Ares Games
Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Color: French Five-Color Camouflage

  1. #1

    Default Color: French Five-Color Camouflage

    In early 1918 the French replaced their "yellow period" color standard with a five-color camouflage scheme, and you can frequently find this scheme on French planes whether they're flown by natives or allies. The five colors are usually described as a dark green, a light green, a chestnut brown, a beige, and black. Plus underside light yellow, though sometimes a light blue was used in place of the underside yellow. The followup posts will cover each of these five colors, except for black and the underside colors, which are (or will be) covered elsewhere. As always, there was quite a bit of variance in the colors and even in the patterns. SPAD sent out patterns for their planes, but it was still up to each manufacturer to modify and adapt the sketches to their production machines.

    In 1968-1972 there were a set of scholarly articles published in Cross&Cockade (US) called "Project Butterfly" by A.D. Toelle, H.D. Hastings, and B.F. Hardesty that researched the 5-color paints and schemes in detail¹. I consider it the standard when it comes to this subject, and it is still used by museums today. Their choices for the five colors were Methuen 3F5/3F6, 3E5, 4C4/4C5/4D5, 5E3, and 4D3 for Dark Green, Light Green, Beige, Brown, and underside Light Yellow respectively. The authors acknowledge that there is little contrast between the dark green and brown and between the light green and beige. On fabric surfaces, aluminum powder was mixed into the paints to protect against fading in the sun, and this gave the paints a somewhat glossy or eggshell luster. Aluminum powder was not used in the paints (of the same colors) used on metal surfaces.

    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.

    Where you see "WD" below, it lists the Windsock Datafile that references that particular shade. C&C is for Cross & Cockade; Davilla is for French Aircraft of the First World War, p.575.

    ¹ Volume 9 #1, Spring 1968; Volume 13 #2, Summer 1972; Volume 13 #4, Winter 1972.
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 10-01-2021 at 10:30. Reason: references listed

  2. #2

    Default

    Dark Green French Five-Color Camouflage
    Methuen/CIElab/Source House Paints and Standards Hobby Paints

    38.27,-2.65,9.4
    WD36
    Australian Std G66 Environment Green *
    Beauti-Tone Mined Ore D32-3-0443-3 *
    Behr Night Mission N370-7
    Benjamin-Moore Cabbage Patch 2141-20 **
    British Std 12 B 27 Green
    British Std 381 285 Nato Green
    DIN6164 TSD 1-2-6
    Dulux Loam 50YY 12/095
    FS595c 24129 Navair Flat Green #2 **
    Little Green 56 Invisible Green
    NCS1950 S 7005-G80Y
    RAL Classic Olivegrün 6003
    Valspar Night Safari 6011-3 **
    Vallejo 70.830 German Fieldgrey WWII *
    Vallejo Game Color 72064 Yellow Olive
    Vallejo 90.896 Reflective Green
    Vallejo 92.888 Olive Grey *
    ~ Tamiya XF-51 Olive Drab ~
    ~ Reaper MSP 9085 Shadowed Stone ~

    40.1,-1.77,9.07
    WD8,12
    Behr Patio Stone N360-6
    Benjamin Moore Mohegan Sage 2141-20 **
    British Std 634 Slate *
    FS595c 34170 Navair Flat Green #1 *
    Pantone Black 2 U *
    RAL Design 100 40 10 **
    Sherwin-Williams Garden Gate 6167 *
    Vallejo 70.893 US Dark Green *

    40.33, -2.25, 13.46
    Behr Ivy Topiary PPU8-25 **
    Benjamin Moore Mediterranean Olive 2142-10 *
    DIN6164 TSD 1-3-5
    FS595c 34088 Olive Drab CARC
    Pantone 448 U
    Valspar City Aboretum 6006-4C
    Vallejo 70.887 Brown Violet *
    Vallejo 94.924 Russian Uniform

    39.98,-2.88,18.36
    WD8,12; C&C
    Beauti-Tone African Queen D16-1-0375-3 **
    Behr Killimanjaro N340-7
    DIN6164 TSD 1-3-5
    Dulux Green Pinon 70YY 12/167
    FS595c 34098 Green *
    FS595c 34127 Light Green Camouflage *
    Little Green 72 Olive Colour
    NCS1950 S 6020-G70Y
    Pantone 7763 C
    RAL Design 100 40 20 *
    Valspar Amazon Silt 6010-4

