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Does anyone have any experience with this combination? I am thinning it down one to one with Vallejo airbrush thinner and it seems to come out an entirely different color than when it's brushed on. Any advice?

The VGC heavy colors use the exact same formulation as the VMC paints. In this case, VGC Heavy Blue is relabeled VMC Prussian Blue (reference, 4.2 and 4.4).

When you say "an entirely different colour" what exactly do you mean? Can you describe how it is different?

 Ghaz wrote:
In this case, VGC Heavy Blue is relabeled VMC Prussian Blue (reference, 4.2 and 4.4).

If that's true, I have Vallejo Prussian Blue and it airbrushes fine for me. The only thing of note (and it applies to all airbrushing) is often the sheen of the paint is different when you airbrush it vs paint it by hairy brush, airbrushing usually produces a less glossy finish which can make some colours look more pale (though if you hit it with a varnish it'll usually end up looking the same).

Yes, its true. From the Vallejo FAQ:

4.2. Are the new extra opaque colors in Game Color similar to Model Color?
Yes, for these 16 Extra Opaque colors, the Model Color formula was used, since the viscosity of this formula supplies the opacity needed for a quick, one- coat base or foundation application.

4.4. Are the colors in Game color the same as in Model Color, only more liquid?
No, we produced a selection of colors designed for Fantasy Figures, and although the basic colors (red, blue, etc.) may be alike, the major part of the range will not have any match in Model Color, always excepting the 16 colors in the Extra Opaque series, which have exact equivalents in the Model Color range.

Those equivalents can be found in the Vallejo Equivalent Values.

Yeah, I read that.... I'm just always suspicious when I'm told "this paint is exactly the same as that other paint just in a different bottle". Even when manufacturers have said it I don't really trust it, Vallejo is a company that has in the past changed paint formulas without even changing the name or product number, so I naturally raise an eyebrow when one colour is apparently supposed to be identical to another

But yeah, I have VMC Prussian Blue and I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary when spraying it (it's one of the colours I use for my Space Wolves, so I spray it more often than a hairy brush paint it).

Vallejo hasn't made it a secret that their formulas can change. It's even in their FAQ:

2.1. Who invented Model Color?
Spanish model-painters, having worked with solvent based paints, began to use some of our fine-arts acrylics in the 1980ties; they eventually suggested changes and modifications in our formulas, and we designed a product in accordance with their needs. After some years of development, this was to become Model Color. The product has a complicated chemical composition, and formulas are revised constantly in accord with new developments in technology, availability of new resins and raw materials, changes in pigments, and updated regulations and environmental concerns.

However I find no reason not to believe them when they say its the same paint. If the formula for VMC Prussian Blue changes then so to would the formula for VGC Heavy Blue. Nor do I see that a formula change would require a change in its name of product color if it doesn't affect the end result. I'm sure that they're not the only company that does so, but they are the only ones who are upfront about it.

If you are using the exact same color - airbrushing will always be a very thin coat so your underlying color will have a stronger effect on it. Especially if you thin it down quite a bit. Unless you deliberately put on a wet thick coat with the AB of course.

E.g. if you airbrush over a black primer it will always be a lot darker than a handbrushed model.

I just made that experience when I painted some bases with the brush, using the same colors that I usually airbrush. I was shocked how different it looked. Had to go back to the AB because i couldn't replicate the effect.

Klaus von Groehm wrote:
Unless you deliberately put on a wet thick coat with the AB of course

You don't have to put it on wet and thick, you just build it up gradually with multiple passes (spray a layer then wait a few seconds and spray another).

Another word on this regarding VMC vs. VMA. I just got my VMA "German Grey" which is supposed to be the equivalent of VMC "German Field Green WWII". Here is a side by side comparison, you can see they are not even similar. I didn't expect it to be the same but tought I can share this regardless.

VMA German Green on the left, VMC Field Grey WW2 on the right.

Looking at the Vallejo Equivalent Values, I don't see where they say VMA 71.052 German Grey is an equivalent of VMC 70.830 German Fieldgrey WWII. If anything, I would have expected it to be an equivalent of VMC 70.995 German Grey instead.

 Ghaz wrote:
Looking at the Vallejo Equivalent Values, I don't see where they say VMA 71.052 German Grey is an equivalent of VMC 70.830 German Fieldgrey WWII. If anything, I would have expected it to be an equivalent of VMC 70.995 German Grey instead.

Yup, i mixed the names up. Corrected it. German grey is almost black.

When it comes to VMA and VMC, I don't think Vallejo has ever stated they are exact matches. In the link Ghaz posted however they do state that the VGC Extra Opaque paints have exact equivalents in the VMC line.

Yes. 'Equivalents' don't necessarily mean that the paints are an exact match and can be used interchangeably with no noticeable difference, just that one is a close enough match to the other that they can be used in place of (and not with) each other. However the VGC Extra Opaques are just relabeled VMC paints. So while there might be a difference between the Citadel color and its VGC Extra Opaque equivalent, there shouldn't be a difference between the VGC Extra Opaque and its VMC equivalent.