Air Force Blue vs RAL 180-1
Where Air Force Blue belongs to Little Greene's range, RAL 180-1 is a RAL Effect color. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. RAL 180-1 (LRV 49) reflects noticeably more light than Air Force Blue (LRV 22), a difference of 27 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 25.1, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Air Force Blue vs RAL 180-1 in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Air Force Blue and RAL 180-1 in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Kitchen
In a kitchen, colors are seen under bright task lighting that amplifies undertones — what reads neutral elsewhere can show its hand here. RAL 180-1 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Air Force Blue.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. RAL 180-1 reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Air Force Blue.
Color Details
Air Force Blue vs RAL 180-1 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Air Force Blue on one side and RAL 180-1 on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Air Force Blue comparisons
See how Air Force Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
