Site is in French only, I'm relatively fluent, but still took me a while to figure it out.
Cost about 75 Euro's for model + shipping to China. In typical French fashion they only shipped a few weeks after I ordered.
Also, when it arrived the package and bubble wrap was one big soggy mess; it was open already and I pulled the box straight out. Lucky that it has a really solid cardboard box and was wrapped in plastic! If it had been an HM or CW model, it could easily have been ruined.
Anyway, on to the model. I'll get the bad news out of the way first as it will put some people off this model for sure. Sitting down? Ready.......?
Ok, here goes..... THERE ARE ALMOST NO PANEL LINES!
I don't mean they're shallow like on Witty models, they just don't exist!
There are some very basic ones, such as for ailerons and flaps, but it's mostly smooth. So this is most definitely not Altaya's mold. Also, it is mostly made of metal.
I assume half of you have may have left the thread now So, let me move on to the good bits. As mentioned the package is really solid and it's all very nicely presented. Removing it I find some weird felt-like crap on the model though, which came from the packaging, but a simple wipe down got rid of it.
I like the loadout, with the Hammer AASM's, which is close to what the Rafale C's have carried over Libya and Afghanistan. I got the C rather than the M or B for this reason, as the M carries a ship-killer loadout and the B carries Storm Shadow missiles. The paint and colours are good and so are the basic markings.
Rather than just pick a specific plane, they provide a decal sheet that allows you a lot of different options. I definitely wanted a bird that had seen combat, so that meant going with the "Provence" squadron for the C. After spending some time scouring the internets, I found that 113-GA pops up in a lot of pictures from "Operation Harmattan" (French intervention in Libya), so that's the one I went with. (see link) The stand is sort of interesting too. From a distance, I think it looks really good and the lack of surface detail doesn't bother me too much anymore.
The Rafale is the result of France having its own ideas when all the European partners got together to discuss building what would eventually become the Eurofighter Typhoon. They wanted a multi-role (or Omnirole as they like to call it) fighter rather than one geared for air superiority and they wanted all the top jobs and top pick on what parts of the plane they got to build. Talks broke down quickly after that and they went their own way. The result is the entirely French designed and built Dassault Rafale. It can't really touch the Eurofighter in BVR (it's radar has shorter detection range) and especially WVR combat as it doesn't have the insane thrust-to-weight of the Typhoon. (actually no other plane does either)
It also can't manouver the same way due to having a much less revolutionary airframe than the Typhoon and the canards being closer to the wing, but that does give it great speed at low altitudes. Also, it can carry a lot more air-to-ground weapons, including nukes. As a result, it's probably a pretty good low-level penetration strike aircrat. The Rafale seemed to do ok over Libya, striking with precision and using it's built-in SPECTRA ECM suite to fly in contested air space. Turnaround was allegedly better on the Typhoon, but the Rafale is significantly cheaper to buy and operate. (about 20%) As a result they finally secured some export sales fairly recently.
I believe that PremiumX is a IXO Models brand and Dassault uses them under contract to provide Dassault with it's aircraft.....although IXO Model primarily does diecast vehicles and motorcycles. Having written that, IXO Model once produced planes under the IXO label. So you only need to look at the LESS than high quality of the previous planes produced under the IXO label to assume the same mediocre manufacturing of PremiumX planes.
Thanks for the review. Bit of a mixed feeling about this. I would prefer more panel lines (Witty level would be ok), and the join lines around the nose and engine inlets are more prominent than I'd like, but it's not a bad effort. But the price does seem a bit steep?
Still, I would quite like a Rafaele so I won't rule it out!
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I'd really love to add a Rafale to my collection but, yes, I think this has a little too detail for me. I'd also love a decent Typhoon because the Corgi one just doesn't look right to me.
The join lines in the nose area are more noticeable. I will say the best looking/made model in the group in the Mirage in my opinion.
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One day I'll pull the trigger on a Rafale, which, in my opinion looks far sexier than the typhoon, I guess its the canards being set further back behind the cockpit, giving a nice sleek looking front end.
I hear the 1:1 aircraft is better too, being more agile, being able to carry more weapons, and fuel tanks...and all designed by one nation, including a Navalised version.
Meanwhile the RAF has to make do with second best, but, like all multi-national collaborations (other than the Tornado) there seem to be too many compromises...don't get me wrong, the Typhoon is badass, but the Rafale is better and more versatile, for starters, it can land on an aircraft carrier in 'M' guise.
The RN has to make do with, what most aviation experts and enthusiasts alike agree, is the biggest, most expensive flying turd ever to leave the ground...personally I want to like the F-35...but it seems to be sh*t at, well, everything, and its a bit of a dog to look at too.
Anyway, sorry for digressing, thanks for the photos, when I have a bit of spare cash for a fighter that isn't a USN 70s carrier bird, which is where most of my military budget is going at the moment, there is a good chance, this is what I'll buy, though probably in 'M' format....so, next year or two then!
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The F-35 is never going to be a favourite of anyone who loves a bird that looks beautiful and moves beautifully, and that's obviously going to be the huge majority of us on a forum like this. But when it comes down to doing the thing it's meant to do - its primary purpose - it will be better equipped, by far, than all the planes we have come to love. Yes, it's had its problems, but then so many of the planes we love have, too; and the tech is such now that you should expect teething problems to be more severe and more complicated. The game has changed and so must the rules.
I wouldn't be surprised to see UAVs taking over the fighter roles in our lifetimes; initially remotely operated, but eventually autonomous. Scary, but inevitable, I reckon.
