Subject: Re: HOBBYBOSS 1/72 Dassault Rafale M
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Jean-Charles GODDET" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 12:01:01 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jean-Charles GODDET 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 3:06 AM
  Subject: HOBBYBOSS 1/72 Dassault Rafale M

  Gallery Article Template

  "HOBBYBOSS 1/72 Dassault Rafale M" 

  by "Jean-Charles GODDET"
  --------------------

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      This model is a HobbyBoss 1/72 Dassault Rafale M from French Navy flottille 12F based at Landivisiau and at sea on the only french nuclear carrier Charles de Gaulle. This unit was the first Navy unit to adopt Rafale fighter in 2001 and to be operational in 2004, it had been joined by flottille 11F in 2012 and will be joined if budget will not cut by flottille 17F in 2015. This squadron is very popular with is sailor duck badge. This plane coded 2 is the second Rafale M produced (navalized version with specific reinforced landing gear compatible with steam catapult and stop cross). The tail decoration was to commemorate this machine's 1000th flight hour in automn 2005, the accurate decals come from Model Alliance World Air Power update n°2. The kit is from the box 87247 HOBBYBOSS, regarding colors, the camouflage is grey FS36320 Gunze acrylic H307 70% with FS3675 H308 30%. I added a light weathering on paint scheme to show time wear (sun,salt and sea are not good for paint scheme) and the beautiful engraved panels of the kit (stealth jaw teeth shape on wings, flaps, panels and gear doors). 

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      This plane at this period was a F1 standard (only air to air armament was possible to use) with no front optronic sensors. Now Rafale are updated to F3 sandard able to use optronic TV/IR sensors, guided laser or GPS air ground weapons , anti ship missiles, cruise missiles, nuclear missile, reco pod, laser designation pod, refuel pod for other plane. Next step for Rafale will be an AESA radar with long range air to air missile Meteor. To enhance the model I keep the possibility to open the canopy and I decided to add some armaments two MICA IR guided air-air missiles on end wings, two radar MICA guided on back fuselage pylons and one SCALP-EG cruise missile on center pylon. I also added two 2000 liters fuel tanks. This specific configuration was used for deep strike against hardened shelters of Libyan airbase during operation Harmattan (Odyssey dawn for USA) in March 2012 from Charles de Gaulle carrier. The flottille 12F was also engaged in 2007 and in 2010 in operation Agapanthe and Pamir for CAS mission from Charles de Gaulle in Indian ocean over Afghanistan. Rafale M did also exercises with USNavy and was able to land and catapult from US super carrier in 2007 USS Entreprise, in 2008 USS Harry Truman and USS Theodore Roosvelt. 

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      I hope you will like my model and patches, this kit is very easy to mount and detailed,  I found enought pictures of the real plane on the web to help me. I only corrected a little the shade of blue shirt from my friend sailor duck. I'm very proud of this plane it represent the head of the spear of France technology and defence and received fire baptism in Agapanthe operation french naval part of Enduring freedom operation in Afghanistan. At the end of 2013 French navy will have 25 Rafale M and at the horizon 2017 42 Rafale M. I hope Dassault could sell this very polyvalent fighter/bomber on the export market (India in good way, perharps Brazil, Malaysia, Qatar, Koweit or UAE) to see other colors and roundels and to add new ideas for modellers. 

  As Mr Dassault said a lovely plane must be good.

  Take care of vilain little duck!! Nicknamed "Les LASCARS"

  Beautiful vids from 12F http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN_d0St2EHQ

  Jean-Charles

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  Photos and text © by "Jean-Charles GODDET"