HOME      Dassault Rafale

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
 
Dassault Rafale aircraft were developed after the French withdrew from the Eurofighter program.  As of this writing is the most advanced French fighter aircraft.
 
Dassault Rafale aircraft have four versions.  It is being produced in one and two seat versions. First as a carrier based fighter with the French Navy as models M and N and also for land based operations with the French Air Force as models B and C. 
 
The first Dassault Rafale prototype flew on July 4, 1986 as the Avion de Combat Experimental or ACX fighter. This became the Dassault Rafale A demonstrator aircraft. Plans called for the use of SNECMA M-88 engines with the original design, however they were not ready in time. The Dassault Rafale A ended up flying with the same engines used on the F/A-18 Hornet. The French Ministry of Defense was so impressed by the performance of the demonstration Dassault Rafale aircraft that they placed initial production orders in 1988. Eventually the M-88 engines were fitted to the Rafale before the demonstrater version was retired in 1994.
 
Dassault Rafale initial production called for three versions. TheDassault Rafale Model B as a two seat trainer for the French Air Force; the Dassault Rafale Model C as a single seat fighter for the French Air Force, and the Dassault Rafale Model M as a single seat carrier based fighter for the French Navy.
 
In 1991 the prototype Dassault Rafale Model C flew with two of the Model M prototypes taking to the air later that year.
 
In 1993 the Dassault Rafale B had its first flight with a second Model M flying only a few months later.
 
The Model B Dassault Rafale was initially order as a training aircraft, however the Gulf War and Kosevo showed that a second crew member was invaluable on attack and reconnaissance missions. After that, more Dassault Rafale B models were ordered, taking the place of some of the C models. The French Navy came to a similar conclusion and also ordered a two seat version of the Dassault Rafale to be designated as Model N.
 
Deliveries of the Dassault Rafale to the French Navy began in 2001 and the first squadron became fully operational on the carrier Charles de Gaulle in 2002. Dassault Rafale carrier based aircraft do not have folding wings. This was done as a cost saving measure.
 

Specifications

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        Year Deployed:
multirole fighter
one or two
SNECMA M88
2- 19,560 lbs ea.
50' 2"
35' 9"
20,000 lbs.
47,400 lbs.
1- 30 mm
fourteen
13,230 lbs.
630 mph
1,320 mph
60,000 fpm
66,600 feet
1,940 miles
7/4/86
2002
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane from Parkjets.com plans.
 
Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
There are two sets of plans for RC Dassault Rafale airplanes at Parkjets.com. Both radio control airplanes are foam pusher props.
 
Pictured above is the great looking rc Dassault Rafale airplane from GGRN found at Parkjets.com. The radio control airplane has a length of 29.5" and a wing span of 21". Powering the rc airplane is a Feigao 1236 4100 Kv motor with a 3 x 2 pusher propeller.
 
Not pictured is the Ray Steel design Dassault Rafale radio control airplane, also found at Parkjets.com. The RC Dassault Rafale airplane has a wing span of 26.5" and a length of 32". Steel recommends a Hacker A20-20L motor and 9 x 6 pusher propeller to power his radio control airplane.
 
The first picture below is of the Aeroloft Designs rc Dassault Rafale airplane. The radio control airplane is 1/9 scale with a 50" wing span and 70" length. Construction of the rc airplane features a gell-coated epoxy glass fuselage and foam wings. You can power the RC Dassault Rafale Airplane with an OS MG 1891 DF engine and a 2023 Ramtec fan unit. All up weight of the radio control airplane should be between 14 and 15 lbs.
 
Bob Violet Models also has a rc Dassault Rafale airplane. Pictured below is the spectacular radio control airplane built by Terry Nitsch from a BVM radio control airplane kit.
 
BVM sells the RC Dassault Rafale Airplane in two models, for single or twin turbine engines. Both radio control airplanes have a length of 86" and a weight of 64". If you chose a single turbine to power the RC Airplane, BVM recommends one putting out 45 lbs. of thrust. For twin turbines powering the radio control airplane, recommended thrust is 35 lbs. each. The BVM Dassault Rafale radio control airplane should weigh 35 lbs. to 40 lbs. all up.
 
Aero-naut Modellbau has a RTC rc Dassault Rafale airplane for twin EDF units. The radio control airplane features a glass fuselage. The RC Dassault Rafale airplane has a fuselage that is 53" long and wings with a 37" span. To power their radio control airplane, Aero-naut recommends Kontronic Tango 45-07 or 45-08 motors. The rc airplane is recommended for advanced rc pilots.
 
The last picture on this page is of the Fei Bao Jets Dassault Rafale radio control airplane. The RC Airplane has a 57" wing span and 81" length. Power for the radio control airplane can come from a single 22 lb. thrust turbine. All up weight of the rc Dassault Rafale airplane should be between 20 and 24 lbs.
 
Have you built a Dassault Rafale radio control airplane you would like to tell us about? Can you recommend a RC Dassault Rafale airplane kit, ARF, or plans? If so, please email us.


Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane from Aeroloft Designs.
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane from BVM.

Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane from Fei Bao Jets.