What’s the correct paint color for the S-3B Viking “NAVY 1”?

[basko]

I’ve been working on a model of the S-3B Viking that served as “NAVY 1” and I’ve run into some confusion about the right color to use. I’ve seen three different FS numbers mentioned in forums and online references — 36375, 36327, and 36440 — and each seems to be cited by different sources. Some photos make it look more like a cool gray, others like a warmer tone. Does anyone here know for sure which one is the most accurate for the aircraft as it appeared in 2003?

[dymaniz]

This is one of those paint scheme debates that just won’t die, but luckily there’s been some pretty solid discussion in the Czech modeling community about this exact plane. Over on ModelForum.cz, a few folks went into great detail comparing reference photos, model kit instructions, and actual Navy documentation. The general consensus among people who’ve studied it closely (and even built the same kit) is that FS36375 is the best match — it’s a standard light gray used by both the Navy and Air Force in that era. Some of the other FS numbers you’ve seen, like 36440, are older high-vis schemes that were phased out. There’s also been some confusion with Italeri’s labeling on paints, which doesn’t help. I’d recommend reading through the conversation here: https://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?p=2592763.
It’s mostly in Czech, but if you use a translator, the info is gold. They even mention specific areas of the plane that used accent colors like FS35237 around the canopy. Worth checking out if you want to get your model looking right.