I’m building a French Air Force Rafale so the color scheme is a uniform medium gray which can look somewhat monotonous.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-01.jpg?resize=1024%2C692&ssl=1)
To add some variations to the finish I first added a mottling coat with white color over a base of black.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-02.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
There are usually staining on the hind quarters. To help the eventual oil paint staining along I added some pre-staining at this stage with a medium brown color.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-03.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
Painting is done with very thinned gray paint so the mottling still shows.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-04.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
Hobbyboss calls for FS16440 for the gray but it’s clearly too light. Discussions online can’t decide on whether the gray is FS36270 or FS36231. I decided to go with FS36270 using Mr Hobby Aqueous H306.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-05.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
The key is light coats to slowly build up the opacity.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-06.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
Comparing to the reference photos though, the gray was too blue so I decided to test out FS36231 instead. In this case the paint is from the AK Real Color line. This shade looks more accurate.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-07.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
A much better result.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-08.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
Because I was basically overcoating with another layer or two of paint I had to go easy and try not to cover up too much of the mottling.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-09.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
The nose is actually a different shade of gray and I went with Mr Hobby Aqueous H306.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-11.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
The Hobbyboss instructions miss out on a lot of the small details for which I had to refer to the Prime Portal walkround for. These small details were all handpainted. Note that I painted the sensor windows on the intakes not realizing that the decal sheet will actually address them.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-12.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
There are some handpainted details on the wingtip pylons too.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-13.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
The APU outlet area was masked and sprayed with Vallejo Metal Color Jet Exhaust.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-14.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
The tailfin also has details handpainted and the Rafale now looks like a (very) slightly lesser slab of gray.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-10.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
A lot of colors are needed to paint up missiles but I have found that painting them is easier than using decals for the various bands.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wip23-hb-rafale-2-15.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
After a gloss coat, it was time for decals. In this case, they are from DXM Decal’s Rafale 11-7144 sheet for 113-GE which is the same bird as my primary reference from Prime Portal.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-2-16-1024x682.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
The decals were nice and thin and went on without any problems. I appreciated the inclusion of the formation lights which, being capsule shaped, would have been a pain to mask and spray. I was especially happy with the inclusion of the diagonal ones on the nose.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-2-17.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
It seems like the French don’t really bother with many stencils on their aircraft. Nice.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-2-18.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
I was finished in no time and well… I stopped. I simply lost the mojo to continue and the kit remained in this state for many months.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-2-19.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
Build Log
Pt.1 – Construction | Pt.2 – Painting & Finishing | Pt.3 – Painting & Finishing