Early MiG's sliver or NMF?

Early U.S and Russian aircraft had a one time overall BMF then in time of usage the finish oxidizes with heat and weather.Some ground crews at one time polished the F-100 that I used on a few missions that I took before I went to the F-105's.This is the best advice your getting from someone who was In that time frame of life.

The silver that everyone see is a kind of a highly polish silver dope when the early Mig-21's had.The NMF/BMF early scheme were in a panel effect finish which everyone completes on model finishes.Example:F-100,early F-105's,andF-104's.

Theuns, I've always believed that they were unpainted aluminum.  It seems like I've seen a reference alluding to that somewhere over the years.  Perhaps an expert can confirm or refute that.

Gary

I have only seen a couple, at airshow and museum, and those at least were silver-painted.  Beyond that I do not know for sure, but the pictures seem to show none with a high polish if any were NMF.