Late War Luftwaffe Fighter Camouflage Part Nine - RLM Colour Representations by Helmut Latoschinski

Late-War Luftwaffe Fighter Camouflage

Part Nine

RLM Colour Representations

by Helmut Latoschinski

Part Nine of "Late-War Luftwaffe Fighter Camouflage" demonstrates the variety of colours in the RLM range of paint shades.

The accompanying images should not be relied upon as an actual match for RLM colours due to a combination of processes and settings on your computer screen or printer. These variables include your video card, your monitor settings and the type and configuration of your printer.

In fact, the limitations of printing in process colours means that the exact tones of Luftwaffe colours cannot even be reproduced accurately in a conventional book. The only accurate way to present these colours is using paint samples.

RLM paint samples may be found in "The Monogram Painting Guide to German Aircraft" by Merrick and Hitchcock; or the more widely available ( and far less expensive) "Luftwaffe Color Chart" as reviewed elsewhere on HyperScale.

It is also essential to remember that the actual appearance of these colours on aircraft varied widely due to weathering, damage, a variety of thinning media and different methods of application.

Nevertheless, these Tables provide a valuable insight into the general nature of, and relationships between, RLM colours. Modellers wishing to cross-reference the colours against FS numbers or model paints may wish to refer to Part One and Part Six of this Series. A full Index to the Series is provided at the bottom of the page.

Table One - RLM Colours (Small Samples)

RLM01 Silber	RLM65 Hellblau	RLM79 Sandbraun
RLM02 Grau	RLM66 Schwarzgrau	RLM79 Sandgelb
RLM04 Dunkelgelb	RLM70 Schwarzgrün	RLM80 Olivgrün
RLM21 Weiss	RLM71 Dunkelgrün	RLM81 Braunviolett
RLM22 Schwarz	RLM74 Grüngrau	RLM82 Hellgrün (Lichtgrün)
RLM23 Rot	RLM75 Grauviolett	RLM83 Dunkelgrün
RLM24 Dunkelblau	RLM76 Lichtblau	Graublau (sometimes erroneously referred to as "RLM 84")
RLM27 Hellgelb	RLM77 Hellgrau

Table Two - Selected RLM Colours (Large)

	RLM76 Lichtblau (Weissblau) Lichtgrün (Hellgrün) RLM82
	Graublau (sometimes erroneously referred to as "RLM 84") Dunkelgrün RLM83
	RLM65 Hellblau Braunviolett RLM81
	RLM 77 Hellgrau (Primer) Olivgrün RLM80
	RLM74 Grüngrau Dunkelgrün RLM71
	RLM75 Grauviolett Schwarzgrün RLM70

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Late-War Luftwaffe Fighter Camouflage - Part One

1. Introduction
2. History of WNr.163824
3. The Treloar Centre Bf 109 G-6 - General Features
4. Camouflage and Markings of WNr.163824
Table 1: Colours Used on the Fuselage of WNr. 163824
5. Conclusion

Late-War Luftwaffe Fighter Camouflage - Part Two

6. WNr. 163824 Photo Gallery
7. Links
8. References

Late-War Luftwaffe Fighter Camouflage - Part Three

Commentary on the Evolution and Usage of Luftwaffe RLM Colours 81, 82 & 83 by David E. Brown
Please note that Part Three will take some time to load. Please be patient.

Late-War Luftwaffe Fighter Camouflage - Part Four

Building and Painting a Late War Bf 109
Includes discussion about the use of primer as camouflage colours on late-war Luftwaffe fighter aircraft.

Late-War Luftwaffe Fighter Camouflage - Part Five

Focke-Wulf 190A-8 in Grey
A detailed examination of one colour and one monochrome photograph of Focke Wulf Fw 190A-8, Werknummer 681497 of 5./JG 4.

Late-War Luftwaffe Fighter Camouflage - Part Six

Model Paint Mixing Guide
A model paint reference guide for the RLM colours discussed in Parts One, Three, Four, Five and Seven. Some notes on enamel vs. acrylic paints and thinning paints for airbrushing are also included

Late-War Luftwaffe Fighter Camouflage - Part Seven

Night-Harassing Camouflage
History, photographs and a modelling project concerning the the operations and aircraft of NSGr.10.

Late-War Luftwaffe Fighter Camouflage - Part Eight

Colour Profiles
Seven of Chris Royston's attractive colour side profiles of late-war Fw 190Ds and Bf 109Ks.

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