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  Rafale C & B
  by VPA (for FS2004)

  (Previewed December 2011)


The well known Rafale by Cyril Pioffet was released in December 2002 and while it has been successfully ported into FS2004 there has never been a publically available Rafale built specifically for FS2004.  That will change very shortly with the release of a new Rafale C from Vincent Hellegouarch, Philippe Devallez, and Alexandre Baffert (VPA).

Vincent is the modeler and began this project three years ago, using FSDS to build the model.

When the aircraft was far enough along to begin flying in Flight Simulator, Alexandre began developing the flight model. 		 

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Four external configurations are included:

  • A clean version (above) with wingtip mounted MICA-EM missiles.
  • An "Operational Performance" version (left) with centerline 1,250 liter fuel tank and wingtip mounted MICA-EM missiles.
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  • A "Long Range" version (right) with three 1,250 liter external fuel tanks, four Meteor missiles under wing and fuselage, and wingtip mounted MICA-EM missiles.
  • A reconnaissance version (below) with two 2,000 liter wing tanks and centerline mounted AREOS Pod and wingtip mounted MICA-EM missiles.
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        Philippe Devallez joined the project this past April to help with programming the xml gauges and to assist with the website.

    Realizing the need for additional assistance with gauge programming, Philippe contacted Pierre Fasseaux.  Pierre developed the PMSO, the MFD structure and the chrono (clock).

    Vincent painted textures for four individual aircraft from Escadron de Chasse 1/7 'Provence' based at Base Aerienne 113 de Saint-Dizier.

    Jonathan Hilaire painted the full 2D and 3D bitmaps and Eric Dantes provided assistance in making the 3D panel textures visible at night.

    		   

        The VC and 2D panel include a fully functional PMSO to control the contents of the left and right MFD displays as well as function as a warning panel.  The depth of these systems rivals that of the similar system included in the FSX Rafale C/M of Roland Laborie.  The center SiTAC (Situation Tactique) display features both radar and moving map.  Other features controlled from the cockpit include working fuel dump and flares.

    February 2012 Update: The Rafale by VPA may soon be released after a month of delays waiting for Dassault Aviation authorization.  The situation has been covered on several French language blogs; Korben (using one of my in-game images), Zone Militaire, and Armee Media; as well as SimOuthouse forum.  It is a nice model so fingers crossed.

    April 2012 Update: After several months of negotiation with Dassault Aviation, the new Rafale C by VPA for FS2004 has been released.  Further development of the aircraft is planned and if there is enough interest a Rafale B and Rafale M will be made.

    July 2012 Update: The Rafale B has been released.  The aircraft shares some files with the Rafale C package so it is necessary to have the Rafale C installed for both versions.  There are several packs.  The Rafale B "Base" pack is required for all.

    The additional packs add more external configurations with flight model adjustments for each (payload and external fuel effects).  Dassault Aviation was involved with the flight model files in making modifications, testing, and in final approval.

    The Export pack offers camouflage textures as well as the conformal fuel tanks (1,150 litres each side) located along the fuselage spine.  Fuel and payloads varied in the markings of three squadrons allow you to simulate all kinds of mission payloads: GBU, ASMP, SCALP, etc.

     

     


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