    40.46,-2.52,20.44
    WD32; C&C
    Benjamin Moore Turtle Green 2142-20
    DIN6164 TSD 1-4-5
    Dulux Heathrow 40YY 14/201
    FS595c 14151
    NCS1950 S 6020-G70Y
    RAL Design 095 40 20 *
    Sherwin-Williams Palm Leaf 7735 **
    ~ Reaper MSP 9177 Camouflage Green ~

    41.1,-1.8,6.4
    RGB #616256

    Davilla
    Beauti-Tone/Cloverdale Serpentine 0443
    * Behr Naturalism MQ6-19
    * Benjamin Moore Dark Olive 2140-30
    Dulux Spheric Winter 16GY 15/037
    ~ Glidden Grey Hearth 30YY 16/032
    Kelley-Moore Hayden Valley 4811
    Little Greene Pompeian Ash 293
    Pantone 7771 U
    PPG Plunge Pool 11-25
    Sherwin-Williams Cast Iron 6202
    * Valspar Cosmopolitan Olive 5008-2C
    ~ Vallejo Russian Uniform WWII 70.924
    ~ Humbrol RLM 74 Graugrun
    ~ Humbrol Dark Slate Grey 224
    ~ Testors Model Master 1988 Euro Gray
    * Reaper MSP SHadowed Stone 9085

    41.2,-3.4,10.4
    RGB #616350

    Davilla
    Beauti-Tone Newbury Moss CC067-3
    Behr Russian Olive N350-7
    ** Benjamin-Moore Forest Floor 1498
    Cloverdale Rain Forest EX058
    ~ Dulux Holiday Bough 10GY 14/135
    ~ Glidden Olive Green 90YY 15/147
    Kelley-Moore Tuscan Olive KMA21
    PPG Double Duty 1030-7
    Sherwin-Williams Garden Gate 6167
    Valspar Cosmopolitan Olive 5008-2C
    Humbrol Light Olive 86
    ~ Humbrol Dark Slate Grey 224

    40.8,-5.5,15.9
    RGB #5f6246

    Davilla
    Beauti-Tone/Cloverdale Price List C46-1-0438-3
    Behr Russian Olive N350-7
    Benjamin Moore Bonsai CC_666
    * Cloverdale Fiddlehead CA168
    Dulux Plantation Green 90YY 13/177
    FS595c Field Green 34097
    Glidden Olive Green 09YY 15/147
    Kelley-Moore Tree of Life 4806
    Little Greene Olive 72
    PPG All About Olive 1126-7
    Sherwin-Williams Oakmoss 6180
    Valspar Tarragon 6001-4C
    Vallejo Middlestone 882/Heavy Khaki 149/US Field Drab 70.873
    ~ Humbrol Interior Green 226
    ~ Testor Model Master Matte Grass Green 80
    Reaper Worn Olive 9159

    39.8,-7.5,20.5
    RGB #5b613c

    Davilla
    Beauti-Tone/Cloverdale Aloe Leafe C40-1-0417-3
    Behr Eastern Bamboo PPU9-25
    Benjamin Moore Guacamole 2144-10
    Dulux/Glidden Plantation Green 90YY 13/177
    Pantone 7762 C
    PPG Globe Artichoke 1121-7
    Sherwin-Williams Basque Green 6426
    Valspar Summer's End 6005-4C
    ~ Vallejo Luftwaffe Camo. Green 70.823
    ~ Humbrol Matte Grass Green 80
    ~ Reaper MSP Camouflage Green 9177

    Color matching with 1989 Methuen Handbook of Color and Nix Color sensor
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 09-28-2021 at 15:04. Reason: Add Davilla Colors

  3. #3

    Default

    Light Green French Five-Color Camouflage
    Methuen/CIElab/Source House Paints and Standards Hobby Paints

    64.27,-5.79,18.23
    WD36
    Beauti-Tone French Pear C40-3-0415-4 **
    Behr Sustainable S350-4 *
    Benjamin Moore Rosemary Sprig 2144-30 *
    BS 5-060 Quarry Grey
    Dulux Artichoke Leaf 70YY 34/180 *
    Dulux Trade 90YY 35/169 Celtic Forest 2
    Sherwin-Williams Green Sprout 7728 *
    Valspar Homestead Resort Pale Olive 6005-4A
    TBD

    74.09,-5.22,40.71
    WD32
    Beauti-Tone Yellow Umbrella B8-3-0800-4
    Behr Dried Chamomile M320-5
    Dulux Limey 60YY 45/382 *
    Little Greene 70 Pale Lime
    Pantone 617 C
    Pantone 7766 U
    Sherwin-Williams Antiquity 6402
    Valspar Greek Tapenade 6008-6B
    ? Vallejo 70.847 Dark Sand ?
    ? Reaper MSP 9149 Mouldy Skin ?

