This is really coming together nicely!
I like the render test, the paint shader could use some work!
As for what type of paint they used back then. I can imagen it was a more solid, acrylic, style paint, as opposed to a more modern metallic paint! BUT I'm not sure.
Anyway, Nice work! Looking forward to updates!
www.stevenegan-cgi.com
"Your weapons are no match for ours! People of Mars, surrender!"
"Um, this isn't Mars. This is Earth."
"Earth? Earth-with-nuclear-weapons Earth?"
"Yes."
[long pause] "Friend!!"