I picked the build up again in February 2024 and while looking at what else needs to be done I reaalized that I had missed out on the a pair of lights on each wingroot. These were quickly handpainted. Based on pictures the inner one is actually a clear panel with the outer one being colored. Hobbyboss molded these as solid plastic so I did the best I could. The ‘clear’ light was painted with Vallejo Model Air Metallics Gungrey while the colored ones were Clear Red and Blue over a base of silver.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
A light panel wash was done with (my usual) thinned Abteilung Starship Filth which adds some subtle depth to the kit. Operational Rafales are not that dirty so I kept the staining to only some spots like the area around the canopy opening.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-2.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
I added additional staining to the rear quarters as per the reference photos.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
It’s nothing as bad as US Navy aircraft though.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-4.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
Once the weathering is done I removed the canopy masking and found that overspray has gotten inside the canopy. I popped it off and cleaned it up using Vallejo Airbrush Cleaner.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-5.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
With the canopy popped off I decided to go ahead and stick a piece of Aurora film onto the HUD to give it the distinctive prismatic effect I always see in photos. Note how the canopy just doesn’t quite fit flush. Clear parts are more brittle so I decided not to force it.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-6.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
While doing final assembly on the nose gear, I realized that both gear doors have gone missing.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-7.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
I didn’t want to leave it alone nor buy a new kit just for the parts so I scratchbuilt the doors myself using 0.5mm and 0.18mm plastic cards. I also gave the whole assembly a slight bend.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-8.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
The result is not bad and I believe is actually more accurate than Hobbyboss’ part because the kit didn’t replicate the actuators.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-9.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
And then of course, another disaster struck. Somehow a drop of sprue glue plopped onto the kit…
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-10.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
I masked off the canopy and slowly sanded and buffed away the sprue glue. I then rescribed the panel lines.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-11.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
The repainted area looks lighter than the surrounding area.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-12.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
So I tried my best to blend everything together with weathering.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-13.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
Luckily for me this area is where the crew climbs in and out of the aircraft so it sees more wear and tear.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-14.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
Finally it’s time to attach the stores starting as usual from the inside to out. Oddly none of the holes on the missiles fit the pins on the wingtips. I ended up cutting one of the pins off each missile so they fit.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-15.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
So after almost a year, this kit is done.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rocketpunch.biz/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/wip23-hb-rafale-3-16.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1)
I took a final look around the kit and realized that I missed out on painting the top part of the SCALP EG so I carefully sprayed them while they are in place. Now I’m really done with it.
Build Log
Pt.1 – Construction | Pt.2 – Painting & Finishing | Pt.3 – Painting & Finishing