Rafale C (WIP)

Alex
Nice kit. Just take care of the main gear, the mounting is a bit tricky. And please remove the antenna on top of the fin, it's a marine-only-antenna and should not be on the air force Rafales.

Laurent VILLANUEVA "HELLER-forever"
to follow....good job

Augusto
@Alex : Thanks for the information! I did not know that. About the kit, I`am very concerned about the engine intakes. they fitted poarly on the dry fitting tests =(

Augusto
@Laurent HELLER-forever Thanks!

Augusto
I'm still in doubt about the color to be used on the aircraft. Different references show different shades of grey, and it makes me divided between two Revell greys...

Laurent VILLANUEVA "HELLER-forever"
humbrol 127 to memory

Alex
Have a look at my project album, I think I used Revell light grey. The colour is a pain, as all Rafales look different, as they get dirty very quickly. For the intake, I used some sheet to make a "intake ramp" to hide the gear bay. I took a yoghurt cup, as they are already nicely bent, and are made of the same plastic as our kits. So you can use normal plastic glue. I'll just add some pics...

Augusto
@Alex Yeah, I`ll have to do something about this too. Already browsing your album for some references, thanks!

Augusto
@Alex : I saw that you modified the wingtips and the MAWS on your model. Is that necessary for the C models as well? Didn`t find good references for it.

Alex
The wingtip launchers on the kit are from the prototype, it was changed on the production planes. So I would guess yes, it also applies for the C model. Not a bit thing anyway, but many people would notice the difference.

Ekki
Following.

Jos Jansen
You should try Ammo MIg Jimenez 205 - FS 26231 - BS 638. I am working on a Rafale M, soon I will take pictures again because I am finally done with the decaling. I used the A.Mig 205 and first applied a pre-shading and later a post-shading with a slightly darker color than the 205.

Augusto
@Alex : Yeah, found a pretty good walkthrough here at salemates that show those wingtips. Well, guess I`ll have more work than I thought. Another thing that I saw was about those MAWS sensors on the wingtips. They are not symetrical, is that right? The left one is placed more at the back than the right one. Can you confirm it? And if it is so, why is that?! Thank you for the info, one more time!

@Jos Jansen : I found some Revell kits that references the Revell 76 as the right shade, and I happen to have one in my stash. I usualy use Revell enamel paints because they work good with brushpaint (yeah, I use brushes =/) and because they are easily available at my local hobbyshop. Here in Braszil theres not much alternatives available for a good price...

Alex
I guess the electronic behind is too big to place them side by side, so they are mounted staggered.
See the two images: 1) [img1] and 2) [img2]
It shows clearly that the one on the left side is placed further aft.

Cuajete
Watching.

Alex
Revell 76 is what I used too, but acrylics. Colour looks fine for me.

Augusto
Finished cockpit section and glued it in the body of the jet and made some minor mods. Its almost time to figure out how I`m going to pose it, since the goal is to make it flying.

Laurent VILLANUEVA "HELLER-forever"
great

Jos Jansen
Nice progress Augusto....👍

Augusto
Thank you, guys!

Augusto
Its done! The kit is well engineered, but it is probably based on early versions of the Rafale, so it have some inaccuracys that had to be worked on. The missile decals were all for the training/display version, that`s why I didn`t use any. I`ve made some new experiments with this kit, that`s why it took forever to finish, but it`s finally "complete". And by "complete" I mean that it`s still missing it`s base hahaha.

Oleg Smilyk
Nice!

Laurent VILLANUEVA "HELLER-forever"
FABulous !!!

Jos Jansen
Well done Augusto...👍

Augusto
Thank you everybody for the kind words!

@Jos Jansen By the way, I ended up using the Mig-205 color that you suggested. I attended a local hobby event that had a Mig Jimenez sale point. I told the salesman that I was building a Rafale, and he immediately handed me a bottle of the 205 grey. Loved the paint, even using brushes. Thank you!

Cuajete
Very nice. Congrats!

Jos Jansen
How good to hear that you were able to get the Mig paint. Your Rafale has received an excellent authentic look, job well done ...! 👍👍

Augusto
Thank you!! =D

David Deavall
Very nice indeed

Ekki
Very good job! Well done!

Dmitry Agafonov
Very handsome French! But it's curious for me what is the square hole/exhaust? Never saw such devices.

Augusto
@Dimitry Agafonov You mean the underbelly square hole? It is a very important one in the Rafale. Its where the AAR (Amazing Acrylic Rod) is plugged, wich makes the connection between the jet and the VCDB (Very Cool Display Base) device. It is a French exclusive. =D

I'll post some images of the finished display later, hehe.

Nick Clarke
love the surgery to the pilot, now he really is french.....legless ( un petit cognac ou deux peut-être?) lol

Dmitry Agafonov
@Augusto. OK, I see it now. And added some technical terms to my vocabulary. 🙂