Do you need to finish the entire mission to unlock ace skins?

[TheConstantVariable]

I just downed Lynx in Mission 18 and I currently paused the game. Do I have to complete the rest of the mission or can I exit and the skin will be unlocked?

[TheConstantVariable]

*I'll probably continue the mission since I don't want to just sit here waiting for someone, but I would appreciate a verification for the next time I go "ace hunting"

[Vimini]

yes you need to finish the mission

[Rastrelly]

Not just finish the mission, you must finish the mission and register Ace kill in saved checkpoint. I.e., you kill the Ace, die before the next checkpoint, reset from checkpoint - Ace is not considered killed.

More so, some aces won't SPAWN if you checkpoint before their arrival, like in Mission 8.

[TheConstantVariable]

Good to know, thanks.

[deathspeed]

Don't pull a Deathspeed and fly out-of-bounds during the end-mission chatter; you will fail and lose the ace even after completing all objectives :)