Aluminium Metalcote for a rookie (Primer first? Gloss after?)

When I did my P-47 Thunderbolt kit, I used Tamiya Bare Metal Silver in a rattlecan. I didn't use black gloss coat as primer, but straight up Rustoleum grey primer. That gave me the look I was looking for - a battle worn WW2 fighter. I'm quite happy with the outcome.

Keep in mind, not all bare metal aircrafts are shiny shiny per say. I think grey primer would be fine. However, I'm not familiar with Humbrol metallics though.

Do a test on a scrap kit - one with gloss black as primer, the other with grey primer. See which one gives you the best look you're looking for.

I believe many Migs were painted aluminum/silver. Be sure you really want a natural metal finish on yours.  I find Testors aluminum good for aluminum paint.

For a good natural aluminum finish nothing beats Alclad.

Not sure about using gloss black acrylic to prime, so I think I'm voting 'nay' on that.

Acrylic doesn't adhere all that well to plastic, and that's why most of us use a real primer. I just used stylenrez black primer under Alclad, and it worked fine. (Not a high polish Alclad color though).

When I switched to acrylic years back, I didn't understand the adherence thing at all, and was used to the enamels of old just sticking to everything no problem. Was a learning experience.

Can't comment on your metal-colored paints as I've never used any of them.

Welcome, by the way.

All great advice gentlemen thank you!!!
From what I've read the Soviet Migs in Korea were mostly natural metal with a clear varnish.  So I'm gonna go with that... and hell, I'm just going to use this to experiment with a more metalic finish.

So once I paint it with an acrylic metalic paint.  Can I use an enamel gloss varnish over top?  Or is that a no-no?

Thanks!

-Gregg