Proper Vallejo colors (ok colours) for Wildcats and Zeroes

**NewFlyBoy** · 07-11-2017 09:57

Hi all,
I am considering purchasing a flight of Wildcats and flight of Zeroes from Armaments in Miniature and am looking for advice on proper colors/colours for the fuselages of the planes. I really like using Vallejo paints and would very much appreciate any insights the more experienced flyer-modelers on the site can give me. I presume the Wildcat scheme would be appropriate for the Corsairs I plan to order as well.
Thanks in advance,
Bill

**NewFlyBoy** · 07-11-2017 17:05

I saw this on the official painting thread for the Wildcats: "Paint is Vallejo Air Color insignia blue. " (thanks miscmini)-- so I'll go with that unless there are other suggestions -- I'll look on the thread for Zeroes to see if I can find similar info there...

**Flying Helmut** · 07-12-2017 00:26

Vallejo don't do a colour anywhere close to that required for Zekes.

They don't do a "Sky" paint to match RAF Hurricanes and Spitfires, and the Zeke 'Sky' should be even paler than that.

**Sulring** · 07-12-2017 03:03

Actually, Prince August / Vallejo have a series of paints called "aero" for plane modellers, which include quite a few greens and browns, and a chromium yellow for japanese planes. References are P013/018/019/027/039/134/135/136. All may not be useful for zeroes, but I'm sure they are a good start. For the light grey of the IJN zeroes, you can use P820 (off white) as a base. i'm sure they have USN blues and greys too, but have never used them.
These paints are specifically designed for use with an airbrush, so you'll need to apply several coats to get a nice finish as they are a bit thinner than "regular" ones.

**NewFlyBoy** · 07-12-2017 06:31

Originally Posted by Sulring

Actually, Prince August / Vallejo have a series of paint called "aero" for plane modellers, which include quite a few greens and browns, and a chromium yellow for japanese planes. References were P013/018/019/027/039/134/135/136. All may not be useful for zeroes, but I'm sure they are a good start. For the light grey of the IJN zeroes, you can use P820 (off white) as a base. i'm sure they have USN blues and greys too, but have never used them.
These paints are specifically designed for use with an airbrush, so you'll need to apply several coats to get a nice finish as they are a bit thinner than "regular" ones.

Thanks for the info ! Very useful.
Bill

**Flying Helmut** · 07-12-2017 08:08

The thing about the Zeke "grey" is that it should not be a grey at all.

It was a VERY pale green, with a touch of brownish tinge about it.

When I painted my 1/700 Zekes, I tried white first, then off-white, but neither looked right to me.
Finally I used Tamiya XF-21 "Sky", mixed with white, to get a very very very pale green.

**NewFlyBoy** · 07-12-2017 09:04

Great tip, Thanks Tim!

**BobP** · 07-21-2017 16:23

Many great ideas here and thanks for posting them. I did a repaint of Wildcats and used Prussian Dark Blue on them. Wasn't sure what to do. Some of my Japanese I use Tamiya Deck tan and others flat aluminum. Try to be as accurate as I can but sometime I just like what they look like.

**NewFlyBoy** · 07-21-2017 16:44

Originally Posted by BobP

Many great ideas here and thanks for posting them. I did a repaint of Wildcats and used Prussian Dark Blue on them. Wasn't sure what to do. Some of my Japanese I use Tamiya Deck tan and others flat aluminum. Try to be as accurate as I can but sometime I just like what they look like.

Bob,
How did the Prussian Dark Blue turn out ? I have quite a bit of that from my Napoleonic Wars efforts.
best,
Bill

**Teaticket** · 07-21-2017 20:36

Vallejo do an Air War color series. I just got the USN & USMC set of 8. As soon as I try them out I'll let you know the results. I think they do Japanese set too.

**NewFlyBoy** · 07-21-2017 21:00

Originally Posted by Teaticket

Vallejo do an Air War color series. I just got the USN & USMC set of 8. As soon as I try them out I'll let you know the results. I think they do Japanese set too.

Excellent news! I look forward to hearing from you.
Bill

**JediSmurf** · 12-21-2020 19:03

Originally Posted by Teaticket

Vallejo do an Air War color series. I just got the USN & USMC set of 8. As soon as I try them out I'll let you know the results. I think they do Japanese set too.

Teaticket, did you ever use the Vallejo air war color set for your PTO planes? I’m eying them now (in 2020).

**Teaticket** · 12-21-2020 20:30

So far I have only painted 2 USN planes with the Vallejo colors from the Air set F6F Hellcats. I prime with black and used 2 coats. It is a very dark blue with the black prime! Next ones I will try a grey prime.

I have used the Japanese colors and really like the outcome.

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**Diamondback** · 12-21-2020 21:58

Check this chart, but do it quick--it goes nonfunctional later this month when Adobe kills Flash.

https://www.paint4models.com

**Baron Rolf** · 12-21-2020 22:55

I have bought for my AWI Hessians a bottle of Vallejo Game Colour Night Blue. I have used this colour over Chaos Black primer and it is a very dark blue. I will check later what mid tone colour I will be using for the Hessians coats and get back to you Bill.

**Diamondback** · 12-21-2020 23:06

Actually, Peter's black-prime looks very close to FS15042 Dark Sea Blue I've seen on museum aircraft. Maybe 1 part white and balance DSB in a 5- or 10-part mix on a black base.