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Thread: Color: RFC Roundel and Rudder Colors

  1. #1

    Default Color: RFC Roundel and Rudder Colors

    In the earliest months of the war there were no standards. The first standard colors appeared in early 1915 with VR1 (red), VW1 (white), and VB1 (blue). In spring to summer 1916, the red and whites were replaced with VR2 and VW2. VB2 replaced VB1 in late 1916 to mid 1917, and VW3 followed VW2. Finally in early 1918 a more durable red was substituted in the form of VR3. The combination of VB2, VW3, and VR3 was used well into the 1930's. [Primary source: Best of Wind-Sock, v.1]

    In table form:
    Date Red Blue
    1915-spring/summer 1916 VR1 VB1
    Spring/Summer 1916 - Late 1916/Spring 1917 VR2 VB1
    Late 1916/Spring 1917 - Spring 1918 VR2 VB2
    Spring 1918 onward VR3 VB2

    The whites are fairly under-documented, other than one note that VW1 had a noticeable light grey cast. The reds and blues will be documented further below.

    Of course, there must have been numerous circumstances where supply problems, slow implementation of new standards, variances in paint, etc. led to individual variances, so these can only be used as general guides.

    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 against those. The goal is just to "get close". See 'Color: why we'll never get it exactly right'.



    Footnotes on the data below:
    ¹ = on the encycolorpedia web page, color comparisons done in RGB space, so they're not very accurate. It is does have a very extensive database, though.
    ² = Color matching with 1989 Methuen Handbook of Color and Nix Color sensor
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 06-05-2016 at 12:50.

  2. #2

    Default

    RFC VR1 Use: RFC roundels and rudders, 1915-mid 1916
    Methuen 10B8 Source: Best of Wind-Sock, Vol. 1, R.L.Rimell, 1988
    Methuen, CIELab, RGB House & Ref. Colors Hobby Paints

    CIELab: 53.65, 55.88, 30.18
    RGB: #DE4F50²
    Behr: Pinkadelic P160-5
    Benjamin Moore: Bulls-Eye Red 2002-20
    Dulux: Strawberry Patch - 10YR 22/483
    TBD
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 06-05-2016 at 12:39.

  3. #3

    Default

    RFC VR2 Use: RFC roundels and rudders, mid 1916 to early 1918
    Methuen 10B8, 10C8, 10D8 Source: Best of Wind-Sock, Vol. 1, R.L.Rimell, 1988.
    Methuen, CIELab, RGB House & Ref. Colors Hobby Paints

    CIELab: 53.65, 55.88, 30.18
    RGB: #DE4F50²
    Behr: Pinkadelic P160-5
    Benjamin Moore: Bulls-Eye Red 2002-20
    Dulux: Strawberry Patch - 10YR 22/483
    TBD

    CIELab: 50.59, 51.44, 27.04
    RGB: #CE4D4D²
    Beauti-Tone Lipstick A19-3-1444-3
    Behr Pinkadelic P160-5
    Benjamin Moore Rhubarb 2007-30
    CIL/Dulux Tea Dance 10YR 21/436
    Pantone 1797 U
    RAL Effect 460-4
    Sherwin-Williams Ablaze 6870[/INDENT]
    TBD

    CIELab: 47.28, 46.07, 22.78
    RGB: #BC4B4C²
    Beauti-Tone Lipstick A19-3-1444-3
    Behr Hibiscus Flower P140-6
    Benjamin Moore Rhubarb 2007-30
    Dulux Trade Fire Cracker 3 10YR 15/500
    Dulux Tender Rose 10YR 16/407
    FS595c: FS 11302
    Sherwin-Williams Ablaze 6870
    TBD
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 06-05-2016 at 12:40. Reason: formatting

  4. #4

    Default

    RFC VR3 Use: RFC roundels and rudders, 1918-
    Methuen 10B8, 10C8, 10D8, 10E8 Source: Best of Wind-Sock, Vol. 1, R.L.Rimell, 1988, various Windsock Datafiles
    Methuen, CIELab, RGB House & Ref. Colors Hobby Paints

