RAF Mid Bronze Green BS No. 23

RAF Mid Bronze Green BS No. 23: the colour of RAF bombs

RAF Mid Bronze Green BS No. 23 reproduces Mid Bronze Green from the 1931 edition of BS 381, colour No. 23. The RAF used it on its bombs from late 1940 until 1964, so it covers both wartime and early Cold War ordnance. It is a dark, slightly olive green with a brownish undertone. This water-based acrylic is formulated for the airbrush and gives a matt base that takes stencils, coloured identification bands and chipping well. Use it for bomb loads on Lancasters, Halifaxes, Mosquitoes, Typhoons and post-war types, as well as for bomb trolleys and dioramas.

The problem with matte finishes

A matte finish hides nothing: fingerprints, uneven coats and gloss patches all show. Spray light, even coats, avoid handling the parts, and finish with a matte or satin clear to keep the sheen consistent.

How to apply

1. Shake the bottle for at least 60 seconds.
2. Prime with a grey primer and let it dry fully.
3. Airbrush straight from the bottle, no thinning needed. Use a 0.2–0.4 mm nozzle at around 20 PSI (1.4 bar) and apply light, cross-hatched coats, letting each one flash off before the next.
4. Let the paint cure overnight before masking, decals or weathering.
5. Seal with a water-based clear: matte or satin to keep the military finish, gloss under decals.
6. Clean the airbrush with water before the paint dries.

Why modelers choose Koloi Aqua

• Ready to spray: no guessing thinning ratios, the same result from every bottle
• Cleans up with water, so there are no strong solvent fumes at the bench
• Fine pigment grind for 1:8 to 1:72 scales, so panel lines and detail stay crisp
• One system: primer, colour and clear designed to work together

Shelf life

Estimated shelf life of more than 12 months when stored tightly closed between +10 °C and +28 °C, away from frost and direct sunlight. Shake well before use; if the paint has thickened or separated and does not remix, do not use it.

💡 Need a colour we don’t list? Our colour lab matches RAL, RLM, FS and BS paint codes on request.

The on-screen image is indicative: historical military colours varied between factories, batches and weathering, and the final tone depends on the primer, the number of coats and the clear coat. Keep out of reach of children. Safety Data Sheet available on request.