Base cost of model is 52 Euro's, shipping to China pushed it to 75, probably much cheaper in Europe.
Completely agree that the F35 will eventually be good at what it was designed for. Throughout history, most AA kills have been scored by the plane that spotted its opponent first. And almost all kills in the last 30 years have been BVR. Stealth doesn't make F35's invisble, but does make it very likely an opposing aricraft will not detect them or get a shot in before the F35's do. And its thrust/weight is still pretty good, even in WVR, it can do things at a high AOA an F16 couldn't.
On top of that, the F35 will be more of a mobile command and control platform, directing fire from ship-borne missiles and having its own small drone squadron. Likely a mix of piloted controlled aircraft and its autonomous fleet of dogfighting drones is next.
But, yeah, they need to iron out all the bugs. It's a very complex aircraft and they probably tried to incorporate too much new technology at once. Also, the need for the STOVL F35B made the other versions a bit too heavy too. The F35 has an incredibly powerful engine, it's the weight causing the drop in performance.
As for the Typhoon/Rafale comparison, neither is really better overall, they were built for different purposes. The Typhoon's is air superiority, which it excells at against any non-stealth aircraft. The Rafale is the superior strike aircraft. (arguably currently more relevant)
The F-35 is never going to be a favourite of anyone who loves a bird that looks beautiful and moves beautifully, and that's obviously going to be the huge majority of us on a forum like this.
Yeah, except that beauty is really subjective. I don't think a huge majoritypurchase models here on what you stated alone. People have all sorts of motives purchasing birds on this forum, i.e. the history of the bird (during war, peace, contribution to aviation etc.), its relevance to their service/country/family/etc., or the fact it is a fun thing to have on your desk.
Quote:
Originally Posted by geeforce9
The RN has to make do with, what most aviation experts and enthusiasts alike agree, is the biggest, most expensive flying turd ever to leave the ground...personally I want to like the F-35...but it seems to be sh*t at, well, everything, and its a bit of a dog to look at too.
Thanks for sharing the website info btw...at €52, the 1:72 Rafales look like great value (if you live in Europe at least), I am very very tempted...check out these special schemes!
Like I said, I think the Rafale is just hot stuff, pipping the Eurofighter in the looks department, and I have 5 of those...now I've seen these special schemes, I am already now finding excuses to explain to the better half, why I need to blow another ton-and-a-half on model fighters hahaha!
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Yeah, except that beauty is really subjective. I don't think a huge majoritypurchase models here on what you stated alone. People have all sorts of motives purchasing birds on this forum, i.e. the history of the bird (during war, peace, contribution to aviation etc.), its relevance to their service/country/family/etc., or the fact it is a fun thing to have on your desk.
Whatever decision is being made about the F-35 is the decision made. It's not like we can do anything about it like Brexit As for popularity as a model subject, it certainly is there to a degree as both diecast and plastic kits versions have been released.
I actually quite like it. Despite the lack of panel lines, it still looks good to me. At least the line for the flaps, canards and rudder are there. I mean if you're only gonna scrib limited panel lines might as well do it for those right? The scheme definitely helps, and it looks mean in a full load out. I thought the altaya version was too dark and felt it was naked with the ordnance it came it. If IXO did it in this paint scheme with this exact load out maybe I would've prefer that one. But to me I'll definitely take this one over the IXO or at least as far as this scheme is concerned
I was also considering buying PremiumX Rafale too, but now, when I´ve seen these closeup photos, I´m hesitating - the lack of surface details is doomy.
Also someone on this forum mentioned incorrect nose shape of PremiumX Rafale, which appears to be slanted down more than is correct. But if I remember good, this concerned two-seater only.
How I see it:
PremiumX 1/72 Rafale:
1. Missing panel lines and lack of surface details make this model rather cheap looking and somehow boring.
This may be slightly improved by decal stencils (Authentic Decal 7264 e.g.), but still not sufficiently, or by scribing limited panel lines as Tim suggested. Btw. which technique you had in mind to make this scribing, Tim?
2. Shallow and blinded air intakes are another big flaw of this model, its maybe one of the worst intake renditions in diecast, really toyish. (hopefully this may be corrected by Dremel tool and needle file)
Altaya 1/72 Rafale:
1. Often QC issues
2. Mainly plastic, only small amount of metal
3. Lack of ordnance (but some ordnance can be added from plastic kit or aftermarket weapon set).
4. Not M version available (maybe re-decalling with Authentic Decal 7264 will work for those who desparetely want naval Rafale.)
5. Slightly too dark as Tim mentioned. Here are SKF photos where you can check how much different both colors are. For me the difference isn´t that big (judging from different photos only)
- the seam under the front fuselage is similarly ugly on both models.
- general shape is correct on both models.
I wish to know whether Altaya 1/72 Rafale looks good in the flesh if someone can tell,
but anyway: in the end - isn´t Altaya 1/72 better looking Rafale model after all? Especially with regard to panel lines?
Thanks for the review. I have the "M" and I'm pretty happy with everything about it except those awful intakes. Before I take a Dremel and file to them I'll see if paint can provide an adequate illusion.
F-35 v Rafale for the RN? Well an actual jet on actual boats would trump promises and plans - if you know, one of those inconveniently timed war things happen.
PremiumX 1/72 Dassault Rafale C
So, let me move on to the good bits. As mentioned the package is really solid and it's all very nicely presented. Removing it I find some weird felt-like crap on the model though, which came from the packaging, but a simple wipe down got rid of it.
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