The 1:48 Tamiya Firefly kit recommends their TS-2 (Dark Green) paint for
the base color. Is this anywhere near the right shade for British
Khaki Drab? It doesn't seem right, and I have to wonder if it's
actually closer to the early-war Bronze Green?

Anyway, if not, can anyone recommend a brand and color of paint that
will fit the bill? I'm a part-time modeller at best, and have never
had the patience to learn how to use an airbrush, so a spray basecoat
is mandatory.

Thanks!

-Tommy

"Khaki Drab" is one of those urban myths that have taken hold but recent research has shown it to be a fallacy.

Have a look here:
http://www.mafva.org.uk/PDF/BritishCamouflage1.pdf

SCC15 was the shade for repaints of Firefly Shermans. However it was a very close match (when fresh) to US Olive Drab. It tended to fade a little more greener than US OD.

I'd get some Tamiya Olive Drab... and lighten with dark yellow (rather than white which makes the OD rather chalky).

My opinions. ...

[quoteI'd get some Tamiya Olive Drab... and lighten with dark yellow [/quote]
If you want to stick to the rattle cans, then the Tamiya OD will be about as close as you can get. It apparently is too dark (even darker than the paint in teh jars), but perhaps you can lighten it up a bit with some lighter glazes applied by brush?

Airbrushes really aren't too hard to learn to use and if yuo stick to a single action, inexpensive brush, you will find your skills come along very quickly. Then you will have full control of what colours you paint.

HTH

Paul