    62.6, -4.34, 24.9
    WD8
    Beauti-Tone Greensleeves C39-3-0359-4
    Behr Dried Chive S330-5 **
    Dulux Tuscan Hillside 50YY 30/192
    Sherwin-Williams Lemon Verbena 7726
    Valspar La Fonda Olive 6006-6B *
    TBD

    62.91,-4.87,32.9
    WD8,12; C&C
    Beauti-Tone Shiny Gold B12-2-0388-4
    Behr Keemun M330-6 *
    NCS1950 S 3030-G80Y
    Pantone 5835 C
    Pantone 618 U
    Sherwin-Williams Tupelo Tree 6417
    ? Reaper MSP Terran Khaki ?

    69.4,-4.2,16
    RGB #ABAB8C

    Davilla
    ~ Beauti-Tone/Cloverdale Rediscover C42-3-0408-0
    Behr Sanctuary PPU9-21
    * Benjamin Moore Bassett Hall Green CW-480
    Dulux Thyme 70YY 46/160
    Glidden Always Avocado 90YY 40/158
    Kelley-Moore Daddy-O HLS4260-3
    Pantone 452 U
    PPG Olive Sprig 1125-4
    Sherwin-Williams Sage 2860
    Valspar Dusty Olive 6005-4A
    Humbrol Desert Tan 237
    ~ Testors Model Master Dark Gull Gray 1740
    ~ Tamiya 86402
    ~ Reaper MSP Pale Olive 9036

    Davilla
    See German 4-Color Camouflage Top Wing Colors

    68.7,-6.6,26
    RGB #A9AA78

    Davilla
    Beauti-Tone Out of the Park TBJ8-4
    Behr Natchez Moss PPU9-5
    Benjamin Moore Greenhow Moss CW-450
    Cloverdale Bamboo Forest 0401
    Dulux Dalmuir Mews 70YY 37/296
    Glidden Spring Bud Green 97YY 43/271
    Kelley-Moore Windy Meadow 4769
    Pantone 5777 U
    PPG Sparrow Spring 11-13
    Sherwin-Williams Ryegrass 6423
    Valspar Gentle Pasture 6003-4A
    TBD

    64,-4,15.3
    RGB #9C9D7F

    Davilla
    Beauti-Tone Wainscot Green CC066-4
    Behr Cricket PPU9-22
    Benjamin Moore Rosemary Sprig 2144-30
    Cloverdale French Pear 0415
    Dulux/Glidden Pacific Pines 90YY 35/169
    Farrow & Ball Lichen 19
    Kelley-Moore Bonsai 4783
    * PPG Zebra Grass 1126-5
    * Sherwin-Williams Green Sprout 7728
    Valspar Dusty Olive 6005-4A
    ~ Vallejo Sotne Grey 70.884
    ~ Humbrol RLM 02 Grau 240
    ~ Tamiya 86511

    64,-5.2,20.2
    RGB #9C9D77

    Davilla
    Beauti-Tone/Cloverdale French Pear C40-3-0415-4
    * Behr Bermuda Grass MQ6-57
    Benjamin Moore Misted Fern 482
    Dulux/Glidden Pacific Pines 90YY 35/169
    Kelley-Moore Bonsai 4783
    * PPG Pine Trail 1115-5
    Sherwin-Williams Lemon Verbena 7726
    Valspar Dusty Olive 6005-4A
    ~ Vallejo MC German Camo Beige WWII
    ~ Humbrol RLM02 Grau 240

    Davilla
    See German Green-Mauve

    Color matching with 1989 Methuen Handbook of Color and Nix Color sensor
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 09-28-2021 at 15:26. Reason: Add C&C reference

  4. #4

    Default

    Chestnut Brown French Five-Color Camouflage
    Methuen/CIElab/Source House Paints and Standards Hobby Paints

