Here's a great source for what you need to know. http://www.usarmymodels.com/index.html
Jim Streeter's site. It's Steve Zagola approved info !
Exerpt....
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I paint my figures with a range colors from Model Master (MM), Tamiya (TAM), and PolyScale (PS). I don't intermix TAM paints with other paint brands, and actually I don't like painting much at all with TAM colors since the dry so fast. They're good for base coats or washes. Because web gear is similar in color I like to give some contrasts, especially when worn over khaki jackets. So I mix and match tones: gear might be PolyScale Mud, and the jacket will be Tamiya Buff or PolyScale Aged Concrete, or vice versa. ""