Earth Fighters - Final
 

So, I re-read Bell's tutorials on metal - searched and played around with base textures and then tried and tried. I have come up with my final process for textures (well for now :D).

Here, submitted for your appraisal is that done and done again shot of the Curran and Archer class fighters:

http://3d.concept40.com/vault/intighFin.jpg

hey, great! you seem to have vanquished the plastic look!