Standard colors of USMC helicopters since 1950s

From end of WW2 until mid-1950s US Marine Corps’ helicopters used the same colors as those used by US Navy (at first Sea Blue, then Light Gull Grey). After 1956 majority of USMC helicopters adopted the so called „land-scheme†with overall application of Field Green paint (matt or glossy, depending on the year). After 1986 the new grey-green-black camouflage was introduced for exclusive use by USMC aviation, while after 1991 a standard two-grey Tactical Paint Scheme was implemented to all helicopters of the Corps.

Contains the following colors (lacquer based paints, optimized for use with airbrush):

HTK-C001 – Dark Sea Blue – ANA 623, standard color of US carrier-based aircraft from late 1944 until 1955 including HO3S-1, HRS-1/2/3 and HO5S-1

HTK-C048 – Light Gull Grey – ANA 620, interim color of US naval helis between 1955 and 1957, including HRS-3s. Later used on CH-53D Sea Stallions

HTK-C059 – Field Green – ANA 627, standard color of USMC helis (incl. AH-1, UH-1, CH-46, CH-53) from 1956 till mid-1980s. Later in 3-colour scheme

HTK-C046 – Medium Grey – FS35237, used in green-grey-black scheme. Also in modern Tactical Paint Scheme (AH-1Z, UH-1N, CH-46E, CH-53E, MV-22B)

HTK-C037 – Light Ghost Grey – FS36375, used in Tactical Paint Scheme of USMC helicopters (AH-1Z, UH-1N, CH-46E, CH-53E) and tilt-rotors (MV-22B)

HTK-C041 – Night Black – FS37038, used between 1986 and 1991 in green-grey-black scheme. Also for selective application in other paint schemes

HTK-C035 – Dark Ghost Grey – FS36320, used in modern Tactical Paint Scheme of US Marine Corps Bell / Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotors

HTK-C060 – USMC Sand – Used during Desert Storm campaign on USMC AH-1s, UH-1s, CH-46s and CH-53s as field application over permanent colors