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Hi guys, I have a few weeks off work, and I'm thinking of coming back into this hobby to pass the time. I built a Revell Rafale M a few years back, and it was great. I wanted to build 1 or 2 Rafales, and one of them I wanted to be the B. Is Revell the best for this? It comes with TERs and GBUs to go on them, so what does the Hobby Boss version come with? I was thinking about building a C to go with it, so I'll have to go with the Hobby Boss version of the C on that part.

So I guess the real question is, what are the pros and cons of the Revell and Hobby Boss Rafale Bs?

Cheers guys, It's good to be back!

Ollie

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If I can piggyback on you, I have similar questions:

What kits are available for the single seat Rafale? I've got the original released revell/monogram M, and would like to update. I also just got the tigermeet B (outstanding looking kit). I'm thinking of ordering another B and using the single seat parts from the M.

Is there another C/M (single seat) currently available (other than overpriced CopyBoss)?

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Having compared the two kits, the "Copyboss" Rafale is nearly a direct copy of the Revell kit (like their F-18's are copied from the Hasegawa kits). There are a few differences, but both have the same pre-production features, (like missile rail shape) and truncated inlet ducts. There's a thread out there somewhere (Britmodeller maybe?) that talks about how to improve the kit. DMold makes an intake set and Wolfpack has an update set. Honestly, the kits are so similar, I'd go with whichever you can get cheaper (I recently picked up a Revell B for $20).

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I think Ace Corporation (who cut the moulds for RoG) from Korea offers the single-seaters with the updated parts seen in in the recent Revell re-release. I'm not 100% sure, though.

Edited by ChernayaAkula
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Good evening,

If you want to model a C there are really three options as far as I know.

For the F2 model C you can use the HB one (which is really the prototype) with the following upgrade set:

http://www.smds.ws/proddetail.php?prod=SMDS48002

You can use the Revell M with the same set as above and also the SAC landing gear:

http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/mo...arch&KIT=73

Or you can cheat and use the Revell M spine and single cockpit on the Revell B model.

This last option is ultimately the "cheapest" I think.

That will still leave you to source ordnance though.

If you want to portray a pure fighter you're safe with the Revell M model, it comes with a full load of MICAs.

The Revell B has some very nice launchers with GBU12s as well as AA missiles.

If you want to get exotic, L'Arsenal of France has some nice goodies like a DAMOCLES targeting or a PRESTO reconnaissance pod at very reasonable prices.

http://www.larsenal.com/GB/index.php

Maybe someone has some left over SCALP missiles from the Revell Eurofighter Typhoon kit, saves you from having to buy those over-priced resin items.

When it comes to decals there's another problem if you want to model a newer jet.

Up to 2008 the French airforce used aircraft codes according to the "wing" and "squadrons".

This meant that the individual aircraft code would start with the "wing" followed by a "squadron" letter followed by an individual aircraft letter (like 7-AA, 7-AB etc for the first squadron and 7-BA, 7-BB for the second).

Now it's all done according to where they are based so all Saint-Dizier-Robinson based Rafales use the 113-HA to 113-HZ for Escadron de chasse 1/7 "Provence" and 113-IA to 113-IZ for Escadron de chasse 1/91 "Gascogne".

Some nice B/C decals are available from Skyraider again:

http://www.smds.ws/proddetail.php?prod=SMDS48001D

They include a choice of mission markings as well !

Problem is though that the grey they used for the tail and aircraft codes is far too dark. This might be solved with a slight overspray but it is noticeable.

An alternative might be the new sets by Syhart.

They released 2 sets with all the markings you will ever need for just about every French jet that flew in the last 10 years:

http://www.syhartdecal.fr/ENG_index.htm

For the M there is really only one alternative to the kit decals.

The decals provided by Revell are pure speculation, I don't think any Rafale M ever flew in those markings.

This is what they should look like:

http://www.smds.ws/proddetail.php?prod=SMDS48002D

Sorry for the long winded contribution, I hope it was of some use to someone.

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I think Ace Corporation (who cut the moulds for RoG) from Korea offers the single-seaters with the updated parts seen in in the recent Revell re-release. I'm not 100% sure, though.

I've seen those on ebay, and wondered if they were based on the new molds or not. They seem to be going for about $20-30 which isn't bad at all, and even free shipping!

Good evening,

If you want to model a C there are really three options as far as I know.

For the F2 model C you can use the HB one (which is really the prototype) with the following upgrade set:

http://www.smds.ws/proddetail.php?prod=SMDS48002

You can use the Revell M with the same set as above and also the SAC landing gear:

http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/mo...arch&KIT=73

Or you can cheat and use the Revell M spine and single cockpit on the Revell B model.

This last option is ultimately the "cheapest" I think.

That will still leave you to source ordnance though.

If you want to portray a pure fighter you're safe with the Revell M model, it comes with a full load of MICAs.

The Revell B has some very nice launchers with GBU12s as well as AA missiles.

If you want to get exotic, L'Arsenal of France has some nice goodies like a DAMOCLES targeting or a PRESTO reconnaissance pod at very reasonable prices.

http://www.larsenal.com/GB/index.php

Maybe someone has some left over SCALP missiles from the Revell Eurofighter Typhoon kit, saves you from having to buy those over-priced resin items.

When it comes to decals there's another problem if you want to model a newer jet.

Up to 2008 the French airforce used aircraft codes according to the "wing" and "squadrons".

This meant that the individual aircraft code would start with the "wing" followed by a "squadron" letter followed by an individual aircraft letter (like 7-AA, 7-AB etc for the first squadron and 7-BA, 7-BB for the second).