    CIELab: 53.65, 55.88, 30.18
    RGB: #DE4F50²
    Behr: Pinkadelic P160-5
    Benjamin Moore: Bulls-Eye Red 2002-20
    CIL: Tea Dance 10YR 21/436
    Dulux: Strawberry Patch - 10YR 22/483

    CIELab: 50.59, 51.44, 27.04
    RGB: #CE4D4D
    ²
    Beauti-Tone Lipstick A19-3-1444-3
    Behr Pinkadelic P160-5
    Benjamin Moore Rhubarb 2007-30
    CIL/Dulux Tea Dance 10YR 21/436
    Pantone 1797 U
    RAL Effect 460-4
    Sherwin-Williams Ablaze 6870[/INDENT]

    CIELab: 47.28, 46.07, 22.78
    RGB: #BC4B4C²
    Beauti-Tone Lipstick A19-3-1444-3
    Behr Hibiscus Flower P140-6
    Benjamin Moore Rhubarb 2007-30
    Dulux Trade Fire Cracker 3 10YR 15/500
    Dulux Tender Rose 10YR 16/407
    FS595c: FS 11302
    Sherwin-Williams Ablaze 6870

    CIELab: 43.78, 40.5, 19.89
    RGB: #AA4849
    ²
    Beauti-Tone The Ego Has Landed A18-1-1096-3
    Benjamin Moore Chili Pepper 2004-20
    Dulux Trade Burnt Autumn 1 10YR 13/437
    FS595c: FS 11140
    Sherwin-Williams Antique Red 7587
    Paint Color Chip Source: Best of Wind-Sock, Vol. 1, R.L.Rimell, 1988

    CIELab: 56.74, 60.2, 40.91
    RGB: #EF5144²
    Beauti-Tone Endless Possibilities A21-2-1081-3
    Behr Pimento P180-6
    Benjamin Moore Blazing Orange 2011-20
    Dulux Bongo Jazz 28YR 29/561
    FS595c 12199
    Pantone 7625C
    Sherwin-Williams Gladiola 6875
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 06-05-2016 at 12:29. Reason: formatting

  5. #5

    Default

    RFC VB1 Use: RFC roundels and rudders, 1914-1916
    Methuen 23D7 Source: Best of Wind-Sock, Vol. 1, R.L.Rimell, 1988
    Methuen, CIELab, RGB House & Ref. Colors Hobby Paints

    CIELab: 52.3,-21.47,-26.29
    RGB: #0089A9²
    Beauti-Tone Blue Bliss C16-2-0675-4
    Behr Bella Vista P470-6
    Benjamin Moore Cool Blue 2058-40
    Dulux/CIL Peacock's Plume 16BG 24/357
    FS595c 15182 *
    Pantone 2203 U *
    RAL 230 50 35 *
    Sherwin-Williams Impromptu 6955
    ?Vallejo Model Color 70.840 Light Turquoise?
    ?Humbrol AB0014 French Blue?
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 06-05-2016 at 12:29. Reason: formatting changes

  6. #6

    Default

    RFC VB2 Use: RFC roundels and rudders, 1916-1930's
    Methuen 19D8, 20D7, 20E8, 21C7, 21D7 Source: Best of Wind-Sock, Vol. 1, R.L.Rimell, 1988; various Wind-Sock Datafiles
    Methuen, CIELab, & RGB House & Ref. Colors Hobby Paints

    CIELab: 35.34,17.1,-38.06
    RGB: #484D90²
    Beauti-Tone Fresh Take A29-1-1278-3
    Behr Canyon Iris P540-7 *
    Benjamin Moore Scandinavian Blue 2068-30
    Dulux/CIL Victorian Violet 88BB 11/331
    FS595c 15056
    Pantone 7671C *
    Sherwin-Williams Morning Glory 6971
    ?Vallejo 70.809 Royal Blue?
    ?Humbrol AB0025 Blue?

