by Art Braunschweiger, TRMA

British and Federal Standard colors

The British¹ and Federal Standard color systems provide a means of comparing colors visually.  By looking at a standard color chart on-line, it’s easy to get a good look at a color you may be considering, and it’s easy to discuss colors on-line in the Forum by referring to a standard that others can see.

The widespread applications in the military are the reason for the prevalence of military color names in many of the ModelMaster paint line, and to a lesser extent in other brands:  SAC Bomber Green and British Gulf Armor Light Stone, for example.   Both systems are now in use by their respective governments to specify both military and non-military colors – everything from post office trucks to lifeboats. 

Any color in the British or American (Federal) system will also have a number, and it’s actually the number that should be referenced.  A color’s name may change over time, but the number will remain constant.   Also, the Federal Standard colors have no official names; any names are common names that have evolved out of use.  The number should always be referenced in either system, whether or not the name is used. 

On a historical note - although the British system evolved in 1930, there is evidence that a number of existing colours were carried into the new system – including those in use by major shipping lines like White Star.  This is the basis for the argument the Humbrol paint Light Buff is actually White Star Buff, or close to it.  And while those holding to this opinion aren’t in the majority, it’s a good argument.

All ModelMaster paints derived from US military colors carry FS numbers.  This provides a means to reference the exact color using on one of the websites below.  The pages accessible through the additional quick-reference links at the bottom right of the page carry the FS numbers for ModelMaster paints, and for Humbrol, any paints with a direct FS equivalent.  (These sites are also listed on the TRMA main Paint Reference page.)

Make sure not to confuse a paint’s FS number with its manufacturer stock number. On ModelMaster paints, both are often shown on the label.

On-line access

Neither government provides color references on-line.  There are two reliable sites that
do, however (these are the two links shown at the top of the page).

FS 595B:  http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorserver/       
            IPMS Stockholm website (Sweden):  lookup of individual colors by FS number

BS 381c:  http://www.indfinspec.demon.co.uk/bs_381c_colour_chart.htm
            Industrial Finishing Specialists website (UK):  chart showing all colours

Purchasing sets of the color standards

1^st digit: degree of reflectance:
            1=full gloss – must reflect at least 80% of the light
            2= semi-gloss – must reflect 30-45 of the light
            3=lusterless (flat) – must reflect less than 8% of the light