Micro-Mark US Military Acrylic Painting Set, 81-Piece

Bring your military modeling to the next level with the most comprehensive set yet: the Micro-Mark 81-Piece U.S. Military Acrylic Paint Set Item #29503. This all-in-one collection houses a wide spectrum of historically accurate colors used by U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and ground units across conflicts from the Revolutionary War through to modern operations. Whether you’re building tanks, naval ships, aircraft, vehicles, or dioramas, this set delivers everything you need.

Key Features

• 81 colors and mediums that span uniforms, vehicles, equipment, and interiors.
• Includes historical standards: Revolution & Civil War, WWI, WWII Europe & Pacific, Korea, Vietnam, Desert campaigns, USAF modern camo, Naval finishes.
• High-pigment acrylic formulation: smooth coverage, good opacity, easily thinned for airbrush or used with brush.
• Made in USA: all paints produced with U.S. manufacturing standards.
• Complete set reduces guesswork: no need to hunt down individual paints, especially rare historic tones.

What’s in the Set

This paint kit includes foundational primers, camouflage tones, insignia colors, metallics, wood & leather tones, modern stealth & radar-absorbing grays, naval hulls & decks, and more. From “Union Blue” and “Confederate Gray” to “Olive Drab,” “Sea Blue,” “Radar Absorbing Dark Gray,” “Stealth Black,” and “Haze Gray” — you’ll have colors for every U.S. military era and branch.

Infantry & Uniform Colors

• 29445 – US Infantry Khaki Tan
  Classic WWI and early WWII uniform shade. Ideal for tunics, web gear, canvas packs, and helmets. A must-have for Doughboy and early GI figures. 2 bottles in case.
• 29446 – US Infantry Khaki Green
  Mid-war uniform shade transitioning into Korea. Perfect for fatigues, combat webbing, and transitional gear palettes. 2 bottles in case
• 29447 – US Olive Drab
• The core U.S. Army vehicle and gear paint across WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Suitable for tanks, trucks, helmets, and all manner of field equipment. 3 bottles included.
• 29501 – Confederate Gray
• Pale gray tailored for Civil War Confederate uniforms. Also useful for stonework, weathered concrete, and muted base tones.
• 29502 – Union Blue
  Deep, rich blue for Civil War Union uniforms, artillery trim, and regimental flags.

Leather, Fabric & Gear

• 29448 – Leather
• Natural brown for belts, boots, rifle slings, holsters, straps, and horse tack. Great for aging and dry-brushing. 2 bottles included.
• 29491 – Deck Tan
• Neutral tan ideal for sandbags, tents, weathered canvas, and wooden decks.
• 29499 – Soiled Wood
  Aged wood tone for rifle stocks, crates, and natural decking with a weathered appearance.

Camouflage & Field Schemes

• 29451 – Frogskin Camo Light Tan
• Base layer for USMC WWII frogskin camouflage, especially Pacific operations.
• 29452 – Frogskin Camo Dark Tan
• Mid-tone shade for depth in frogskin patterns, desert fatigues, or faded fabrics.
• 29453 – Frogskin Camo Tan
  Balanced tan for camouflage blending, webbing, and terrain bases.
• 29454 – Frogskin Camo Dark Green
• Jungle-green tone for camo blotches, foliage, and tentage.
• 29455 – Frogskin Camo Brown
  Earthy brown shade for camo blotches, boots, and gear details.
• 29485 – Medium Camo Brown
• Warm brown for NATO camouflage, terrain bases, and weathered structures.
• 29486 – Medium Camo Green
  Standard mid-green for camouflage patterns, fatigues, and gear.
• 29487 – Forest Camo Green
  Deep green for forest environments, woodland camo, and diorama vegetation.

Modern Desert Camouflage

• 29458 – US Desert Camo Light Tan
• Pale sand shade for Desert Storm uniforms, modern Middle Eastern vehicles, and terrain bases.
• 29459 – US Desert Camo Medium Tan
  Standard desert uniform tone; pairs well with light tan and khaki for layered camouflage.
• 29460 – US Desert Camo Sand
  Neutral desert color for vehicles, tents, and base groundwork.
• 29461 – US Desert Camo Khaki
  Khaki-tinted desert tone for webbing, fatigues, and load-bearing gear.
• 29462 – US Desert Camo Pale OliveSubtle olive shade for camouflage variation and desert gear blending.
• 29463 – US Desert Camo Brown
  Darker desert accent for camouflage depth and arid ground shading.

