomber-G5-2.png 
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ID:	219471

    Methuen/CIElab House Paints and Standards Hobby Paints
    Dark Violet

    43.28,4.84,-1.02
    Beauti-Tone Muse Worthy SC102-4
    Behr Arabian Well PPU17-19
    ~Benjamin Moore Amazon Soil 2115-30 ~
    ~ Cloverdale Juniper Berry CA208 ~
    Dulux Art Deco 10RB 14/049
    Dulux Trade Mercury Shower 10RR 13/081
    Glidden Black Frosted Plum 50RR 14/045
    * NCS1950 S 6005-R20B *
    Pantone 439 U
    PPG Cracked Slate 1003-6
    Sherwin-Williams Stunning Shade 7082
    ? Vallejo Model Color German Camo. Pale Brown 70.825 ?
    ? Reaper MSP Dusky Skin 9251 ?
    Blue/Grey

    47.73,-0.95,-2.02
    *Austr. Std. Pewter N63 *
    Beauti-Tone/Cloverdale Backwater C12-3-0513-4
    * Behr Antique Tin PPU18-3 *
    * Benjamin Moore Trout Grey 2124-20 *
    * BS5252 Dark Admiralty Grey 18 B 25 *
    Dulux Intercoastal 30BB 16/031
    * FS595c 26152 Gray *
    * FS595c 26132 Slate Gray *
    NCS1950 S5502-B
    * Pantone 424 C *
    Pantone 445 U
    * PPG Volcanic Ash 1012-6 *
    * RAL Design 000 50 00 *
    * RAL Effect 830-4 *
    Sherwin-Williams Web Gray 7075
    * Valspar Almost Charcoal 4008-2B
    ? Vallejo Model Color Dark Sea Grey 70.991 ?
    ? Reaper MSP Cloudy Grey 9089 ?
    Cactus Green

    59.34,-9.74,15.47
    Beauti-Tone/Cloverdale Lucky Day C45-4-0428-4
    Behr Pesto Paste S370-5
    Benjamin Moore Kennebunkport Green HC-123
    * Dulux/Glidden Pine Forest Green 10GY 29/158 *
    Dulux Trade English Mist 29/158
    Farrow & Ball Sutcliffe Green 78
    PPG Cavern Moss 1124-5
    * RAL Design 120 60 20 *
    RAL Effect 760-4
    RAL Classic Pale Green 6021
    ~ Sherwin-Williams Artichoke 6179 ~
    * Valspar Cactus Shadow 5008-4B
    ? Vallejo Model Color Khaki 70.988?

    Color matching with 1989 Methuen Handbook of Color and Nix Color sensor
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 03-19-2017 at 14:08.

  5. #5

    Default

    Colors from Gotha G.V 979/16; 19 May 1918.
    I presume this is a three-color pattern, since only three are listed, but it does not say explicitly.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	GermanNightBomber-G5-3.png 
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ID:	219472

    Methuen/CIElab House Paints and Standards Hobby Paints
    Blackish Blue

    41.35,-1.29,-11.75
    ~ Beauti-Tone Junction FD092-4 ~
    Behr Durango Blue S510-6
    Benjamin Moore Legend of Poseidon OR-442
    ~ Dulux Blackberry Farm 30BB 13/068 ~
    ~ Glidden Soaring Eagle 10BB 15/154 ~
    NCS1950 S 6010-R70B
    Pantone 2378 U
    PPG Blue Zephyr 1042-6
    RAL Design 260 40 10
    ~ Sherwin-Williams Distance 6243 ~
    ~ Valspar Smoky Pitch 4007-4B ~
    ? Vallejo Model Color Dark Blue Grey 70.904 ?
    ? Reaper MSP Military Gray 29836 ?
    Dark Violet

    30.66,7.88,-9.39
    Beauti-Tone Jazlyn A39-1-1285-3
    Behr Mardi Gras PPU16-19
    * Benjamin Moore Plum Royale 2070-20 *
    BS5252 Purple 22 C 40
    Cloverdale Plum Perfect 1292
    DIN6162 TSD 12-2-6
    Dulux/Glidden Black Tulip 30RB 07/107
    PPG Magic Spell 1173-7
    RAL Design 310 30 15
    ~ Sherwin-Williams Quixotic Plum 6265 ~
    ~ Valspar Purple Fury 4001-4C ~
    ? Reaper MSP Tempest Grey 9438 ?

    Color matching with 1989 Methuen Handbook of Color and Nix Color sensor
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 03-19-2017 at 14:07.

  6. #6

    Default

    Colors from AEG G.IV 1125/16 Bogohl III/15, 23 Dec 1917.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	GermanNightBomber-A4-1.png 
Views:	55 
Size:	6.9 KB 
ID:	219473

    Methuen/CIElab House Paints and Standards Hobby Paints
    Greyish Blue

    40.32,-7.73,-26
    See the same color in German Five-Color Top Camouflage
    Greyish Magenta

    54.53,29.39,-5.92
    Beauti-Tone/Cloverdale Fuchsia Fizz A34-2-1151-4
    ~ Behr Amazonian Orchid M110-5 ~
    * Dulux/Glidden Satin Serenade 10RR 26/248 *
    Dulux Trade Waterlily Blush 30RR 23/270
    Pantone 7646 C
    Pantone 681 U
    ~ PPG Flowering Raspberry 1180-6 ~
    Valspar So Long Shadow 1004-3B
    TBD
    Dark Green

    38.14,-11.8,6.14
    Beauti-Tone Plateau C48-1-0704-3
    * Behr Congo PPU11-20 *
    Benjamin Moore Avalon Road OR-342
    BS4800/5252 Holly Green 14 C 39
    Cloverdale Hemlock CA180
    Dulux/Glidden St. Williams Street 70GY 10/136
    FS595c Green 24108
    PPG Still Searching 13-31
    RAL Design 160 40 15
    Sherwin-Williams Courtyard 6440
    Valspar Treeline 5006-4C
    TBD

    Color matching with 1989 Methuen Handbook of Color and Nix Color sensor
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 03-19-2017 at 14:18.

  7. #7

  8. #8

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    More great stuff here, Daryl! I look forward to using some of your color suggestions as I do some repainting of the Ares hex camo Gotha - some should be a great place to start in trying to match the existing model's colors.

    All the best,
    Matt



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