    CIELab: 43.56,3.14,-38.77
    RGB: #3469A7²
    Beauti-Tone Rock the Boat A25-2-1457-3
    Behr Mega-Blue P520-6
    Benjamin Moore Brilliant Blue 2065-30
    BS 381 144 (C) French Blue **
    Dulux/CIL Azure Blue 39BB 18/351
    FS595C 15095, 25095, 35095
    Pantone 661 U
    Sherwin-Williams Sapphire 6963
    ?Vallejo Model Color 70.839 Ultramarine?

    CIELab: 30.94,3.01,-33.81
    RGB: #194A7E²
    Beauti-Tone Dock Side A25-1-1456-3 *
    Behr Beacon Blue P510-7
    Benjamin Moore Patriot Blue 2064-20 **
    Dulux/CIL AB0104 Blazer Blue
    FS595c 15056, 25056, 35056
    RAL 280 30 35 *
    Sherwin-Williams Dignity Blue 6804 *
    TSD 15-5-4 (DIN6164) *
    Reaper MSP 9188 Ultramarine Blue
    ?Vallejo Model Color 70.965 Prussian Blue?
    ?Humbrol AB0104 Oxford Blue?

    CIELab: 52.57,-6.78,-36.92
    RGB: #2984BC²
    Beauty-Tone Mezmerized C19-3-1521-4
    Behr Perfect Sky P510-5
    Benjamin Moore Clearest Blue Ocean 2064-40
    Dulux/CIL 98BG 26/393 Blue Sapphire
    FS595c 15230, 25230, 35230
    Sherwin-Williams Dynamic Blue 6958
    ?Vallejo Model Color 70.902 Azure?

    CIELab: 46.45,-7.2,-33.2
    RGB: #1F74A5²
    Beauti-Tone Windston C19-2-1520-4
    Behr Celebration Blue MQ4-57
    Benjamin Moore Seaport Blue 2060-30
    BS4800 20 E 53
    Dulux/CIL Indigo Sea 90BG 21/302
    FS595c 15180 **
    Sherwin-Williams Danube 6803
    ?Vallejo Model Color 70.840 Light Turquoise.?
    VB2 Paint Chip Source: Best of Wind-Sock, Vol. 1, R.L.Rimell, 1988

    CIELab: 38.81,11.56,-38.83
    RGB: #40599B²
    Beauti-Tone Fresh Take A29-1-1278-3
    Behr Indigo Batik P530-6
    Benjamin Moore Twilight Blue 2067-30 *
    Dulux/CIL Kingdom 58BB 12/390
    Pantone 2746 U
    RAL 290 40 40
    Sherwin-Williams Frank Blue 6967
    TSD 15-5-3 (DIN6164) *
    ?Vallejo Model Color 70.962 Flat Blue?
    ?Humbrol AB0096 RAF Blue?
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 06-05-2016 at 12:30. Reason: sort house colors

  7. #7

    Default

    Of course, there's always a big problem with the difference between what's on the computer screen, what's on the test print, and what comes out on the decal sheet.
    Oh, and then matching the decal colors with the painted parts.

    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jager View Post
    Of course, there's always a big problem with the difference between what's on the computer screen, what's on the test print, and what comes out on the decal sheet.
    Oh, and then matching the decal colors with the painted parts.

    Karl
    Agreed, you certainly shouldn't trust the color you see on your monitor; that's why sample paint colors are listed. Matching with decals is another complication, indeed. And then you may want to lighten the color if you're a fan of trying to achieve the scale effect (or take it toward a light grey, in the case of the reds, so they don't turn pink).

    I'm less interested in answering the question, "how do I get it exactly historically correct?" and more towards, "what's a decent match for such-and-such color, if I have several choices to pick from?"

  9. #9

    Default

    Remember with field expediencies, weathering, fading, substitutions of solvents, lighting conditions etc all we can aim for is plausibility.
    Research like the ****ens, but the more you find out, the more uncertainty and variation you'll find. Just look at some contemporary photos, where it's obvious there are different shades of blue and red on cockades of different aircraft of the same squadron.

    Then there are the planes built in France, which use a different colour palate entirely (with even more variation). RFC and Armee de l'Air covered each other's temporary shortages, same with French Marine and RNAS based at Dunkerque.



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