Late war Paint schemes

[Vinkman]

Does anyone know why many late war American Planes (P-51, P-38, B-29) went with the polished aluminum instead of a fully painted scheme?

I have heard many a tale of pilots who caught sight of an enemy by the 'glint' off a cockpit canopy, or other reflective surface. The near fully reflective surface seems like a disadvantage, and only American planes seem to have used it.

What was the thinking there?

[themaj]

aerodynamics, paint weight, polished rivets?

[Westy]

 Weight, cost ( a lot of planes usiing up a LOT of paint = big $$'s) and bare metal is
easier to wax for more speed. Also in 44 and 45 the USAAf *wanted* to draw the
Luftwaffe into aircombat. They weren't trying to hide at all.

[dBeav]

When you own the sky you no longer need to hide.

[Oldman731]

Weight, cost ( a lot of planes usiing up a LOT of paint = big $$'s) and bare metal is
easier to wax for more speed. Also in 44 and 45 the USAAf *wanted* to draw the
Luftwaffe into aircombat. They weren't trying to hide at all.

Yup.

- oldman

[uptown]

When you own the sky you no longer need to hide.

They wanted to be seen. 

[CAP1]

Does anyone know why many late war American Planes (P-51, P-38, B-29) went with the polished aluminum instead of a fully painted scheme?

I have heard many a tale of pilots who caught sight of an enemy by the 'glint' off a cockpit canopy, or other reflective surface. The near fully reflective surface seems like a disadvantage, and only American planes seem to have used it.

What was the thinking there?

because when you're the biggest kid on the block, with the biggest stick, and allowed to use that stick, you don't need to hide from anyone.

[Greebo]

A major reason for the layout and colours of camo schemes is to avoid planes getting attacked on their airfields. This was no longer a major concern on British airbases in 1944. However when USAAF aircraft were transferred to French airbases after D Day, a lot of them had their top surfaces repainted in olive drab or even RAF green because of the fear of the Luftwaffe attacking them on the ground.

[Scotty55OEFVet]

Does anyone know why many late war American Planes (P-51, P-38, B-29) went with the polished aluminum instead of a fully painted scheme?

I have heard many a tale of pilots who caught sight of an enemy by the 'glint' off a cockpit canopy, or other reflective surface. The near fully reflective surface seems like a disadvantage, and only American planes seem to have used it.

What was the thinking there?

 Read an article once that the Navy and Airforces went with the schemes you see LW due to (Not Only) flammability.  After Torch and the Vichy French Resistance at Oran..well, can you say BBQ?