This paper main goal is aimed at a paradigm shift in the enhancement of heat transfer rate between finned surfaces and surrounding fluid by presenting a novel approach in composite fins. This approach consists in using high thermally conductive coatings on top of the finned substrate in order to increase the local temperature along the fin washed surface. In the present paper a high thermal conductivity coating has been applied to an aeroengine vane of different shape and dimensions subject to icing conditions at high Reynolds numbers and where the main aim was to keep the vane warm as to avoid icing in aerospace applications. Numerical simulations have been carried out to ascertain the range of thickness of the coatings to be used to maximise the wanted effect. Both short Engine Section Stator (ESS) and longer fan Outlet Guide Vane (OGV) have been modelled, having different final goals. In the case of longer OGV, an additional novel design modification has been suggested to enhance further the heat transfer along the vane length by the use of the internal webs. The experimental validation also carried out at much higher Reynolds numbers than that reported in Buffone et al. (2005), demonstrate that the novel concept of heat transfer enhancement in composite fins is a simple and yet powerful strategy in a wide range of Reynolds numbers. A fin analysis has been performed of both the present ESS vane the fins tested in Buffone et al. (2005) at much lower Reynolds numbers and shows that the improvement obtained with the coated fins tested in Buffone et al. (2005) is much larger than the coated ESS vanes investigated in the present study. This said, the present study demonstrates that the use of high conductive coatings in composite fins can keep the ESS vanes ice free, something that was not possible with uncoated vanes. It is important to note that the actual optimal thickness of the thermally conductive coatings is a function of Biot number, fin shape, dimensions and thermal conductivities of fin substrate and coating; depending on the application, a proper design of the fin substrate and coating should be carried out. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.