Jeff's Rafale' rapture

[jssel]

I too, will build the Hobby Boss Rafale' B. The Box art version.

Pictures will follow.

[jssel]

Negative Brews. That is the one I want to do. No worries. Easier decaling I think.

[jssel]

Brews and I are doing the same kit. I elected to do the box art version.



This morning I removed the poly bags and looked things over.



Work commenced by fitting and gluing pieces that have two halves.

I really like the cockpit area and the seats seem very well detailed. Four pieces per seat. Should pant up nicely.



Oh happy day. Parts F-1 and F-2, after much effort fit in fairly well.



So far the construction is going well. I must now read Brews thread so I am forewarned.

[Sissel]

It's very interesting to see two building the same kit. Will be fun to watch how you handle the different ehm... obstacles
Am enjoying this GB already.

Good luck Jeff.

Sissel

[jssel]

Aren't they the bugger though? Between dropping them like you it almost took three hands to complete the job.

Time to paint the innards.

[ShaunW]

This looks to be a nice kit. We can also compare your efforts to those of Brews. Which is nice. I like to see how two modellers approach the same kit.

[Softscience]

Looks like you got the F-1 F-2 assembly under control Jeff. Seats look nice from far off too. How about a close up?

[jssel]

Decaled the cockpit and instrument panels this morning before work. The decals are required to snuggle down over a lot of relief on the panels. Boooooo. Solv-a-set and future did the job however. The front cockpit decals had been cut out and soaking before I realized that there is in fact carrier film along the edges. This makes them oversized. The rear seater decals got trimmed right up to the colorline and that made application easier. seat are painted and ready for belting.

[jssel]

Today's update has the top and bottom fuselage pieces together. Sandwiched in between is the canards and cockpit. The canards actually work and the fit overall is really good.



As I stated before, the seats got some tape belts. If you notice the pictures in Brews build, you will not that there is not a lot of belt work needed. The pilot connects himself to the pad that is attached to the seat.



Things are moving along nicely now.

[ShaunW]

Nice cockpit Jeff, the whole effort is coming along well now.

[splash]

It's looking good, I'm really starting to like HobbyBoss kits.

Regards
Splash

[Sissel]

It looks great. I'm tempted to try a HobbyBoss kit someday...

Sissel

[Draken]

Nice job Jeff!

What are the seat belts made off? Are they in the kit or did you make them?

This kit is on my wish list so I am following both of you with much interest!

Cheers,
Eugenio

[Dirkpitt289]

Nice work on the cockpit Jeff. I like the harness.

[jssel]

Underwing stores racks are mounted. Not sure of the load out for Tiger Meet 2006 but I am sure they carried some sort of electronic tracking devices for shots taken etc.

I am really enjoying this build.

Later I will post a photo of the only area to cause fits. The bottom portion of the intakes are rounded and the attach point is square.
Some filing will be need here.