Dassault Rafale M

Aris Grey
Interesting collection!

Dave Norman
Thanks Aris. I have a love of aircraft tankers. Unfortunately they tend to be quite big aircraft so I'm currently concentrating on building smaller buddy-buddy aircraft to save space!

Aris Grey
Nice idea Norman to express your like. It's kind an unusual activity to see too. Today i heard that us navy is preparing the x-47 as a tanker too!

Ekki
Watching.

Dave Norman
Uploaded 2 photos of the upper fuselage. There are 2 protrusions on the wing (circled in red). Does anyone know if they should be there or if they need removing?

VILLIERE Julien
no idea
[img1]

Aris Grey
99% You should remove it, it's an injection pin mark. airfighters.com/phot..Dassault-Rafale-M/9/

Dave Norman
Thanks guys. I've checked a few sources online and couldn't find any such protrusions. Strange location for such a prominent injection pin mark. I guess I'll be removing them.

Andrew Walker
Looking forward to seeing this on the tables mate

Dave Norman
Couple of new photos added of the intakes. The work done on the intakes may have all been in vain as I might hide it all with some intake blanks.

Aris Grey
Looking smooth and thin.

Dave Norman
Thanks Aris. As I said, the intake trunking isn't right and there is no engine front engine detail so I may hide it all any way.

VILLIERE Julien
for detail f-16.net/forum/viewt..t=6094&start=510

Dave Norman
Thanks for that Villiere. I've seen photos of the intakes and I know the engine isn't so visible as the shape of the intake hides most of the engine detail. That intake trunking isn't replicated in the kit and just leads to a blank space in the fuselage. I think it's best to hide it all with intake blanks.

Dave Norman
Uploaded some new photos today. Progress has been slow due to other commitments but it's still progressing.

Aris Grey
Nice detailing Dave. Are you using a water based putty for the seams?

Dave Norman
I tried several Aris. Started with Vallejo which didn't work so well. Mr Surfacer 500 was a bit better but in the end resorted to good old Squadron putty. Bit of tape protected the surrounding area when sanding.

Aris Grey
👍

Dave Norman
Some new photos added showing main undercarriage bay. Undercarriage legs can't be fitted to the bay prior to or after fitting the bay. They have to be inserted through the fuselage, glued to the bay and then the bay glued to the fuselage. Unusual but it looks like a really strong joint.

Dave Norman
Some new photos added showing fuselage glued together.

Aris Grey
First step of becoming an airplane. Nice fitting.

Dave Norman
Thanks Aris. Starting to come together now.

Dave Norman
Finally got some time to do some work on the Rafale and upload some more photos. Photos 38 to 46 show the scratchbuilt intake blanks using foil and tissue soaked with PVA. Photos 47 to 49 show the intakes fitted. Fair amount of filler and blending required in this area.

Dave Norman
Been a while but finally managed to get some paint on the Rafale. New photos 54 to 59 show it primed in white with pre-shading added then main coat added. First attempt at pre-shading. Very happy with the result.

Andrew Walker
Looking good Dave

Aris Grey
Very nice result on the painting.

Dave Norman
Cheers Andy and Aris

Dave Norman
Few new photos added today. Got everything glossed yesterday ready for the decals and stated applying them today. Starting to look the part now.

Dave Norman
Some more photos added. Almost finished. Decals added. Weathering done and starting to attach the last few parts.

Aris Grey
The wash and the air to air missile make it to stand out even more! Fantastic job Dave!

Dave Norman
Many thanks Aris

Harry Eder
Very nice work! 👍 where is the buddy pod from?

Dave Norman
Thanks Harry. The buddy pod was from an old Graphy Air kit. You can see a picture of it in the project inventory.

Harry Eder
Thank you!

Dave Norman
Photos of completed model added. Really enjoyed this project. A lovely kit to build and goes together really well. Might even consider a 1/48 scale version.

Andrew Walker
Dave.....the Hobbyboss 48th kit is an almost carbon copy of the 1/72 kit scaled up. Ive built the Revell 1/48 kit (M) and its by far one of Revells best kits . If i was picky id say the see through intakes are the only issue but you just make intake covers ......by the looks of this build you will have no worries with that.

Dave Norman
Thanks Andy. I'll bear that in mind.