Vallejo Soviet VVS Paint Set 71.196 Pre-War Air War Colors
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8 Historical Soviet VVS Colors for Pre-War and 1941 Aircraft
Painting early Soviet aircraft can be confusing because pre-war VVS schemes used several greens, blues, greys, and metallic finishes before the better-known later-war camouflage standards became common. The Vallejo 71.196 Soviet VVS Model Air Set gives modelers a focused airbrush-ready palette for aircraft operated by the Soviet Air Force from the 1930s through the opening phase of the Great Patriotic War in 1941.
This set is especially useful for subjects such as early Soviet fighters, trainers, reconnaissance aircraft, and light bombers, including models inspired by the I-15, I-16, MiG-3, LaGG-3, and other pre-war or early-war VVS aircraft. The colors cover protective greens, underside blues, light grey, and aluminium finishes, giving you a practical starting point for camouflage, undersides, interiors, early metallic surfaces, and weathered operational finishes.
All eight colors belong to the Vallejo Model Air range, designed for smooth airbrushing and fine pigment control on scale models and miniatures.
Included Colors
| Vallejo Reference | Color Name | Useful Hobby Role |
|---|---|---|
| 71.409 | Zashchitnyi | Protective green base tone for early Soviet aircraft camouflage |
| 71.410 | All Zashchitnyi Camouflage Green | Main green camouflage variation and upper surface modulation |
| 71.411 | A-19F Grass Green | Brighter green variation for pre-war and early-war camouflage contrast |
| 71.412 | VVS Grey Blue | Grey-blue tone for underside work, modulation, and faded aircraft surfaces |
| 71.317 | All SV. Gol Light Blue | Classic light blue underside tone for Soviet aircraft schemes |
| 71.413 | A-18F Light Blue | Alternative light blue for undersides and subtle tonal variation |
| 71.062 | Aluminium Metallic | Metallic surfaces, worn edges, propeller blades, and exposed wear areas |
| 71.414 | AEH-9 Light Grey | Interior areas, light grey surfaces, early airframe details, and neutral highlights |
Why Modelers Choose Vallejo Soviet VVS Paint Set 71.196
- Focused early-war VVS palette: Built for Soviet aviation schemes from the pre-war period through 1941.
- Useful color range: Includes greens, blues, light grey, and metallic aluminium for aircraft camouflage and detail work.
- Airbrush-ready Model Air formula: Designed for smooth application through an airbrush in many common modeling setups.
- Matte acrylic finish: Creates a realistic scale look and works well with washes, filters, dry brushing, and weathering.
- Good for more than one subject: Useful for fighters, trainers, small aircraft, reconnaissance types, and early-war diorama projects.
Soviet VVS Camouflage Schemes: Historical Context for Modelers
Vallejo 71.196 Soviet VVS Model Air Set is not only for copying one box-art scheme. The green tones can be layered to create subtle panel variation, sun fading, and factory or field-applied camouflage differences. The light blues are useful for undersides, but they can also be softened with grey or weathering filters to avoid an overly bright finish on smaller scales. Aluminium adds value for propeller leading edges, exposed wear, chipped panels, and early aircraft details where metal surfaces are visible.
For 1/72 scale aircraft, keep the contrasts soft and controlled. For 1/48 scale projects, you can push the modulation slightly more by using thin passes of Zashchitnyi, A-19F Grass Green, and VVS Grey Blue to break up large surfaces without making the camouflage look patchy.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Vallejo reference | 71.196 |
| EAN / Barcode | 8429551711968 |
| Range | Vallejo Model Air |
| Set contents | 8 acrylic colors |
| Bottle size | 8 x 17 ml / 0.57 fl oz |
| Paint type | Water-based acrylic |
| Finish | Matte, with one metallic aluminium color included |
| Format | Eyedropper bottles |
| Primary use | Soviet VVS pre-war to 1941 aircraft camouflage |
| Application | Airbrush-ready paint for scale models and miniatures |
| Recommended surfaces | Primed plastic, resin, and metal model surfaces |
Pro Tips from the Studio
| Requirement | Expert Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Recommended PSI | Start around 15â20 PSI and adjust based on your airbrush, needle size, and distance from the model. |
| Thinning | Model Air can often be sprayed directly, but Vallejo Airbrush Thinner can help with finer control and smoother transitions. |
| Flow Control | If you experience tip dry or inconsistent flow, add a few drops of Vallejo Airbrush Flow Improver rather than over-thinning with water. |
| Surface Prep | Apply over a clean, primed surface so the greens, blues, and metallic color sit evenly. |
| Layering | Build camouflage with thin coats instead of heavy passes to preserve panel lines, rivets, and raised detail. |
| Cleaning | Flush the airbrush with Vallejo Airbrush Cleaner between colors to reduce residue and color contamination. |
Expert Tip for Early VVS Aircraft
For a pre-war or early 1941 Soviet aircraft, start with the main protective green tone, then use a slightly different green in thin passes to create panel variation and scale fading. Keep the underside blue clean but not too bright by adding subtle grey-blue shading around panel lines and recesses. Use Aluminium Metallic only in controlled areas such as propeller edges, exposed wear points, or selected metallic details so the aircraft still feels painted and operational rather than overly chipped.
New to airbrushing aircraft? Our beginner airbrush setup guide covers compressor settings, needle sizes, and paint flow for fine detail work.
Frequently Asked Questions â Vallejo 71.196 Soviet VVS Set
What are the 8 colors in Vallejo 71.196?
The set includes Zashchitnyi, All Zashchitnyi Camouflage Green, A-19F Grass Green, VVS Grey Blue, All SV. Gol Light Blue, A-18F Light Blue, Aluminium Metallic, and AEH-9 Light Grey. All 8 bottles are 17ml airbrush-ready acrylics.
What aircraft is the Vallejo 71.196 set designed for?
The set covers pre-war Soviet fighters and early Great Patriotic War aircraft including the I-15, I-16, MiG-3, and LaGG-3. It also supports bombers and observation aircraft using Soviet VVS schemes from the 1930s through summer 1941.
Does the Vallejo 71.196 set require thinning?
No. Vallejo Model Air sprays directly from the bottle at 15â20 PSI with a 0.3mm or 0.4mm needle. For longer working time, add Vallejo Airbrush Flow Improver rather than thinning heavily with water.
What scale is the Soviet VVS set best suited for?
It works across 1:72, 1:48, and 1:32 scales. The matte acrylic finish and fine pigment distribution help preserve detail on smaller aircraft while still supporting modulation and fading work on larger builds.
How does Zashchitnyi green compare to other Soviet aircraft colors?
Zashchitnyi is a protective khaki-green used on many early Soviet aircraft upper surfaces. It is warmer and more subdued than brighter green tones like A-19F Grass Green, making it useful as a main camouflage base for pre-war and early 1941 VVS aircraft.
Safety Note: Contains preservatives that may produce an allergic reaction. Always follow the product label, use in a ventilated area, avoid contact with eyes, and keep paint containers closed when not in use.