Subject: Re: Hobby Boss Rafale B 1_48
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Harsanto, Andy \(Indonesia\)" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:48:33 -0800

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

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.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: Harsanto, Andy (Indonesia) 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 5:15 PM
  Subject: Hobby Boss Rafale B 1_48

   

  "1/48 Hobby Boss Rafale B" 

  by "Andy Harsanto"
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here 

  This is my first post for ARC, although I have made some modern jet scale model for quite sometimes. I pick the Rafale B 1/48 from Hobby Boss. I will discuss the Rafale B aircraft as many reference already have it. For the kit itself, its one excellent kit to my standard and there are few model maker create the training version of the Rafale. Hobby Boss being closed to the famous Trumpeter produce a very good kit (closing in to Hasegawa/Tamiya quality). I purchase this online via my favorite online store in Hongkong. When the package arrive, I immediately torn apart the boxes and awe the kit's boxes, and of course the content of it. Although some people might dislike the exaggerated recessed line. However to me it's just fine as I don't need to re-scribe the panel lines. 

  The box contain 7 main spure including body, wings etc, 3 pairs of Mica missiles, one pair of Magic, one pair of Apache, and two pair of external fuels (one 1250 lt and the other 2000 lt). As I'm using the Airforce magazine as reference there is a Rafale B flying equipped with full armament of one pair of cruise missile Apache, one pair of Magic in wing tip and one pair of Mica on the underside pylon. In the picture the aircraft carries 3 external fuels of 2000 liter quite a lot. Problem is it only has two pieces. So I get on to my Revell Rafale kit and take out the other 2000 liter fuel tanks. Luckily I've planned for the Revel Rafale to be posed without fuel tanks in standing position.

  As usual I've constructed the kit from inside which is cockpit. As it will be posed as flying Rafale B. Then I need two acting pilot, again the Hasegawa excellent pilot are in. Cut the oxygen hose and move it to the left side of the pilot oxygent mask. Paint the pilot figures with usual olive drab etc. Put several seat belts using reference book. Add a bit of reflective plastic (holographic effect on the rear seat HUD, front/rear MFD. I don't do too much detailing here as it will be a closed canopy anyway.

  Kit fits perfectly except in the air intake area where it needs a bit of a stretch to make it blend with the body. One issues that bothers me is that the kit don't have an intake trunk. It's basically a hollow inside. Although when it's build it won't be too apparent (too dark without lights toward it). But I took the challenge to create a proper air intake trunk. Thus come the resin (using the F-18E compressor blade component as the master mould, I've created a pair of compressor blade from resin. I use a wide jelly drink straw as an almost perfect size. Cut it to make the painting easy and glue it while the aircraft body is a separate halves.

  Done with the construction, then come up with the painting, using model master light ghost gray and dark gray combination to create a pattern one. Initially the instruction is to use light ghost and dark ghost gray, but learning that the combination will result in a weaker gradation, I need something a bit more striking. Just to be looking more aggressive. It might not be accurate but I like the results. Coating is straight forward. Decals is amazingly good with its thin decal which almost settling in to the recessed panel, rivets etc, without much difficulties. Need to add self made decal for the canopy (the white stripe in each of the canopy sides). Other than that is out of the box. 

  As I make it for a fly by aircraft I did put some flaps/aileron/horizontal stabilizer open, to create more dynamic feel and put it in a steel bent pole and wooden base. If you want to see more picture and review in Bahasa Indonesia please visit my personal website www.jetplastik.com

  Click on images below to see larger images

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 05.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 05.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 06.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 06.jpg 

  Done with the construction, then come up with the painting, using model master light ghost gray and dark gray combination to create a pattern one. Initially the instruction is to use light ghost and dark ghost gray, but learning that the combination will result in a weaker gradation, I need something a bit more striking. Just to be looking more aggressive. It might not be accurate but I like the results. Coating is straight forward. Decals is amazingly good with its thin decal which almost settling in to the recessed panel, rivets etc, without much difficulties. Need to add self made decal for the canopy (the white stripe in each of the canopy sides). Other than that is out of the box. 

  As I make it for a fly by aircraft I did put some flaps/aileron/horizontal stabilizer open, to create more dynamic feel and put it in a steel bent pole and wooden base. If you want to see more picture and review in Bahasa Indonesia please visit my personal website www.jetplastik.com

          

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here 

  Hobby Boss 1/48 Rafale B kit is one excellent kit at least to my standard. Having just recently completed the F-18D Hornets from Hasegawa I could tell that the hobby boss kit is not new kit on the block it has all the detail, features, good things about new generation kit. An excellent value for money especially if you're trying to collect some of the rare species of the jets or kits. A recommended for all the jets lover.

  Feel free to visit my personal website in Bahasa Indonesia www.jetplastik.com

  Click on images below to see larger images

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 07.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 07.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 08.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 08.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 09.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 09.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 10.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 10.jpg 

   

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 11.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 11.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 12.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 12.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 13.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 13.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 14.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 14.jpg 

  Photos and text © by Andy Harsanto "roadrunner"

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