    61.58,1.52,15.62
    WD8,12,32; C&C
    Australian Std N41 Oyster
    Beauti-Tone Whipcord D27-3-0338-4 *
    Behr Golden Olive MQ2-24 *
    Benjamin Moore Nordic Gray CC-576 *
    British Std 4-049 Eddystone
    DIN6164 TSD 2-2-3
    Dulux Tumbleweed Trail 30YY 33/145 *
    Dulux Trade 30YY 33/145 Chalky Downs 2
    FS595c 23430 Khaki P1 *
    FS595c 33303 Sand Camouflage *
    NCS1950 S4010-Y10R *
    Pantone 2325 C
    Pantone 7503 U
    Sherwin-Williams Sandy Ridge 7535
    Valspar Lyndhurst Mushroom 3007-9C
    TBD

    60.7,3.23,23.27
    WD8,12
    Beauti-Tone Gold Taffeta D11-2-0276-4 *
    Behr Hidden Treasure D300-5
    Benjamin Moore Woodstock Tan HC-20 **
    DIN6164 TSD 2-3-3
    Dulux Basketry 20YY 31/205
    Dulux Trade 30YY 27/226 Bracken Salts 1
    NCS1950 S 4020-Y
    RAL Classic 1020 Olive Yellow
    Sherwin-Williams Burlap 6137
    Valspar Mark Twain House Oak 3004-9C
    ? Vallejo 70.914 Green Ochre ?

    41.11,6.25,14.02
    WD36; Davilla
    Beauti-Tone Dapper D4-2-0192-3 **
    Behr Folk Guitar N260-7
    Benjamin Moore Mustang 2111-30
    DIN6164 TSD 3-2-5
    Dulux Oakley Brown 80YR 14/140 *
    Dulux Trade 0YY 12/173 Rich Praline 2 *
    FS595c 30140 International Brown
    Pantone 452 U
    Sherwin-Williams Grounded 6089
    Valspar Sumutra Blend 2008-9A **
    ? Vallejo 70.825 German C. Pale Brown ?
    Reaper MSP 9246 Brown Sand *

    39.94,8.13,17.12
    WD36; Davilla
    Australian Std X54 Brown
    Behr Mission Brown N250-7 *
    Benjamin Moore Brown Tar 2110-20 *
    British Std 350 Dark Earth *
    DIN6164 TSD 3-3-5 **
    FS595c 33105 Field Drab Camouflage
    Pantone 4625 U
    RAL Design 060 40 20 *
    RAL Classic 8025 Pale Brown
    Sherwin-Williams Coconut Husk 6111
    Valspar Chocolate Turtle 3001-9A
    Reaper MSP 9220 Olive Skin Shadow *

    38.98,10.69,21.81
    WD36; Davilla
    Benjamin-Moore Saddle Brown 2164-10
    DIN6164 TSD 3-4-5 *
    Dulux Brown Study 00YY 12/173
    FS595c 31090 Earth Red Camouflage
    NCS1950 S 6020-Y30R *
    Pantone 2321 C *
    Sherwin-Williams Sturdy Brown 6097
    Valspar Dark Earth 3011-8 *
    ? Vallejo 70.983 Flat Earth ?
    ~ Vallejo 70.875 Beige Brown ~

    Color matching with 1989 Methuen Handbook of Color and Nix Color sensor
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 09-28-2021 at 10:27. Reason: Add more references

  5. #5

    Default

    Beige French Five-Color Camouflage
    Methuen/CIElab/Source House Paints and Standards Hobby Paints

    73.13,-3.24,31.74
    WD32; C&C
    See the same entry under French Light Yellow

    71.84,-2.44,44.1
    WD8,12; C&C
    Beauti-Tone Samantha Jade C26-4-1543-4
    Behr Lemongrass PPU6-18 *
    Dulux Limey 60YY 45/382
    Pantone 617 C
    Pantone 7766 U
    Sherwin-Williams Antiquity 6402
    Valspar Dylan Velvet 3008-5B
    ? Reaper MSP 9142 Stained Ivory ?

    63.2,-0.3,35.5
    C&C
    Beauti-Tone/Cloverdale Shiny Gold B12-2-0388-4
    Behr Bitter Lemon M310-6
    ~ Dulux Old Salem Gold 30YY 35/249
    ~ Glidden Spring Awakening 50YY 34/250
    Kelley-Moore Whispering Grasslands 4756
    Pantone 5835 C
    * PPG Loveliest Leaves 1116-6
    * Sherwin-Williams Edgy Gold 6409
    Valspar Swampwater 3008-7B
    ~ Vallejo Model Color Tan Yellow 70.912
    * Testors Model Master Armor Sand 1704
    ~ Tamiya Matte Brown Yellow 94
    ~ Reaper MSP Dirty Bone 9271

    64.3,-1.47,45.71
    WD36; Davilla
    Beauti-Tone Ap-peal-ing C26-3-1542-3
    Behr Tangy Green M320-6 *
    Dulux Golden Garland 40YY 34/446 *
    NCS1950 S 3040-G90Y
    Pantone 457 U
    Sherwin-Williams Escapade Gold 6403
    TBD

    60.46,-1.74,45.35
    WD36; Davilla
    Beauti-Tone Rain Boots B8-1-0802-3
    Behr Indian Spice M300-6
    Benjamin Moore Lichen Green 2150-20
    Pantone 104U
    ? Vallejo 70.977 Desert Yellow ?

