Below is a list of RAL Colour Codes that have been matched to the Dinky range of models. The colours models are matched to RAL codes as shown in the K7 Classic RAL code book, which is available here;

RAL K7 Classic Book

RAL It is a European colour matching system, more info is available here: Wikipedia RAL Pages RAL has been used, mainly, as it is the paint system that I use, but also as it is a recognised standard of colour. The models that have been compared to the colour book have been taken apart and the paint that has been protected from everyday wear and tear or UV light has been compared. This is normally inside the model, so is the best way of seeing the original colour and shade.

The paints I use are from Hiroboy and are his range of Zero branded paints, airbrush ready etc. They are automotive paints and are an acrylic basecoat system which are based on an automotive paint technology.

This is a good comparison site for RAL to various other paint ranges;

Paint Conversion Chart

and also

Paint Charts

that includes names and colours, although this will depend on your monitor calibration. If you click on the RAL colour you are interested in in the chart on the above website and then click the 'Search Similar Colours' button from the resulting page, you will see the immediate comparisons for the popular paint manufacturers colour charts.

A Google search should give you some results for companies that will mix rattle spray cans in RAL codes for you, such as these UK based companies (these links are provided for information, not recommendation);

Paints4U

Jawel

It has also been brought to out attention by 650max that some of the Plasti-kote range of paints are directly RAL specified, so for example the Plasti-Kote 1115 Yellow is clearly labelled on the tin as RAL 1003 (signal) yellow, similarly, the 1117 Orange is labelled as 2004 (signal) orange. This is undoubtedly repeated throughout their range, so well worth checking their tins of paint.

The entries in the table below that are coloured black are actual matches from a model directly to a code book. Any entries in red are suppositions. Dinky used the same colour paint over a variety of models and eras, as can be seen from the duplication of codes in the tables. Over the period of production, there will have been very slight changes in shade, the codes shown below are best matches and should be considered as advice only, not absolute. If in doubt, always check first.

You will also see that some codes are annotated with 'lighten' or similar. This is when a suitable K7 RAL code is not present, the closest match is given with advice on action. You will also see that some light blues are coded 'Gulf'. Again, no direct RAL code is available for this colour, but it is close to/same as the colour used on the Gulf liveried sportscars, which is similar to Pantone 290.

If you click on the model number in the table below you will be taken to the http://www.diecast.plus.com/ page for that model.

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Red Firecracker

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Red Firecracker