FS 595A vs 595B

Ross - wierd.. I haven't looked at the actual FS charts, but doing a search for Dark Olive this was one of many things that came up:

http://ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/stuff_eng_colorcharts_fs.htm 

They listed both charts as where the numbers came from so I'm not sure... I have seen that FS number called Dark Olive, Dark Olive Drab and just plain old Olive Drab in different references though. Maybe it's up to whoever wrote the reference on the paint scheme.

Tom—thanks for the link, I found that, too, also this one

 http://www.chassis-plans.com/paint_fed-std-595.html

which shows the color chip, albeit in RGB.

and this one:

http://www.jpsmodell.de/dc/usass_e.htm

The color name does vary with the source, but what confuses me is that Dana Bell, for example, refers to this specific number as being the closest match, but it isn't in the current FS 595B. He does refer to 595A, but I cannot find that, anywhere. You'd think that a color, once in the standard, would not be dropped—it's not the bureaucratic way!

Ross,

The FS 595 system is not a military standard and is not maintained by the military.  Rather it is a standard maintained by the GSA (General Services Administration) for paints ordered in large quantities by all the different agencies of the US Government.  It is actually maintained to provide coatings manufacturers with a guide to what the government wants in a particular paint (color, hue, intensity etc) when bidding on a contract.  It's updated irregularly (removals and additions) and revised on occasion (about every 15 1/2 years).  And yes, in both the updated and revisions, if a color is no longer required, it's removed from the standard - why spend money to print something that is not required? (And since OD is not one of the currently used colors by the US military, it's not in the current version of FS 595B)  So if you want to know what colors were in use by the government since 1954, you are going to need copies of (or access to) FS595, FS595A and FS595B (and there is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Bell has that access to those documents).

 

Thanks for that explanation, Quincy. It figures—the only time the government is efficient is when it can inconvenience a taxpayer…

Any idea, clue, rumor, vague notion, etc. where I might find 595 and 595A?

Here is a link that lists 34087:  http://www.simmerspaintshop.com/colours/fs595b-3000.html

Thanks—great reference link!

I can find the colors online, but translating from RGB to true color, even with a carefully calibrated monitor, is a PITA, IMHO.

What I really want to find is a place I can get the physical color chips.

Unfortunately I really don't know where you might find a copy of the earlier versions - the only reason I have a copy of FS 595A is I bought a copy a bunch of years back.  You might try a Google or Jeeves search to see if a used book dealer might have copies

I saw this on another modeling forum, I doubt you can get anything but the most recent FS chart but I understand you can get the color specs on 3x5 card stock from the Fed according to the source:

General Services Administration
Federal Supply Service Bureau
Specification Section
Suite 8100
470 East L'Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20407

Tel. : (202) 619-8925
Fax : (202) 619-8985

AHA! Phone numbers! I had the address, but not the phone. Thanks, Tom!