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
The Rafale was developed by Dassault after the French withdrew from the Eurofighter
program. As of this writing it is the most advanced French fighter aircraft.
There are four versions of the Rafale. 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 prototype flew on July 4, 1986 as the Avion de Combat Experimental or ACX fighter. This became the
model 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 Rafale A ended up flying with General Electric engines.
The French Ministry of Defense was so impressed by the performance of the demonstration aircraft that
they placed initial production orders in 1988. Eventually the M-88 engines were
fitted to the aircraft before the demonstrator version was retired in 1994.
Initial production of the Rafale called for only three versions. The Model B as a two seat trainer for the French Air Force; the Model
C as a single seat fighter for the French Air Force, and the Model M as a single
seat carrier based fighter for the French Navy.
In 1991 the prototype Model C flew, with two of the Model M prototypes taking to the air later that year.
In 1993 the Model B had its first flight with a second Model M
flying only a few months later. It was initially order as a training aircraft,
however the Gulf War and Kosovo showed that a second crew member was invaluable on attack and reconnaissance missions.
After that, more 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 to be designated as Model N.
Deliveries of the Rafale to the French Navy began in 2001 and
the first squadron became fully operational on the carrier Charles de Gaulle in
2002. Carrier based aircraft do not have folding wings. This was done as a cost saving measure.
Rafale aircraft were in action over Libya where they engage ground targets and provided reconnaissance.
The Rafale was the winner of the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft Competition to sell 126 aircraft to India.
A rc Rafale from NitroPlanes.
The pictures above and below are for the rc Rafale from NitroPlanes. There are two paint schemes available, tiger and navy. Wingspan is
26", length is 39", and power comes from a brushless motor turning a 64 mm ducted fan unit. Included are a radio, speed controller, batteries and charger.
There are two sets of plans for the rc Rafale at Parkjets.com. Both are foamy pusher props. One has a length of 29.5" and a wing
span of 21". A larger design rc Rafale from Ray Steel has a wingspan of 26.5" and a length of 32". Steel recommends
a Hacker A20-20L motor and 9 x 6 pusher propeller for power.
The second picture below is of the Aeroloft Designs rc Rafale. It is 1/9 scale with a 50" wingspan and 70" length. Construction features a gel coated epoxy glass
fuselage and foam wings. You can power it with an OS MG 1891 DF engine and a 2023 Ramtec fan unit. All up weight should be between 14 and 15 lbs.
Bob Violet Models also has a rc Rafale for sale. Pictured below is the spectacular radio control airplane built by Terry Nitsch from a BVM kit.
BVM sells the rc Rafale in two models, for single or twin turbine engines shown next below. Both have a length of 86" and a wing span of 64". If you chose
single turbine power, BVM recommends one putting out 45 lbs. of thrust. For twin turbines, recommended thrust is 35 lbs. each. Weigh should be 35 lbs. to 40 lbs. all up.
Aero-naut Modellbau has a rc Rafale for twin EDF units. It features a glass fuselage that is 53" long, and wings with a 37" span.
For power Aero-naut recommends Kontronic Tango 45-07 or 45-08 motors. The rc Rafale is recommended for advanced rc pilots.
The next picture on this page is of the Fei Bao Jets rc Rafale. It has a 57" wingspan and 81"
length. Power can come from a single 22 lb. thrust turbine. All up weight should be between 20 and 24 lbs.
HET-RC has a rc Rafale. It has a wingspan of 33 1/2" and a length of 42". Construction materials are a fiberglass fuse and
balsa over foam wings. You will need a pair of Typhoon motors turning mini fans to power the 4 1/2 lb. model.
Hobby King sells a profile scale rc Rafale with a 25" wingspan and a a 34" length. Included is a motor turning a 64 mm EDF unit.
RC Lander, China, has a foamy rc Rafale. The RTF (ready to fly) rc Rafale has a wingspan of 32 1/2" and length is 43". You will need to provide the motor and 70 mm EDF unit.
Weight is around 4 lbs.
ICARE has a rc Rafale for sale. It comes in your choice of fiberglass or Kevlar. Wingspan is 52", length is 40", and weight is around 7 lbs. You can
power it with either a single turbo fan 4000 or two turbo fan 1,000 EDF units.
Ducted Fans.com has two models of the rc Rafale.
The smaller rc Rafale has a wingspan of 41" and a length of 53". You will need a turbo fan 400 to turn the 120 mm EDF unit.
The larger rc Rafale from Ducted Fans.com has a 48" wingspan and is 71" long. A 20 lb. thrust turbine is suggested to power the 12 lb. rc scale model.
Aviation Design has a rc Rafale with a 63" wingspan and a 89" length. The fuse is made from epoxy and the wings are all molded. From 26 to 35 lb. turbines
will be needed to power the approximately 28 lb. model.
Christen Diffusion sells the rc Rafale in two models.
There is a 48" wingspan, 71" long fuselage rc Rafale. It weighs around 17 1/2 lbs. From 15 to 19 lb. thrust turbines are recommended for power.
The Christen Diffusion 62" wingspan rc Rafale has a length of 89". It weighs about 39 lbs. and uses from 27 to 36 lb. thrust turbines.
The last picture on this page is of a rc Rafale from Philip Avonds. It has a fuselage made from epoxy, with balsa sheeted foam wings. Length is 70" and wingspan is
50". Weight is around 16 lbs. Turbines can put out from 12 to 17 lbs. of thrust.
If there is a rc Rafale that you would like to tell us about, please email us.
Dassault_Rafale
