Taken from the Iliad website, the description for this line of products reads, “Each set of pages provides ACTUAL PAINT CHIPS (not just printed reproductions) for the colours and schemes described! These have been carefully researched and produced to match the original factory production colours as closely as possible. Each Aircraft Colour Chart set also provides brief chronological descriptions of the various camouflage schemes as they evolved, and also one or more pages depicting typical camouflage patterns for the schemes covered. The heavy cardstock pages are drilled for insertion into either a 3-ring or an ISO binder, and the assembled collection will provide you with a superb colour reference.”

Currently, Iliad offers 15 Colour Charts. This review covers CC-007, RAF Tropical/Desert Aircraft, WWII North Africa & the Med. The product arrives within a zip lock bag, safely sealed and well protected. The packet of materials includes 3 pages of heavy cardstock, providing 5 pages of information and data, pre-punched for insertion into a binder.

• Page 1 contains text that indicates that this product covers aircraft of the RAF Tropical/Desert (WWII North Africa & the Med).
• Page 2 contains 9 color chips affixed to the card stock. Each chip is identified with a color description such as, “Dark Earth,“ “Dark Med Blue,” and “Sky.” Three of the chips represent color found on the lower surface and the remaining six chips represent colors found on the upper surfaces.
• Page 3 contains seven paragraphs which describe some of the various color applications one finds on RAF aircraft with a special note about the weathering and supply chain issues that affected the aircraft in the North African/Med Theatre of Ops in a unique way.
• Page 4 features a set of 3 view drawings showing the typical camouflage patterns one can apply. Page 4 features the P-40 and a single Spitfire while page 5 provides the same information for a Blenhiem.

Conclusion

This product is highly recommended. Comparing the colors represented on the Iliad charts with various other sources indicates that Iliad is identical or extremely similar in color intensity and tone. The product is well packaged and can be placed in a binder instantly upon opening the shipping packaging. The protection of the color chips is of paramount importance since that, after all, is the heart of the product. Thanks to Iliad for supplying this excellent product to IPMS/USA for allowing me to review it.

(Please note that in some circumstances the Canadian spelling for “colour” was retained while in other areas of this review the American spelling was used.)