Blue metal may refer to Air Force One but I think ‘blue metal’ might actually refer to a Navy plane.
There are many Air Force One planes. They are only called that when they are flying the POTUS. The plane (metal) could be any color.
When I hear metal used to refer to planes, it usually implies who ‘owns’ or operates the planes. (Yes, I know, many are leased and not owned.) For example, when USAir bought out Air West, the planes were referred to as either East Coast metal or West Coast metal.
I’m thinking Q was saying he flew home in a plane operated by the Navy. It would make sense if he was trying to get home safely. The big plane we usually think of as AF1 would be a target.
Interesting. Yes, could definitely see that switcheroo.
I can see your blue metal reasoning. I picked up it being AF1 from someone else’s comment. It seemed to go with the flow so I grabbed it. I am completely open to your summation.