BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
Hi - looking at purchasing a BVM Rafale kit.
Could anyone give me their thoughts on the performance of this model? Obviously 'a little' old school now and not in production any more, but typical fantastic BV quality... maybe a little heavier than the other jets we're all now building. Not a huge amount of info re this model online. Thanks in advance. |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
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ORIGINAL: tobba Hi - looking at purchasing a BVM Rafale kit. Could anyone give me their thoughts on the performance of this model? Obviously 'a little' old school now and not in production any more, but typical fantastic BV quality... maybe a little heavier than the other jets we're all now building. Not a huge amount of info re this model online. Thanks in advance. I fly mine with a single AMT-450 and it's plenty of power for all phases of flight, including super-slow high-alpha. I don't think you would be dissapointed. Craig |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
Thanks Craig. Awesome accolades.
I'm choosing between the Rafale and the BVM F4. Quite different subjects obviously. Thanks for your feedback. Regards Craig |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
...on the other hand same scale with rivets everywhere is the AD Rafale
http://rwww.adjets.com/ my2c |
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ORIGINAL: tobba Thanks Craig. Awesome accolades. I'm choosing between the Rafale and the BVM F4. Quite different subjects obviously. Thanks for your feedback. Regards Craig FYI, both these jets require something called "building" and "painting" but the instructions/plans are superb and you end up with model vastly superior to any ARF on the market. Craig |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
it's a great jet amigo and at or near the top of the class in prefabrication.
the same guys who make the Ultra Bandit make this jet and the level of prefabrication is spectacular. high alpha / low speed or low alpha and blistering speed you can't go wrong. it has an expansive flight envelope, it's loaded with fuel....has the space and carrying capability to carry plenty of smoke fluid also. I flew mine with the AT450 and pix are on BV's website. good luck with your decision. cheers ..also if you decide to purchase the airplane and want a set of wing bags for the wing, tail and canards in addition to missle tube holders I still have mine. |
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Hey Craig - thanks, love your machines.
Its all about the build for me - not interested in ARF's. I've done a few BVM models and in the middle of a Tomahawk Hawk at the moment. See my Hawk at: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_93...11/key_/tm.htm A shot of my BV Mig - sport scale but great fun building this one. Thanks for the info, The Rafale seems maybe more appealing purely for the more controllable landing setup. Regards Craig |
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Tobba, no doubt the BVM Rafale have been amongst my most rewarding jets.
I still have my original one (first kit out of production), and often fly my camo one (fantasy scheme). Building them is very easy due to the quality and precision of the kit. I fly them with a couple of Jetcat 160. I can transition from very high alpha to accelerating verticals easily ... awesome. Speeds of 250 MPH without diving (it is not prohibited in Venezuela .. LOL). I know that twins are complicated, but I enjoy complicated models :D Landing is easy, but to be honest, Craig makes them look easier that what they really are !!!! Craig: I cannot forget your flights with the Rafale at Top Gun. They were just unbelievable. I have always thought that the Rafale is the plane that you fly the best. Summarizing: awesome and enjoyable model. Let me know if I can be of any help with your project. Jack |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
ORIGINAL: tobba Hey Craig - thanks, love your machines. Its all about the build for me - not interested in ARF's. I've done a few BVM models and in the middle of a Tomahawk Hawk at the moment. See my Hawk at: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_93...11/key_/tm.htm A shot of my BV Mig - sport scale but great fun building this one. Thanks for the info, The Rafale seems maybe more appealing purely for the more controllable landing setup. Regards Craig Great to see interest in doing a full on build!!!!! |
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I to have built a few of the BVM jets and if you are really looking for the Quality and the best and most reliable jets out there you can't go wrong with any of the BVM kits. I have not ownsed a Rafale i do have an F-100 and the 80" F-86 that i have built and when i get the chance i would like to get an F-4. This is my example of the F-100 that i built and finished last year and i love it.
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RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
ORIGINAL: Jack Diaz Landing is easy, but to be honest, Craig makes them look easier that what they really are !!!! Craig: I cannot forget your flights with the Rafale at Top Gun. They were just unbelievable. I have always thought that the Rafale is the plane that you fly the best. Jack I always thought this jet would become popular when BV came out with the single engine version and people saw how well it flew. Unfortunately, ARF's have taken over and there are not that many builders left. Craig |
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I just picked up one of these Rafaels. This will be the second one I have owned. They just fly incredible.
This one will be Twin Jet Central cheetah power.. :D;) Pablo Fernández |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
ORIGINAL: pbusa1400 I just picked up one of these Rafaels. This will be the second one I have owned. They just fly incredible. This one will be Twin Jet Central cheetah power.. :D;) Pablo Fernández |
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That would be awesome!!! I need to build a transport crate for it.
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I bet you someone is driving from fl
Franco will set that up for you if you want... In fact, let me ask him to send my dad's plane, and he can make 2 crates at once.... let's talk |
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I'm doing dual gyros for the ailerons(JR 370a). My last one had none. The cheetahs should keep the wing loading low. My last one flew great on twin Ram 1000's
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Perfect!!!
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Pablo, the Rafale doesn't need gyro in the ailerons.
It does need it on the rudder (with a lot of gain). Is it my imagination, or am I perceiving some kind of conspiracy between you and Gerardo to steal my plane? :D:D Jack |
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Haha just borrowing. ;)
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RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
ORIGINAL: Jack Diaz Pablo, the Rafale doesn't need gyro in the ailerons. It does need it on the rudder (with a lot of gain). Is it my imagination, or am I perceiving some kind of conspiracy between you and Gerardo to steal my plane? :D:D Jack |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
Great to see this thread, I have always been interested in this too. Love the gear on this thing...
