Acrylic Model Paint Set VALLEJO Model Air 71.157 — Air War US Navy & USMC Colors (8×18 ml)

VALLEJO Model Air 71.157 — Air War US Navy & USMC Colors (8×18 ml) is an acrylic airbrush-ready paint set designed for scale model aircraft and restoration projects. The set contains eight 18 ml bottles with historically themed colors used by the US Navy and US Marine Corps during 1940–1945. Formulated for fine atomization, these paints deliver smooth, even coatings and are intended for application by airbrush; they also show good adhesion to common modelling substrates such as plastic and resin.

Advantages

The paints are pre-thinned for airbrush use, offering consistent flow and fine atomization that reduce the need for additional thinning in many cases. Pigment selection aims to reproduce wartime hues accurately for historically faithful finishes. The acrylic formulation dries relatively quickly, allows layering and detail work, and is compatible with common model preparation and finishing techniques.

Suitable for

• Airbrushing scale model aircraft from the 1940–1945 US Navy and USMC service period
• Touch-ups and restoration of historical model kits
• Painting plastic, resin and other common modelling materials
• Layering, shading and weathering workflows when used with standard modelling thinners and mediums

When it may not be suitable

Although optimized for airbrush application, these paints may require further thinning or adjustment for use with very fine nozzles or for non-airbrush techniques such as brush-only painting. The set focuses on historical US Navy and USMC colors from 1940–1945 and therefore may not include contemporary or non-US color schemes required for other projects.

Key specifications

• Type: Acrylic, airbrush-ready paint
• Volume per bottle: 18 ml
• Number of bottles: 8
• Intended substrates: Plastic, resin and similar modelling materials
• Color set: US Navy and USMC wartime colors (circa 1940–1945)
• Application method: Airbrush; can be adapted for brushwork with thinning

How to use

Shake each bottle well before use to ensure pigment dispersion. For airbrushing, test flow on a scrap surface and thin only if necessary using a manufacturer-recommended thinner or distilled water, depending on nozzle size and desired finish. Apply thin, even passes to build up color gradually and allow sufficient drying time between coats. For brush application, adjust viscosity with a suitable acrylic thinner or medium and use multiple thin coats to avoid brush marks. Clean the airbrush and tools promptly after use with appropriate cleaners to prevent clogging.

What to consider before purchase

• Set contains eight specific US Navy & USMC colors from the 1940–1945 period; verify that these hues match your modelling needs
• Designed primarily for airbrush application; additional thinning may be required for certain tools or techniques
• Check compatibility with primers, varnishes and weathering products you plan to use
• Ensure adequate ventilation and follow safety recommendations when airbrushing

Usage recommendations

For historically accurate results on 1/48 and 1/72 scale aircraft, apply multiple light airbrushed coats rather than a single heavy pass, and allow full drying between layers before masking or weathering. Use complementary Vallejo primers and varnishes for improved adhesion and durable finishes.