Well, I’m not really painting an SR-71 Blackbird model, but rather a D-21 drone that used to be carried on the dorsal back of the aircraft.
Contrary to popular belief, the SR-71 Blackbird (and all its variants as well as the D-21 drone) was not painted black.
Google AI provided two answers below.
So if the true color of the Blackbird and/or D-21 drone was a very, very dark blue or blue/black color, then what model paint brand might come close?
I usually prefer working with Vallejo paint colors, but nothing seems to come close.
Well…maybe Vallejo Model Air # 71.048 Engine Grey might. It’s like a really dark grey or almost black that has a very slight blue tint to it.
Vallejo Model Air Anthracite Grey 71.052 as your base, then maybe thin layers of flat black until you get the color you are looking for?
I’d also look at some different brands’ ‘rubber black’. Some brands look a bit blue-greenish and some have a bit of gray and brown.
I think I’ve found the paint color I need…I hope.
According to various sources, the SR-71’s and/or D-21 drones were painted “anthracite” which is a very deep dark blue or blue/black.
It comes close to matching Vallejo # 71.115 Blue Grey (RAL 7016).
In Kelly Johnson’s biography book “KELLY: More Than My Share Of It All”, on page 144 he mentions that the Blackbirds take their name from the dark blue-black paint. The color of the Blackbirds becomes blue as temperatures increase at high speed and altitude.
In the below Google screenshot, notice how the patio deck picture and the pic to the left of it both have a blue tint.
I wonder if a Japanese cowl black might be a good base. Like Mr Color 125. It’s a blueish black. Or maybe NATO black like Tamiya TS-63.
Or ask @JohnnyK what he did on his: FINISHED -- Revell 1/48 Blackbird SR-71
I took a deep dive on the Internet yesterday and this morning to try and find decent paint equivalents for the SR-71 Blackbird. It isn’t easy or exact.
Below is a sample list of some paints/brands modelers can try. Also, I found the below pic on the Net as I was searching for anthracite paint colors.
Vallejo Model Air Color # 71.052 Anthracite Grey
Vallejo Model Air Color # 71.115 Blue Grey (RAL 7016)
Vallejo Model Air Color # 71.251 NATO Black
Vallejo Model Air Color # 71.056 Panzer Dark Grey (RAL 7021)
Vallejo Model Color # 70.862 Black Grey
Vallejo Model Color # 70.995 German Grey
TAMIYA XF-24 Dark Grey
TAMIYA XF-63 German Grey
TAMIYA XF-69 NATO Black
Squadron Colors #SCN302 Anthracite Grey RAL7016
AK Interactive #AK11167 Anthracite Grey
I’m sure that you know this already, but the various paint color chips will frequently look different on your computer monitor compared to have they will look when applied in real life. Also there can be differences between different manufacturers take on the same paint shade. Lastly, most any color will take on a different appearance depending upon the light source- direct sunlight, indirect sunlight, incandescent, fluorescent, or LED. The paint chips will get you into the general ballpark, but the only real way to get what you’re looking for is by actually trying several colors and seeing which you prefer.
True. All true. To each their own I guess.
I doubt we’ll ever find out the true color/shade of paint on the SR-71 as the USAF/Lockheed probably keeps it classified. ![]()
There is also this youtube video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNuUQ2o0vfg



