Does Tamiya make RLM paints?
Tamiya does not sell a range labelled with RLM numbers in the way some specialist paint makers do. Its paints have their own codes (XF for flat acrylics, X for gloss acrylics, TS for spray lacquers, AS for aircraft-oriented sprays), so matching an RLM color means choosing the closest Tamiya shade, or mixing one.
RLM stands for Reichsluftfahrtministerium, the German air ministry that issued the numbered color standards used on Luftwaffe aircraft. Modern paint matches are interpretations, because original paint varied by batch, fades with age, and looks different in photographs.
Common RLM colors and Tamiya starting points
The table lists commonly suggested starting points, not guaranteed matches. Mixes and opinions vary between modelers, and Tamiya has changed its range over time, so check current catalogue names.
| RLM color | Commonly suggested Tamiya starting point |
|---|---|
| RLM 02 Grey-green | XF-22 RLM Grey |
| RLM 66 Black-grey | XF-24 Dark Grey (often cited as the closest single bottle) |
| RLM 70 Black-green | XF-27 Black Green, sometimes adjusted with other greens |
| RLM 71 Dark green | Often mixed from XF-61 Dark Green with other colors |
| RLM 76 Light blue | Often mixed, for example from XF-23 Light Blue with white or grey |
Treat each row as a place to begin. Compare a test swatch against a color reference you trust, and adjust.
Cockpit colors: RLM 02 and RLM 66
Forum discussions among Luftwaffe modelers commonly note that earlier cockpits were finished in RLM 02, while later in the war many were finished in RLM 66, a dark grey with a bluish cast. Exact practice varied by aircraft type, factory and period, so check references for your specific subject.
One modeler asking about an Fw 190D-9 cockpit noted that XF-24 looked closest to RLM 66 among several brands but was not sold as a spray, and that the spray AS-4 (a spray he understood to be a German aircraft grey) was the nearest spray he had on hand. If you use a spray, confirm the label and test it, since a spray and a bottled acrylic with similar names can look different.
Mixing and testing
- Mix by drops or by measured amounts and write the ratio down, so you can repeat it.
- Paint a test swatch on spare plastic or a primed card, and let it fully dry. Acrylics often shift as they cure.
- View the swatch in the lighting where the model will be displayed.
- Remember that scale effect makes small models look darker or lighter than the same color on a large surface, so many modelers lighten slightly. Treat that as a matter of taste.
- Seal with a clear coat only after you have confirmed the color, since gloss and flat finishes change the look.
Acrylic, lacquer and sprays
Tamiya acrylics are normally thinned with Tamiya’s acrylic thinner or, by many modelers, with isopropyl alcohol; follow the instructions on the bottle. Tamiya spray cans are lacquer and can attack some plastics and other paints if applied heavily, so a test on scrap is sensible. Use good ventilation and a respirator suited to paint vapors when spraying.
Checking references
Color callouts differ between kit instructions, books and paint charts. Where possible, cross-check at least two sources for your aircraft. Online paint cross-reference charts can help narrow down options, but they are also approximations.
FAQ
Is there a single Tamiya color for each RLM number?
Not officially. Some Tamiya shades are widely used as stand-ins, but a number of RLM colors are commonly mixed.
Can I use Tamiya sprays on a model finished with other paints?
Often yes, but lacquer over other paint types can cause problems. Test on a hidden area first.