Rafale M in 1/72 Scale

Once this was completed, the basic structure for the aircraft was done.

I then had to decide what weapons load to give the aircraft.

The kit comes with two Mica IR short range (SR) air to air missiles, two Mica radar guided medium range (MR) air to air missiles, two SCALP/Apache Air launched cruise missiles (ALCM), two 2,000 liter fuel tanks, and two 1,250 liter fuel tanks.

The aircraft can carry, as noted above, many other weapons. I decided to load this aircraft with a strong self defense air to air load, and a strong air to ground load out, for a long range mission. I have a Testers NATO 1/72 scale weapons pack, and so I added a couple og GBU-24 Paveway III MK-84, 2,000 lbs bombs from that kit.

This makes my load out of the aircraft the following:

2 x MICA Infra Red Guided Short Range Air to Air Missile<br>
2 x MICA Radar Guided Medium Range Air to Air Missiles<br>
2 x MK-84 2,000 lb PAcewayy III Laser Guided bombs<br>
2 x 2,000 liter fuel tanks<br>
1 x SCALP Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM)

I assembled the pieces (particularly for the SCALP ACLM this involved an assembly of eight pieces), painted them, and then added decals. I then glued them onto the aircraft:


This is looking very good.

I will finish the aircraft in the next session. Adding the cockpit canopy (which I am going to show open), a few more detail parts (like the in-air refueling probe), and then do the touch up painting and the final dull coats.

Like these big bombs

2 x Magic SR IR Air to Air Missile

Click to expand...

Outdated ! he is armed with it at the beginning in variant F1 the first only Navy use it but finished about 10 years ago replaced by MICA IR and this variant ( the 10 first Rafale M, M1/10 ) stored and now i have posted several times modernized in F3, the manufacturer abused you

Your MICA are EM, IR round nose for the seeker as on the boxe very curious you don't have it

FORBIN said:

Like these big bombs


Outdated ! he is armed with it at the beginning in variant F1 the first only Navy use it but finished about 10 years ago replaced by MICA IR and this variant ( the 10 first Rafale M, M1/10 ) stored and now i have posted several times modernized in F3, the manufacturer abused you

Your MICA are EM, IR round nose for the seeker as on the boxe very curious you don't have it

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Click to expand...

I will find or revise to be the MICA IR. Thanks.

The Build Decals, Touch-up, canopy, complete - January 1, 2015

I began this session by adding the decals for this aircraft. I decided to use the decals for aircraft number 5. There are not too many of them, but they really do make a difference in the presentation. A total of 24 decals added.


I then added the canopy and an access ladder to the aircraft. I am showing the aircraft with the canopy open, preparing for the pilot to enter the aircraft. The canopy hinges to the left, with the ladder on the right. I also added the distinctive refueling probe that the aircraft has.

At this point it was time to do some touch up paint and then add the dull coat finish paint. Once that was completed, it was time to simply take the completed pictures of the aircraft.

...and some close-ups:


And there you have it. France's most advanced fighter aircraft, the naval version, the Rafale M stirke fighter.

I thought I would, as an aside, do a little comparison between the 1/72 scale US Navy Strike aircraft (F/A-18F and F-35C) and the Rafale M. Here they are side by side:


The F/A-18F is a larger aircraft, with two pilots, and it can carry more under each wing, along with the hard point under its fuselage. But the Rafale M is pretty amazing for what it can carry given its size. It is also a newer aircraft and the French have developed some unique innovations for it, and I believe it has excellent sensor fusion capabilities, at least on par with, if not better than the F/A-18E?F. Now, the newer Advanced Super Hornet that is being proposed will probably equal or eclipse whatever advantages the Rafale M may have in that area.

All in all, I would say that the Rafale M is probably right up there and on par with the F/AE/F-18 Super Hornet in terms of over all capability.

The F-35C, which is just in the process of reaching towards initial operational capability and has only recently completed its second carrier qualifications, is a true 5th generation stealth aircraft. It is more stealthy than the two, has the best sensor fusion, and when it fully utilizes its internal bays and hard points outside of the internal bays, can carry as much as the other two. it also has longer range.

But it is an interesting comparison. The French Rafale M is a very good, modern, highly capable carrier strike aircraft. And as stated above, it is the only other nation carrier strike aircraft that has qualified to conduct combat operations off of a US Navy nuclear carrier.

Then Mr Rafale M5

Nice comparison !

Super Hornet is a excellent fighter bomber with a AESA radars can carry much AAM but for her size have a range disappointing the less good for a heavy fighter, CR 900 km.
But very cheap and USN get in big number .

Rafale is very compact, payload of 9.5 t max for a max weight of 24.5 t even Typhoon do less 7.5/24, then a medium fighter for size which got combat capacity of a heavy fighter, 30+ t as the two US here, Sukhoi etc... and same remark for range.

Jeff, I know that you like models and have been building a lot of models but they are all static ones. Why not trying some models with engines?