Metallics & Steels

• 29359 – Gunmetal
  Classic metallic gray for rifles, bayonets, and machine gun barrels.
• 29449 – Dark Steel Gray
  Industrial gray with olive undertones, perfect for tools, exposed steel, and armored parts.
• 29500 – Sabre Steel
  Bright steel finish for swords, sabres, and polished military hardware.
• 29394 – Aluminum
• Bright metallic silver for aircraft panels, trim, and armored edges.
• 29392 – Iron
• Dark metallic tone for cannons, fortifications, and heavy machinery.
• 29396 – Copper
  Metallic copper for fittings, pipes, and historical detailing

Naval & Aircraft Colors

• 29468 – Insignia Yellow
  Bright yellow for aircraft insignia, markings, and visibility accents.
• 29469 – Tuskegee Red
  Distinctive tail red of the Tuskegee Airmen. Excellent for markings and identifiers.
• 29457 – Insignia White
  Crisp white for aircraft roundels, insignia, helmets, and highlight details.
• 29472 – Non-Specular Light Gray
• WWII naval aircraft underside tone; flat finish to reduce reflection.
• 29473 – Intermediate Blue
  Mid-tone US Navy aircraft color for fuselages and camouflage blending.
• 29474 – Non-Specular Sea Blue
  WWII carrier aircraft upper surface tone, flat for concealment at sea.
• 29480 – Ghost Gray
  Modern aircraft neutral gray for stealth finishes and shading.
• 29481 – Radar Absorbing Light Gray
  Specialized gray for stealth coatings, UAVs, and advanced aircraft.
• 29482 – Radar Absorbing Dark Gray
  Dark stealth gray for next-generation military hardware.
• 29483 – Stealth Black
  Ultra-matte black for radar-absorbing surfaces and night ops gear.
• 29488 – Dark Gunship Gray
  Standard modern U.S. Air Force tone for aircraft and helicopters.
• 29490 – Haze Gray
  Signature U.S. Navy ship tone for hulls and superstructures.
• 29492 – Hull Red
  Anti-fouling ship hull paint with a red-brown base. 2 bottles included.
• 29493 – Deck Blue
  WWII U.S. Navy deck surface color for carriers, cruisers, and destroyers.
• 29494 – Navy Blue
  Used in WWII Measure 21/22 schemes for ship hulls and aircraft camouflage.
• 29495 – Dark Sea Gray
  Muted gray for British naval aircraft and overcast weather schemes.
• 29450 – Tire Rubber

A flat dark gray perfect for wheels, tank treads, gas masks, and other rubberized gear details. 2 bottles included.

 

Primers & Interiors

• 29470 – Zinc Chromate
  WWII aircraft primer, vivid yellow-green for wheel wells, interiors, and engine bays. 2 bottles included.
• 29471 – Interior Green
  USAAF cockpit interior shade; versatile for vehicle interiors as well. 2 bottles included.

·        29365 – Clear Coat

Durable protective finish that seals paint layers with a clean matte surface. 2 bottles included.

 

·        29400 – Gray Primer

Neutral primer providing strong adhesion and a balanced base for any color.  2 bottles included.

·        29398 – White Primer

Bright primer that enhances color vibrancy and detail visibility.  2 bottles included.

·        29399 – Black Primer

Deep primer that adds shadow depth and improves metallic coverage. 2 bottles included.

 

 

Basics & Accents

• 29279 – Flat Black
  Essential matte black for shadows, weapons, and basecoats.
• 29288 – Flat Red
  Strong matte red for insignia, warning stripes, and unit markings.
• 29497 – Cream
  Soft off-white for interiors, insignia trim, and detail highlighting.

 

Mediums

 

·        29312 – Thinner

Specially formulated to thin Micro-Mark acrylics for smooth brushwork or airbrush application. Includes 3 bottles.

·        29295 – Cleaner

Effective acrylic paint cleaner for brushes, airbrushes, and work surfaces. 3 bottles included.

·        29268 – Retarder

Slows drying time to reduce brush marks and extend blending workability. 2 bottles included.

