Paint mix for RAF blue

[Cannonball]

Can anyone oblige with a suitable oil paint colour/mix for WWII RAF blue. I’m looking to do a couple of Fusilier WWII flyers in blue battle dress and any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Neal.

 

[John Bowery]

Can anyone oblige with a suitable oil paint colour/mix for WWII RAF blue. I’m looking to do a couple of Fusilier WWII flyers in blue battle dress and any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Neal.

Neal,
I mixed up a grey with Raw umber and white and then added Prussian blue till I liked the blue.

Not the best of pictures.
Checking photo's the blue is several colours. Checking various sources, original uniform was designed for Russia and had a lot of Prussian blue in it. Russia did not use the uniforms so it was modified adding a grey mix and adapted to the New Royal Air Force.
Cheers
John

 

[Cannonball]

Neal,
I mixed up a grey with Raw umber and white and then added Prussian blue till I liked the blue.
View attachment 330315

Not the best of pictures.
Checking photo's the blue is several colours. Checking various sources, original uniform was designed for Russia and had a lot of Prussian blue in it. Russia did not use the uniforms so it was modified adding a grey mix and adapted to the New Royal Air Force.
Cheers
John

Thanks for that John, I’ll give it a try.

 

[billyturnip]

I've been giving a WWII RAF figure some thought myself but haven't taken the plunge yet so this has given me a bit of a nudge to do some experimentation.
On my piece of glass there's Cerulean Blue, Ivory Black, Titanium White and Prussian Blue.

It started quite scientific and rapidly went downhill, I've no idea what went where or how much but I think I'm not too wide of the mark.

 

[Cannonball]

I've been giving a WWII RAF figure some thought myself but haven't taken the plunge yet so this has given me a bit of a nudge to do some experimentation.
On my piece of glass there's Cerulean Blue, Ivory Black, Titanium White and Prussian Blue.
View attachment 330326

It started quite scientific and rapidly went downhill, I've no idea what went where or how much but I think I'm not too wide of the mark.

Hi Roger, thanks for the response. I tried a similar combo once before but in my case it seemed to come out more along the lines of a dark denim blue than the RAF colour. A bit of trial and error may be on the cards.

 

[billyturnip]

Hi Roger, thanks for the response. I tried a similar combo once before but in my case it seemed to come out more along the lines of a dark denim blue than the RAF colour. A bit of trial and error may be on the cards.

That was just a quick ten minute or so experiment but you're right, definitely worth a bit of trial and error. Maybe a suitable base coat of enamel or acrylic would help.
I'm sure we can come up with something between us..... then I'll need to purchase a figure.

 

[polyphemus]

I've usually started from a base of W&N Indigo in the mix.

Geoff

 

[Cannonball]

I've usually started from a base of W&N Indigo in the mix.

Geoff

Thanks Geoff. I think I might have a play about with all the suggestions and see how I get on.

 

[billyturnip]

I've usually started from a base of W&N Indigo in the mix.

Geoff

Funnily enough when I was doing my experiment I picked up a tube of W&N Indigo but put it back in the box as I didn't want to use too many colours and complicate things. That might be a better substitute for the black I used.

 

[Rich Sculpts]

Try paynes grey and indigo blue

 

[Cannonball]

Funnily enough when I was doing my experiment I picked up a tube of W&N Indigo but put it back in the box as I didn't want to use too many colours and complicate things. That might be a better substitute for the black I used.

No worries Roger, I think I’ll try the different variations as suggested and play around a bit.

 

[Cannonball]

Try paynes grey and indigo blue

Thanks Rich Sculpts I’ll give it a try.

 

[John Bowery]

Acrylic royal blue was my base coat and I neglected that in the original comment, Sorry
Cheers
John

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys

Glad someone asked about this as I have a RAF bust from Gordon sculpted by Steve L ( valiant ) so these answers are very useful

Nap

 

[Richard Baxter]

Humbrol do an RAF blue in their acrylics range: shade number 96. I know it's not oils as requested but just thought that I'd throw it in for what it's worth.

 

[Cannonball]

Humbrol do an RAF blue in their acrylics range: shade number 96. I know it's not oils as requested but just thought that I'd throw it in for what it's worth.

Hi Richard, thanks for that. I’ve got their RAF blue in enamels which I’ll be using as the base over which to apply the oils. It’s just now a case of getting an oil mix something near to it.

 

[Cannonball]

Had a play around with the suggested colour combos today and eventually opted for the Payne’s Grey + Indigo option but lightened with the addition of some Titanium white. This seemed to be quite close to the Humbrol RAF blue I was using as the undercoat. I used extra Payne’s Grey in the base mix for shadowing and then dithered whether to use the addition of white as the highlight or Naples Yellow. Opted for the latter and this is the result so far- paint is still wet so hopefully the sheen will die down as it dries.

 

[billyturnip]

That looks pretty good and a note taken.

 

[Cannonball]

That looks pretty good and a note taken.

Hi Roger, in fairness I mixed John’s option as well and although it looked lighter and slightly bluer on the palette it dried a shade or two darker so either would probably work, it was just personal preference as it was so close to the undercoat I was using.

 

[billyturnip]

Hi Roger, in fairness I mixed John’s option as well and although it looked lighter and slightly bluer on the palette it dried a shade or two darker so either would probably work, it was just personal preference as it was so close to the undercoat I was using.

I know the topic of fading, different dyes, manufacturers etc. etc. has been discussed countless times but I think almost any combination of the suggested colours would work depending on the end result your after.
All I have to do now is decide which RAF figure from my shortlist to purchase.