I am going to foil a P-47 and am wondering what “color” BMF I should use- Chrome or matte Aluminum. I don’t have an airbursh or I would use Aclad II .
Most of the aircraft grade aluminum that I have worked with, and the aircraft I have been around, have an oxidized, or dirty appearance. It would have to be painted or polished to be shiny.
When aluminum is exposed to oxygen, a chemical reaction creates an aluminum oxide layer on the surface…eventually dulling even the most highly polished panels.
Use varying shades of aluminum - the BMF packet explains how to create “stepped” shades of foil to simulate different panels.
Very shiny planes with a mirror finish reflected light like a beacon - and I think that was sorta the opposite effect a fighter pilot wanted to have on the opposition.