Brotherhood of the Rafale

[FAR148]

where the heck is the bloody 30mm cannon?!

Photographer unknown


Looking forward to seeing those profiles!
Steven L

[ChernayaAkula]

<...> where the heck is the bloody 30mm cannon?!    I can't find a cannon port for anything.  I feel like its staring me in the face but I still can't find it  <...>

A lot of the time, it is covered.

CLICKY #1!
CLICKY #2!

What I don't know, though, is whether this cover is in place when the gun isn't used or whether it's some kind of frangible cover (like
on some rocket launchers) that is jettisoned/shattered before cannon use.

[rickshaw]

So, what are the principle external differences between the land and naval variants of this beast?

I'd like to try a two-seater naval or perhaps a single-engined variant.  Any suggestions as to what engine to put in the back?

[ChernayaAkula]

So, what are the principle external differences between the land and naval variants of this beast? <...>

The M has a beefier tailhook and heavier front-landing gear with catapult launch bar. The main undercarriage only has a few tie-downs more than the land-based variant.

[pyro-manic]

I don't think France produce an engine large enough for a single one to power a Rafale. The M-88 produces about 17,000lb in reheat, so you'd want a pretty hefty engine to match the output of two. Maybe an F135/F136 or an F119 would do the job.

[Cliffy B]

Alright gents, I bring you my Arctic Rafales of VFC-111!





For my world, I have them license built by N-G for the USN and USAF Aggressor/Adversary squadrons.  Way easier then dealing with Dassault's stellar customer service    Operation Polar Star is a bi-annual NATO exercise held in Alaska starting in 1993.  All services come together for a intensive three week exercise centered around repelling an invading force from land, sea, and air.  Different countries take turn being the attackers and the defenders.  The Aggressor/Adversary squadrons always put on quite a show with VFC-111 often stealing it for the USN.

Enjoy!

-Mike

[FAR148]

Damn you Cliffy! I just may have to buy another Rafale now. Wicked awesome profiles 




Steven L 

[ChernayaAkula]

^ Yeah, what Steven said!

[Cliffy B]

So I got to thinking (bad idea I know  ), if VFC-111 is still flying Rafales during the USN Centennial of Aviation celebration in 2011, how would they re-paint some of their Rafales?  I bring you first such example to roll out of the paint shop; a tri-color Rafale commemorating an F6F-5 Hellcat that flew from the USS Hornet (CV-12) in January of 1945.



More to come later on 

Enjoy!

-Mike

[ChernayaAkula]

<...>
More to come later on 
<...>

I hope it'll be something from the Crusader/Phantom/Tomcat "Gull Gray over White" days with high-vis squadron markings.....

[FAR148]

Here's a little something for your Rafale builds. Intake covers! Just right click save as, print out full size, tape or glued them to a piece of styrene, cut, sand and Ta-dah! Once cut and fitted, you could dress them up with some handles or something. The covers are 1/48 scale and will fit the Revell kits.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/far148/48scaleintakecovers.jpg

Enjoy!
Steven L 

[FAR148]

Revell Germany rereleased the Dassault Rafale M with Bomb Racks alittle while ago.

http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/rvg04517.htm


Long live the Brotherhood!
Steven L 

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Is it OK to remind folks of these two ??













Think I'm feeling a tingle in my Rafale genes 

Ian

[Scooterman]

Think I'm feeling a tingle in my Rafale genes 

Ian[/color]

I was just thinking the same, Ian. Time to drag out my other M bird.  Might be marked from something down your way, my brother!

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

I was just thinking the same, Ian. Time to drag out my other M bird.  Might be marked from something down your way, my brother!

It would be rude not to, Brad, especially as one of my B's is coincidentally marked for a base on the North American continent. Maybe we should continue our exchange by PM..... You gonna freak, bro !! 

Ian