Now it's all done according to where they are based so all Saint-Dizier-Robinson based Rafales use the 113-HA to 113-HZ for Escadron de chasse 1/7 "Provence" and 113-IA to 113-IZ for Escadron de chasse 1/91 "Gascogne".

Some nice B/C decals are available from Skyraider again:

http://www.smds.ws/proddetail.php?prod=SMDS48001D

They include a choice of mission markings as well !

Problem is though that the grey they used for the tail and aircraft codes is far too dark. This might be solved with a slight overspray but it is noticeable.

An alternative might be the new sets by Syhart.

They released 2 sets with all the markings you will ever need for just about every French jet that flew in the last 10 years:

http://www.syhartdecal.fr/ENG_index.htm

For the M there is really only one alternative to the kit decals.

The decals provided by Revell are pure speculation, I don't think any Rafale M ever flew in those markings.

This is what they should look like:

http://www.smds.ws/proddetail.php?prod=SMDS48002D

Sorry for the long winded contribution, I hope it was of some use to someone.

Not long winded at all; that's exactly the info we need that are unlearned in the ways of Rafale!

thanks

Mike

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FYI--The Revell B Tigermeet boxing comes with 2 SCALPS, 2 MICA RF, 2 Magic and 6 very nice (better than Hasegawa aftermarket) GBU-12s. I'm (slowly) building one now, and have a few decent close up shots of the molding to give you an idea of what the Revell B looks like up close.

Or you can cheat and use the Revell M spine and single cockpit on the Revell B model.

How does the single seat cockpit fit the B model? The canopy sills are too long...

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FYI--The Revell B Tigermeet boxing comes with 2 SCALPS, 2 MICA RF, 2 Magic and 6 very nice (better than Hasegawa aftermarket) GBU-12s. I'm (slowly) building one now, and have a few decent close up shots of the molding to give you an idea of what the Revell B looks like up close.

How does the single seat cockpit fit the B model? The canopy sills are too long...

They share many common parts. the fuselages are the same, but use different plugs depending whether it's the B or C.

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So the C/M spine covers up the extra B cockpit/canopy area? That's pretty amazing.

Yep. This is a pretty terrible picture, but I just took it at my desk of the M.

100_4855.jpg

The far right you can see the top fuselage is the same as the B. The Far right sprue are the M specific parts. The top far right is the rear of the single seat canopy, the middle is the equipment bay(?) behind the cockpit, and the bottom is the fuselage spine insert.

Mike

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Well, Ive gone for a Revell Rafale B, and an Ace Corp. Rafale M, because I couldnt find any Cheap Revell M's about! I dont plan on displaying them wheels down, are there any other differences between C and M series Jets ( Besides gear, and decals)?

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Okay, well if I have the Rafale Bs to compare with, hopefully I can scratchbuild a slim hook for it. Anything else I should know?

Hi Ollie,

The Slim hook is in your Rafale B kit, For the C you only need the fuselage spine insert , canopy, From the M and the use the rest of the B kit has all the Parts you Need

This is a Model Rafale C (Revell) from Dom from Aquitaine France

rafale_0000.JPG

Net photo (Dom)

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I cant take parts from the B kit though, Im building it too :S

I meant I'd scratchbuild a slim hook for the M to make it a C, or am I not understanding your post properly?

you can not make a Rafale C straight from the M kit, you need M+B =C

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you can not make a Rafale C straight from the M kit, you need M+B =C

At the end of the day M + B = C is probably the cheapest option however extravagant.

You get most of the options you need standard in the B kit (armament , revised rear fuselage with chaff / flare launchers) at a price that is probably lower than buying all the required resin.

All you'll need to source are the 113- or 118- aircraft codes but they are only needed if you want to model a post-2008 aircraft.

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May I conclude based on all input ? In order to build the C version, the option I got right now is :

1) Use spine insert & canopy from Revell M and mated it with Revell B ( need to buy 2 kits!)

2) Buy the Hobbyboss C & update it with Wolfpack upgrade set

Which is the best way? I think Hobbyboss kit is not too bad at all perhap?

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Do you have any reference pics for the differences ( Besides landing gear and tail hook)?

If you are using the Revell Rafale M, the upper fuselage and tail are from an early kit; I don't know about the Ace Kit. Therefore you need to replace these items, plus landing gear tail hook from the B Kit.

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Aaaaaahhhh Okay I get you now, Yeah the Ace Corp M is the same mold as the Revell M apparently.

Wheres the difference in the tail section? the only difference I see is the antennae(Is that what it is?) On the tip of the tail?

Sorry about all the questions, I just want to make sure I get these right!

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For some additional information you could maybe print out both these pdfs for reference:

Careful though, I smell a "cut 'n paste" job.

http://www.smds.ws/downloads/instructions48/SMDS48001D.pdf

http://www.smds.ws/downloads/instructions48/SMDS48002D.pdf

The "M" version:

For the rear self-defense suite it is not really necessary to buy a resin conversion kit IMHO.

All you need to do is remove the appropriate panel and box in the opening with plasticard:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a271/NIN...aleExhaust1.jpg

This might also apply to the HB "C" model, I don't have that one so can't comment.

For the new Revell "B" you don't need to do this, it is included in the kit as standard as are the additional launchers on the weapons pylons.

these links might be of interest:

http://rafalenews.blogspot.com/

Some nice cockpit detail:

http://www.rafale.gr/brochures/FLIGHT_Rampage.pdf

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