I am an amateur working on the 1/32 DML P-51D. The directions are calling for colors by number that aren’t listed in my color key/table. Any ideas guys? I checked my unbuilt Hasegawa 1/48 F-4 Corsair, and realized the same issue. Is there some type of universal key or table for every color that all manufacturers adhere to?
Can you provide an example of the numbers you have? I will assume that the are FS (Federal Standard) numbers and they are indeed a type of universal table, at least for US Armed Forces.
Here are links to the IPMS Stockholm color charts. The first lists the FS numbers and authentic colors by country, the second is a cross reference of many of the world’s major model paint companies:
http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/colorcharts.asp
http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/colorcharts_2.asp
Bookmark them, for they are a valuable tool and reference!
An excellent question - I found that the colors suggested by Dragon are not always correct. For instance in their SdKfz 251/17 they recommend Gunze Sangyo (H) colors for the classic tri-color camo scheme that are not the best choices for that color scheme. You can find their site and colors on the web.
What I suggest you do is determine through some searches what the correct colors are for your model, and then using the excellent links given just above go with what matches the colors you should be using.
Peace,
John
For example, (these numbers are fictitious, as I don’t have my kit in front of me) The directions will call for painting a part “80/53”. Then when I revert to the key, there there is no color or number that corresponds, so basically it’s not even telling me what color to use. I am actually about five colors short in the key.
Hmmm, it could be a choice, either paint it 80, or paint it 53. Does the kit allow for different squadrons or theater of operations? The example you show (while ficticious) is too large for it to be a ratio ie: 80 parts color x mixed with 53 parts color y.
Typically, Hasegawa and Dragon kits give paint call-outs for GS Acrylic and the equivalent colour in GS “Mr Color” paints. The first number (or sometimes known as the “black number/white box” code) is the GS Acrylic paint number and the second (“white number/black box”) is the GS Mr Color paint number. It’s a “standard” coding system which has been used for years by Hasegawa, Fujimi and Dragon.
eg: H12/33 = Flat Black H12 = GS Acrylic, 33 = GS Mr Color
EDIT: In recent years, Dragon have provided in their kits a colour table which gives 3 paint codes
1: GS “Aqueous” (Acrylic) Black number/white box
2: GS “Mr Color” (Lacquer) White number black box
3: Testors MM
The first link brings me right around to reply to this thread.
I was looking for links to the official color charts, too.
Here’s the link to Chart 1 - just for the ease of a single click:
You try that Gunze Sangyo at link www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/stuff_eng_colorcharts_gunze.htm .
Weird! I tested both links before I posted too, but didn’t bother checking after the post was sent. I must say I don’t like the “Link” button function on this site. I’m going to do them as [ Url ]and write my own link description[ /url] from now on!
THE LINK WAS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED! THANKS GENTS!!!