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OneSidedDice t1_j5wo43i wrote

Reply to comment by throwawayforj0b in TIL American WW2 airplanes were sent to war unpainted starting in 1943. The polished surface made the planes faster and lighter, giving more range to all planes and more cargo hold for the bombers by PatmygroinB

That was the idea. From what I understand, the airline discovered that they spent about the same amount of money keeping the planes polished and shiny as they would have spent on painting them and on the additional fuel that would have required.

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NetDork t1_j5wu29o wrote

They had to change now that more and more planes have large composite components.

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