Paint chips are a controversial subject matter

Here my thoughts (I know someone won't agree)

1) color chips are the best color documentation
2) If you can look at the exact airplane you are modeling compare the real airplane to the FS color chips, match to model to the color chips
3) A photographic picture can vary the colors due to printing variations from lab to lab, so that is not even exact or true.
4) then how to determine flat, semi-gloss and gloss....be careful on that one...makes a difference. Anti-glare panels on some planes are flat and yet have glossy finishes.
5) You can use printed litature like IMPS color guide and other color guides that determine the historical colors used on military planes
6) or better yet a letter from the owner stating what paint he used, just match them to a FS color chip and you are done.

I will use a picture (best representation) as a 2nd choice and will always use color chips when ever I can. Plastic models also have FS color numbers in the kits, another good source for information.

By the way - www.bobsairdoc.com has pictures of that Gee Bee, great plane, I have seen him at Reno multiple times, I have some nice pictures of that plane.

Good luck,
Fred Cronenwett

Here is how to get a set of 595 chips ---- call first these prices are not right -----

Depending upon what you choose to model, finding the documentation may be easy or difficult. The historical information about FS numbers is well documented for military aircraft, but the civilian aircraft will be more difficult to prove. If you have a color photograph and there is no information about FS color chip information about your aircraft you may be forced to use the color photograph as a color chip. In this case pick one photo and tell the judges to use this one particular photograph as the color chip.

Once you get your color chips for you subject aircraft mix your paint to match the color chips. Also be sure to match the degree of gloss that best matches your subject aircraft.

How to order color chips and Fan Deck of color chips:

Write to: General Services Administration
Federal Supply Service Bureau
Specification Section
470 East L’enfant Plaza S.W. Suite 8100
Washington, D.C. 20407
(202) 755-0325

Make checks payable to: “The General Services Administration, Attention: Specifications”
Be sure to include a cover letter with your check when you order color chips.

Personal checks over $20 are not accepted, send a money order or use your credit card. This information about price can change quickly so please call to verify the prices and availability are correct. Also verify that the FS color chip you want is available, some of the color chip numbers listed in the IPMS color guide are not always available. The best way to do this is to have the fan deck of all the color chips that way you can verify the FS number availability and see what color you have selected.

3” x 5” color chips are $2 each, $2.50 foreign (tell them what FS numbers you want of course)

Fan deck of all the color chips (highly recommended) is $35 ($43.75 foreign)


You can order your own copy of the IPMS color cross-reference guide:
Meteor Productions, Inc
P.O. Box 3956
Merrifield, Va 22116
703-971-0500
Web Site: meteorprod.com

$45.00 for IPMS Color Guide only, plus postage, call for details
$58.95 with FS595 fan deck color chips, plus shipping, call for details
Call for current pricing and availability