·        29313 – Flow Improver

Enhances flow and leveling for crisp detail painting and smoother finishes. Ideal to add for airbrushing. 2 bottles included.

 

Also included are 3 Empty Bottles, 20 ml bottles for mixing, storing, and organizing custom paint blends.

 

Finally, crafted from durable fabric with a reinforced outer shell, the case is ideal for workshops, conventions, club meets, or just staying organized at home. Item #29443 sells for $49.95. The interior lid pocket with zipper provides extra room for brushes, labels, or mixing accessories, while the easy-carry handle makes transport a breeze. This is the ultimate storage upgrade for anyone serious about paint organization.

 

Historical Context & Why These Colors Matter

The Legacy of U.S. Military Colors

Military paint colors are more than just aesthetics: they carry authenticity, camouflage effectiveness, and historic narrative. Colors evolve based on materials, mission needs, environment, and technology.

• Revolutionary & Civil Wars: natural dyes, fabric colors, uniform distinctions (Union Blue, Confederate Gray, Leather, Red & White for flags).
• WWI & WWII Eras: Olive Drab, Neutral Grays, Sea Blue, Non-Specular Light Gray/Sea Blue for Navy aircraft, Aluminum naturally exposed surfaces, primers like Zinc Chromate & Interior Green.
• Cold War Through Vietnam: tactical camouflage (jungle greens, medium browns), base equipment finishes, USAF modern camo, radar-absorbing coatings.
• Modern Stealth & Naval Finishes: Haze Gray, Dark Sea Gray, stealth black, deck & hull red, non-skid deck tan, etc.

Why Accuracy Is Important

• For historical modelers: period-correct colors recreate uniforms, vehicles, aircraft that reflect real people and battles.
• For diorama builders: realistic color fading, contrast, and layering rely on authentic base tones.
• For collectors and hobbyists: paint that matches museum examples or reference photos adds credibility and resale/collectibility value.

Use-Cases / Applications

Aircraft

• WWII fighters and bombers: use Aluminum, Olive Drab, Tuskegee Red, Insignia Yellow, Interior Green, Zinc Chromate for cockpits.
• Pacific Theater Navy aircraft: Sea Blue, Intermediate Blue, Deck Blue, Non-Specular Light Gray, etc.
• Modern USAF jets: Radar-absorbing colors, Ghost Gray, Insignia White, Stealth Black.

Vehicles & Armor

• Tanks (WWII, Korea, Vietnam): Olive Drab, Medium Camo Green, Dark Steel Gray, Forest Green, Brown tones.
• Desert & arid terrain operations: Desert Camo tans & browns.
• Cold War/NATO patterns: disruptive camo, USAF ground equipment, camouflage nets.

Naval & Maritime

• Hulls, decks, superstructures: Navy Blue, Deck Blue, Haze Gray, Dark Sea Gray.
• Underside of ships: Hull Red (anti-fouling).
• Deck fittings, wood & copper textures: Deck Tan, Copper, Soiled Wood.

Historical Reenactment & Uniforms

• Civil War & Revolutionary period: Union Blue, Confederate Gray, Cream, Flat Red, Leather.
• Flags, insignia, national markings: White, Crimson Red, etc.

Dioramas & Scenic Elements

• Terrain features: Soiled Wood, Earth Brown, Browns & Greens for foliage.
• Interiors and interiors of vehicles/aircraft: Interior Green, Primer shades, Metallics.
• Battle damaged/weathered looks: layering with blacks, grays, rust-like browns, etc.

Technical Details & Performance

Paint Composition & Finish

• Acrylic base: water-soluble, non-toxic once dry, safe for indoor hobby use.
• Finish: mostly satin to matte, depending on color and how much thinning or washing is used. Metallics have sheen.
• Pigment strength: formulated for good opacity, especially in darker / standard camo tones.

Compatibility

• Works well on plastic, resin, metal, wood, and even fabric projects.
• Brush application: easy to layer.
• Airbrush compatible: thin with acrylic medium or thinner to reduce clogging and extend spray time.

Coverage & Quantity

• Each jar offers sufficient volume to finish multiple models; large 81-pcs set saves time & cost vs buying individual colors.
• Suggested mixing: you can create intermediary shades by blending existing colors (e.g., for faded tones or custom camo).

