Aircraft Base coats

Hi All,

First post in a long time. After having my work room filled with boxes for the better part of a year, I have finally cleaned out the room and have been able to start trying to learn how to build models again.

Before I begin, i wasn't sure if this should be a Aircraft related post or a technique related post. I did a search and didn't find anything...of course I may be calling this the wrong thing, but anyway...

I am currently building a Revell 1:32 F-15E kit that I have had for the better part of 6 years. My question is this. What type of base coat should I apply to this model before adding the final Dark Grey paint? Do y'all just apply a basic grey primer, or do you use a metalic base coat to simulate the raw metal that the plane is built from? Or is this one of those questions that have multiple answers and bascially comes down to your own personal preference?

I'm curious as to how y'all handle this on modern aircraft models.

Thanks for any help.

DH...out