On the old Discussion Board I posted a message about Haze Gray and it's FS number. Here is my post:

Does anyone know the FS Number for the gray paint that the US Navy uses? ???

(FS means Federal Standard) ::

PaintChip had this reply:

Depends on the timeline of when the ship was built and painted.

For example in March of 1943 the numbers for the grays matched to were:
Pale Gray FS 35526
Light Gray FS 36320
Haze Gray FS 35237
Ocean Gray FS 35164

Typically though for a modern US Navy gray it would be FS 16081 (Navy Gray).

I've seen a few places that sells the color charts for the military with all of the FS numbers but they run $500 or so for a set...haven't found a 100% reliable source online (i.e. a navy.mil address or other .gov or .mil) that states the colors.


Thanks Chip. I needed this information when it comes time to paint my USS Spurance and USS Bunker Hill models. Plus, I needed the FS numbers to transfer over to the Testors Model Master paints.

Here is what I have so far:

Light Gray FS 36320 - Testors calls this color Dark Ghost Gray
Haze Gray FS 35237 - Testors calls this color Medium Gray
Ocean Gray FS 35164 - Testors calls this color Intermediate Blue
FS 16081 Navy Gray - Testors calls this color Navy Gray

I found no paint in the Testors Model Master paints that cross match to Pale Gray FS 35526.

Any idea on the FS number for the Non-Skid? In the past I have used FS 36118, Testors calls this Gunship Gray.

I talked to Don at the Loyalhanna Dockyard and here is what he said he does. He took a paint chip to his local body shop and they color matched and made up a half gallon of paint for his Navy ship models. Since I don't have a paint chip, nor do I live a few miles away from Norfolk Naval Base as I once did, I needed the FS numbers. I have the color FS charts that the military uses. Before I retired (USAF) in 2000, my shop was tossing them out because they got new ones, so I grabbed it!!! Like I said, IF I still lived a few miles for the Norfolk Navel Base... I would have all may ?'s answered very quickly.

I think I may stick with the Testors Model Master paints... ??? humm... I may need to do a bit more checking and see what other modelers are using. Thanks for the information and anymore I get I will be sure and post it.

I got my FS chip book from the Government printing office for free!
But no such deals anymore...
http://apps.fss.gsa.gov/pub/fedspecs/

But this is cool too:
http://www.colorserver.net/

Pat M

I too got mine for free. I got mine when I was still in the service... but now it's in a box in my storage unit SOMEWHERE. Helpful links though.

From my experience the only thing Testors has changed with the FS numbers is what "they" call it. Example:

Haze Gray FS 35237 - Testors calls this color Medium Gray