Not a Rafale ! - (97%) F I N I S H E D !!

[lancer]

The master at work again. That is one serious paint job!

[NARSES2]

Chris
On the cutting board. If you try to cut on the model, I guarantee you will find that you will have scored through to the paint, when you come to lift the tape. Trust me on this one 

Ian

That's what I thought. Ta 

[chrisonord]

This is turning out to be one very cool looking bird Ian, the camo is exceptional. I am certainly looking forward to seeing this when its done.
Cheers,
Chris.

[nev]

Zoinks!

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Zoinks!

Haven't I warned you about those Scooby Doo quotes ?? 

Ian

[nev]

Yep

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Just the instrumentation pod and the dummy 'winder to add and the nav lights to paint and that is it – all of these will be done for the Cosford show in 10 days time. Cannot get these things done before Monday because it's Easter weekend and the Toddler-Gatherer's are both home from nursery of course. On Monday – yes the bank holiday – I have to drive 280 miles south to the Academy of Better Coastguarding to resit just two exams.... Arghhhh  

Anyhoos here's the backstory and the pics:

Backstory:
Similar to the USAF in 2009, the US Navy identified the need to replace the F-5E and compliment the F-20's and F/A-18's with a 5th Generation 'light' fighter type in the Aggressor/Adversary squadrons.

Using the Air Force's experience with the 'Rafale Lite' they approached Bae/Saab in early 2013 to explore the possibility of leasing, stripped-down first generation Gripens. The first F-37A 'Griffin' was delivered in autumn 2014.

Lockheed Martin/Bae/Saab F-37A Griffin
VFA-127 'Cylons'
NAS Fallon
2015





















And here it is sitting in the cabinet with it's 'aggressive' cousins !!





Thanks for taking the time to look and all the positive and encouraging remarks you've been kind enough to make – except you Nev, no more "Scooby-Doo'ism's, last warning !  As ever I'll take any comments, criticism or questions.

Best

Ian

[Ed S]

Excellent, Ian.  As usual.  This scheme looks good.  At least the agressor squadrons are painting a/c in something besides "boring gray".



Ed

[John Howling Mouse]

And, just like that, we have the finest-looking Gripen model I have ever seen.

Like a dream...

      

[lancer]

Zoinks!!!

[sotoolslinger]

Yeah,I am going to need to steal pretty much all those paint jobs

[Scooterman]

Like WOW man, that's groovy!   

[NARSES2]

Turned out really nice Ian 

[lancer]

Absolutely fantastic Ian. A simple and elegant scheme. My hat is off to you sir!

[Spey_Phantom]

i think this smiley fitts the bill
nice work