XF-13 J.A. Green 10ml

Tamiya XF-13 J.A. Green (Enamel) — matte enamel paint 10 ml

This is a modeling paint, not a kit. XF-13 J.A. Green belongs to the Tamiya Color Enamel range, that is, to the solvent-based (synthetic, enamel) paints. The prefix XF means a matte shade and the bottle holds 10 ml. The abbreviation J.A. = Japanese Army: according to the manufacturer this is the green for the upper surfaces of the aircraft of the Japanese ARMY air force in the Second World War.

Army versus navy — the main trap

This is the commonest confusion in the whole range. In the war Japan had two separate air arms with their own color standards:

• XF-13 J.A. Green (this paint) — the green of ARMY air force aircraft.
• XF-11 J.N. Green — the green of NAVY aircraft (the upper surfaces of carrier and naval machines). It is not the same and the shades are not interchangeable.
• XF-12 J.N. Grey — the light gray of the lower surfaces of navy aircraft.

If you are building an army machine, XF-13 belongs on the upper surfaces. If you are building a navy machine, reach for XF-11 (and for XF-12 on the lower surfaces). Buying the green one with a J in the name blind is the commonest reason a model ends up in the wrong color.

Enamel, not acrylic

This bottle is an enamel. It is thinned and cleaned with Tamiya X-20 thinner (without the letter A) or with mineral spirits; the acrylic X-20A is not suitable for it. There is also a Tamiya acrylic range with the same shade numbers (water-thinnable, X-20A) — so check that you really are getting the enamel version. An enamel should also not be clear coated with nitrocellulose lacquers.

Use and tips

• The upper surfaces of Japanese army aircraft of the Second World War (airbrush and brush).
• For spraying it is thinned with X-20; the manufacturer recommends roughly 2 parts of thinner to 10 parts of paint.
• Stir thoroughly before use; apply several thin coats.
• Apply a gloss clear coat under decals — the matte surface is the final look, but decals silver on matte. After the decals, unify the surface with a matte clear coat.

Who the paint is for

For modelers of Second World War aircraft who build the machines of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force and want the right shade for the upper surfaces. Suitable for airbrush and for hand painting with a brush.

Safety: flammable. It irritates the airways. Work in a well-ventilated space and use respiratory protection when spraying. Protect it from open flame. Keep out of the reach of children.