Hi all,
Appologies if this is posted to the wrong department!
It seems to be a long-running problem, trying to find shade matches in other ranges when all you have is a Gunze Mr. Color reference number. I checked IPMS Stockholm but their comparison charts favor aviation as opposed to armor.
Does anyone know of a straight equivalency chart between Mr. Color and other ranges?
Best wishes,
TB379
Aside from their later release of German WWII armor colors and their Armor Olive Drab, Gunze does not make many “straight equivelant” armor colors. Most of their colors are aviation related or generic.
Hi Stik,
Well, I guess they simply suggested the closest paint shades they had… I’m looking for the closest shades in locally-available ranges (Tamiya Acrylics, Model Master or Humbrol enamels) for some Mr. Color numbers given for Chinese cammo in Trumpeter kits, so a general comparison chart would probably shed some light.
Cheers,
TB379
I see… Gotcha! Is there any particular armor colors you are looking for? All the other lines you mention are far better for armor colors. Most armor kit instructions that reccommend Gunze colors are mixes. Unfortunately Gunze has not expanded their line to meet more tread head needs than German and basic US WWII armor. As far as Chinese armor goes, I have no knowledge there, but I can give you suggestions from the other lines you mention for many other countries’ paint colors.
Hi Stik,
I’m looking for the standard Chinese army three-tone cammo of the 1980s – a tan, a mid-green and a dark green. The shades feel a bit brighter than the equivalent shades in the old SEA USAF cammo, though the lighting conditions in which they are seen obviously makes that very ad hoc. The Gunze numbers (white number, black square) for them are 23 Dark Green, 133 Earth and 135 Russian Green. Any hints or pointers would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
TD379
Hello Thunderbolt,
Here are some suggestions for Tamiya colors: for 23 Dark Green try XF-61 Dark Green, XF-11 IJN Green, or XF-13 IJA Green; for 133 Earth try XF-52 Flat Earth; for 135 Russian Green try XF-58 Olive Green or XF-26 Deep Green.
Hopefully among these colors you can eyeball something that looks right to you.
Hi Stik,
Thanks, man! I’ll list those and drop by my the LHS. I found an online Gunze chart (no comparisons) – it’s always hard to tell what a shade is when colors are reproduced in print, then on screen, but it gives me an idea of what to look for. I’ll let you know what happens!
Cheers,
TB379
Hi all,
I think I’ve found the shades in question. If anybody is looking at modern PLA armor, check out:
http://www.sinodefenceforum.com/land-warfare-army/chinese-camouflage-colors-3227.html
The page closes with a photo of a Type 98 MBT in tri-tone cammo on parade, and the closest-shade analysis is:
Tan: German Dark Yellow, Mid-Green: German Dark Green, Darker Green: FS 34079.
There could still be some latitude, of course, but that gets me close.
Cheers,
TB379