Hobby Master 1/72 French Marine Nationale Dassault Rafale M No 28, 12F (HA9602)

Rafale means ”Gust of Wind” or “Gust of Fire”. This aircraft is a twin-engine, canard delta wing, and a multirole fighter. With the varied payload available and electronics the Rafale is capable of carrying out any type of mission. After a disagreement with the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain concerning the “Future European Fighter Aircraft” work sharing, Dassault decided to go it alone and began developing the Rafale. In July 1986 the prototype made its first flight. After lengthy delays the Rafale went into production in 2001.

Because of the Libyan civil war a no-fly zone was established by several countries to help protect the Libyan civilians from air and ground attacks by the Gaddafi government. The French contribution to this action was called Harmattan (hot dry winds that blow over the Sahara). French Air Force Rafale aircraft began their missions on March 19, 2011 and soon after were joined by French Navy Rafales flying from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle while the Air Force operated from Solenzara AB on Corsica.