Cladding of flying saucer - surely it's missing? (6)

I believe the answer is:

facing

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'cladding' is the definition.
('facing' can be a synonym of 'cladding')

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for facing that I've seen before include "on the opposite side" , "Outer layer covering the surface of a wall" , "Revetment" , "Confronting and dealing with" , "Turning towards, perhaps the enemy" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).

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