    65.83,5.22,29.44
    WD8,12
    Beauti-Tone Silence Is Golden B4-3-0891-4 *
    Behr Antique Treasure N280-5 *
    Benjamin Moore Blair Gold HC-22
    Dulux Old Salem Gold 30YY 35/249
    FS595c 27043 Gold
    Sherwin-Williams Baguette 6123
    Valspar Mark Twain House Gold 3006-7C *
    ~ Vallejo 70.819 Iraqui Sand ~
    ~ Vallejo 70.914 Green Ochre ~

    62.92,7.5,39.67
    WD36; Davilla
    Beauti-Tone Bugle Boy B2-2-0899-3 *
    Behr Radiance MQ4-7 *
    Benjamin Moore Aztec Yellow 2152-20
    Dulux Monarch Gold 20YY 36/370
    RAL Classic 1024 Ochre Yellow
    Sherwin-Williams Bosc Pear 6390 **
    Valspar Bell Grove Brass 3010-4 *
    ? Vallejo 70.912 Tan Yellow ?
    ? Reaper MSP 9222 Olive Skin Highlight ?

    59.47,6.51,36.4
    WD36; Davilla
    Beauti-Tone Golden Cadillac B3-1-0879-3 *
    Behr Harvest Time S300-6 *
    Benjamin Moore Tapestry Gold 2153-30
    DIN6164 TSD 2-4-2
    Dulux Country Store 10YY 26/231
    Pantone 1255 U
    RAL Design 080 60 40
    Sherwin-Willimas Chamois 6131
    Valspar Camel Ride 3005-7A
    ? Vallejo 70.977 Desert Yellow ?
    ? Reaper MSP HD Desert Tan ?

    Color matching with 1989 Methuen Handbook of Color and Nix Color sensor
    Last edited by ReducedAirFact; 09-28-2021 at 10:31. Reason: Add 4D5 and more references

  6. #6

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
    Major

    Users Country Flag


    Name
    Matt
    Location
    Ohio
    Sorties Flown
    4,107
    Join Date
    Sep 2014

    Default

    This is more absolutely wonderful stuff, Daryl! Thanks so much for continuing to spearhead this thread - it is such a help in trying to paint/repaint our little planes...

    All the best,
    Matt

  7. #7

    Default

    more super info - many thanks!
    I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!

  8. #8

    Default

    Thanks Daryl ! That's really useful information. Rep on the way.

  9. #9

    Default

    More great info on colors Daryl, thanks! REP away.

  10. #10

    Default

    After finding more color references in Cross & Cockade (US) and in Davilla's French Aircraft of the First World War, I added them to the charts above.

  11. #11

    Default

    Bit late to the party, but having just ordered an AK Interactive 3G paint set for WW1 French tanks (see below), I was wondering if there was any cross-over/match-up between the two palettes?

    https://www.emodels.co.uk/ak-interac...urs-11660.html

    AK11302 WWI French Milky Coffee.
    AK11303 WWI French Artillery Grey.
    AK11162 WWI French Artillery Blue (Spectrum Blue).
    AK11304 WWI French Brown.
    AK11305 WWI French Green#1
    AK11306 WWI French Green#2.



Similar Missions

  1. WGF Color: French Light Yellow
    By ReducedAirFact in forum Colors and Markings
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-10-2021, 10:54
  2. WGF Color: French Roundel and Rudder Colors
    By ReducedAirFact in forum Colors and Markings
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 06-14-2016, 21:55
  3. WWI In Color
    By Coog in forum Officer's Club
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 04-24-2012, 09:46
  4. WWI in Color
    By jbmacek in forum WGF: Historical Discussions
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-21-2011, 12:37
  5. French five-color camouflage pattern?
    By jbmacek in forum Hobby Room
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 02-20-2011, 04:45

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •