HC3 merlin

ACCORDING TO HC3 MERLIN EXTERNAL PAINT I'D APPLY MM2050 TO MY 1st  AIRFIX 1/48.

THE RESULT WAS TO MUCH BROWN EFFECT. I'D DECIDE TO READ THIS PAGE BUT NOT YET CONVINCED I'M GONNA TRY MIXING MM2050 WITH A 40% OF FS 34079 (MM) DARK GREEN TO MAKE A TEST PRIOR TO BUILD MY SECOND ONE. I'LL TELL YOU THE RESULTS SOON. AND IF I CAN POST PICTURES I'LL DO. THANK YOU ALL!!!

That's great to know, though 241 Dark Green, which is used on the grey/green RAF camo as well, looks dark when compared to colour photos I have seen of the Merlin in action.  I have used Humbrol for the past 30 years and am quite familiar with the line and would go with #86 as well. I cannot argue with info straight from the manufacturer! H-163 is also a good colour to use with modern British armour in some cases.  Thanks for passing this information on!!   By the way, a recent issue of Airfix model magazine has a detailed build of a Merlin in it.

Got an e-mail reply from Agustawestland, the Merlin paint color is BS381c241 Dark Green with BSX34 type B primer. They are painted by them prior to delivery to the RAF. Nearest matches are Humbrol H-163 and Tamiya XF-81

I believe you will find the "official" British colour is Olive Drab BS 220.  That being said, I know that White Ensign Models carries this exact colour in their line of enamel paints, believe Xtracolour has it as well.  It is also the same colour used for overall green British Chinooks and with the camo used on the Army and Royal Marine Lynx.   It is to the green side, very similar, if not the same, as currently used on vehicles as well (Challenger II, Land Rovers, Scorpions, etc.). Do not know what brand and type of paint you prefer, sure you can find something close with references others sent in.

Thanks,

Checked those colours, all seem to be a little to green. Need more of a modern olive drab color. Have an E-mail into 28th sqn about the color, will see if they respond.

John

Ahh, the 'holy grail' of accurate colours...  

The Airfix web site ( http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/aircraft/helicopters/a14101-agustawestland-merlin-hc3-148-a14101/?searchguid=&resultspage=&sortorder= )  Link-fu not working eh? 

lists several candidate colors, 86 light Olive, 116 US dark green, & 163 dark green.

From IPMS Stockholm, Urban's color reference:  http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/stuff_eng_colorcharts_humbrol.htm

It might be easier to work back from the colour name then pick the mfr's equivalent.

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/stuff_eng_colorcharts_uk.htm 

For Vallejo paints, go to: http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/en_US/downloads

download the Equivalencias, Model Air, & FAQ's for more than enough info,

good luck.