Safety & Usage Tips

• Shake well before use.
• Prime surface if needed; some materials absorb more.
• Allow drying time between layers.
• Use sealant or varnish for protecting finished pieces, especially metallics.

What Makes This Set Unique vs Other Brands

Made in the USA

• Local production ensures tighter quality control.
• Possible faster restocking and consistency compared to imports.
• Don’t buy your US Military model paints from Europe.

Breadth & Depth

• With 81 colors, this set includes colors many single-line sets do not offer.
• Historic depth: Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWII, modern, naval, air, ground camo — very wide coverage in one package.

Price / Value Proposition

• Buying in bulk saves compared to assembling the same breadth via smaller sets or individual jars.
• Offers all necessary primers, metallics, and specialty colors — fewer gaps in your paint desk.

Community & Brand Heritage

• Micro-Mark reputation among military & historical modelers.
• Support for references and authenticity (e.g., color matching to standard charts, naval measures, etc.).

Tips for Getting the Best Results

Color Pairing & Camo Transitions

• Use Olive Drab + Medium/Forest Camo Green + Medium Camo Brown for multi-tone vehicle camo.
• For aircraft, pair Sea Blue/Intermediate Blue for top/side surfaces, Light Gray for undersides.
• Metallics like Sabre Steel + Irons + Leather help finish hardware, weapons, and exhaust.

Weathering & Realism

• Apply base coat; then dry-brush lighter shade for highlights.
• Use washes with dark gray / black to bring out panel lines.
• Sponge or stipple rust-colored browns on edges & joints for chipping/rust.

Interior Detailing

• Cockpits often used Interior Green or Zinc Chromate.
• Susceptible metal parts: use metallic colors, but dull them slightly with washes.
• Leather & wood tones for control sticks, seat belts, floorboards.

Painting Order Suggestion

1. Prime or base coat.
2. Camouflage / large surface color.
3. Metallics & hardware.
4. Interior sections.
5. Detailing, insignia, decals.
6. Weathering, shading, varnish.

FAQs & Common Questions

Q: Does this set include enamel or lacquer paints?
No — these are 100% acrylic. For modelers who prefer enamel or lacquer, use proper primers first; these acrylics adhere well after suitable surface prep.

Q: Can I use these paints for miniatures / tabletop gaming?
Absolutely. While many colors are historically military, they can be used for fantasy / gaming minis (vehicle bases, armor, weathering, etc.). The metallics, darks, and neutral shades are especially useful.

Q: Will the colors fade or change over time?
High-quality pigments are used; for best long-term preservation, avoid extreme sunlight and seal with acrylic varnish after finishing.

Q: Are the metallics non-hazardous?
They are acrylic metallics. As with all acrylates, safe once dry; use in well-ventilated areas, avoid ingestion/contact when wet.

Q: How should I clean brushes after use?
Use warm water and mild soap; for metallics, make sure to clean well immediately to avoid buildup.

Q: How many models can I paint with one set?
That depends on the size of models & how much coverage you need. For small scale (1/72-1/35 tanks & vehicles), you’ll be able to finish several; aviation builds will need more metallic/aluminum usage, so plan accordingly.

Comparison, Call to Action, and Supplementary Use Cases

How This Set Compares to Vallejo / The Army Painter / Others

Feature	Micro-Mark 81-piece Set	Vallejo (individual lines or smaller packs)	The Army Painter (Speed / Fantasy / Game Line)
Number of colors / breadth	Very high — 81 colors across multiple eras and domains	Requires multiple packs/ends or custom buys to match breadth	Strong in fantasy/game, less in historic breadth unless buying many sets
Historical authenticity	Deep: many obscure / period-accurate shades included	Good, but sometimes generic camo lines	More skewed toward bright & fantasy colors, less historical detail
Price per ml / value	Likely favorable due to bulk	Individual bottles often cost more per ml when targeting many different colors	Often premium for speed paint / fantasy art tools
Made-in-USA / brand identity	Made in USA	Made in Spain	Made in Denmark

Supplementary Use Cases

• Scale model competitions / display boards: having all shades together helps in accurate build setups.
• Hobby workshops, clubs, schools: Perfect for institutions that need varied palettes.
• Gift idea for serious modelers.

 

The Becker Signature Series sets are curated by former US Military Donald Becker. Donald is an employee of Micro-Mark with the job title of Master Maker.  He is a long-time modeler.