I like twins too but has anyone got one flying with a 48-52 lb single? I am enjoying my 200sx in the UB and am looking for a new project for this Fall.... Craig, sounds like yours was great as a single? I was always a little unsure about the canard settings, is that pretty straightforward now? Thanks to everyone who is adding to this thread. Dave |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
It will be great with a single...much simpler
But the twin is just INSANE :D |
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Dave,
I have a single AMT-450 in my Rafale putting out maybe 42-43lbs. It would be awsome with something in the 50lb range. As you can see from this pic, there is tons of room for a single and easy access to the gear. As you mention, the gear is a work of art and nearly bullet proof. The canards are easy to set up...just run them as a mix to the elevator function. They seem to be much less critical in centering and throw than the canards on my Eurosport. FYI, the delta wing has inboard "elevators" and outboard "ailerons". I run them in tandem on each wing as "elvons" which seem to give better high alpha performance. ORIGINAL: ddennison Great to see this thread, I have always been interested in this too. Love the gear on this thing... I like twins too but has anyone got one flying with a 48-52 lb single? I am enjoying my 200sx in the UB and am looking for a new project for this Fall.... Craig, sounds like yours was great as a single? I was always a little unsure about the canard settings, is that pretty straightforward now? Thanks to everyone who is adding to this thread. Dave |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
ORIGINAL: CraigG Dave, I have a single AMT-450 in my Rafale putting out maybe 42-43lbs. It would be awsome with something in the 50lb range. As you can see from this pic, there is tons of room for a single and easy access to the gear. As you mention, the gear is a work of art and nearly bullet proof. The canards are easy to set up...just run them as a mix to the elevator function. They seem to be much less critical in centering and throw than the canards on my Eurosport. FYI, the delta wing has inboard ''elevators'' and outboard ''ailerons''. I run them in tandem on each wing as ''elvons'' which seem to give better high alpha performance. ORIGINAL: ddennison Great to see this thread, I have always been interested in this too. Love the gear on this thing... I like twins too but has anyone got one flying with a 48-52 lb single? I am enjoying my 200sx in the UB and am looking for a new project for this Fall.... Craig, sounds like yours was great as a single? I was always a little unsure about the canard settings, is that pretty straightforward now? Thanks to everyone who is adding to this thread. Dave I just bought the Rafale from a friend of mine in the U.S. This one is almost built by Joe Grice a while ago. In fact the fuse and some other parts are still in the U.S. which i need to get down to India. Which do you thing would be the right engine for the single setup, I have a choice between the AMT NL oly or the jetcentral Mammoth. Behotec too is out with a 220N turbine in a 160 size can, could be a light setup as i have heard she has a heavy wing loading. Would need your help on the elevon setup once i get down on working on the rafale. Thanks Chatty. |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
ORIGINAL: c_makhija Hi Graig, I just bought the Rafale from a friend of mine in the U.S. This one is almost built by Joe Grice a while ago. In fact the fuse and some other parts are still in the U.S. which i need to get down to India. Which do you thing would be the right engine for the single setup, I have a choice between the AMT NL oly or the jetcentral Mammoth. Behotec too is out with a 220N turbine in a 160 size can, could be a light setup as i have heard she has a heavy wing loading. Would need your help on the elevon setup once i get down on working on the rafale. Thanks Chatty. Anything in the 50lb range would be great in the Rafale. Surprisingly, the "wing" loading is not that heavy on this jet since a lot of lift is produced by the fuselage. It will do amazing slow flight/high alpha and slows down for landing even without flaps. The aft gear doors act as speed brakes to help slow it down. If you run the "ailerons" and "elevators" as elvons, it requires quite a few mixes. I will be glad to help with any questions you have. Craig |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
Craig, I never felt a substantial difference between separate ailerons and elevators, versus elevons, during high alpha.
I guess the canards help a lot. Ditto the rudder gyro. I had the mix on a switch so that I was able to put it on of off during the maneuver. Ended up eliminating the mix. |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
Jack, Pablo,
Maybe there will be three twin turbine Rafale's at BITW! I'm going to go ahead and finish mine with two Super Eagles. David S |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
Great news David!!!!
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RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
Hi Tobba,<div>
</div><div>I had a Rafale that I competed with at Top Gun about 12 years ago. It had twin RAM 1000s and it was awesome.</div><div> </div><div>After being out of the Hobby for about 10 years I am back and now own two BVM F4's. One is twin EVF3 powered and the other has a cheetah. The twin placed second at Top Gun this year in the Expert class right behind Jack. I love these F4s.</div><div> </div><div>Both models are very solid flying aircrafts and both are spectactular.</div><div> </div><div>Since my buddy Pablo just bought my old Rafale I guess I'll now have to get another one so I can fly with him, Jack and craig. If I do another one I will definitely go twin!!!!</div><div> </div><div>You will enjoy whichever one you choose.</div><div> </div><div>Rei</div><div> </div><div>PS guys. How do you add images here?</div> |
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THIS IS A MESSAGE FOR MR. BOB VIOLETT: Gentleman: Start your Rafale production again !!!!!! :D :D:D
I am feeling that there will be a Rafale fever after David, Pablo, Gerardo and I do the noon Rafale demo show at BITW. :D (just kidding Joe). I guess the stealing (or borrowing as Pablo puts it) of my Rafale is now official..... Looking forward for the "insane power feeling" again. jack |
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Here is my electric F4.
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Here is my Rafale
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Hello
Here is another option... |
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Guys..
I have to make room for my new jets and would like to sell my BVM Rafale..on RCU item #</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, arial; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; ">848742 complete with a jet cat 180 RTF.</span><span class="Apple-style-span">Please PM if interested</span> |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
ORIGINAL: STAN-CAUSSEL Hello Here is another option... Is this the new one from AD jets, can we have some more details please. Chatty. |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
That's a nice size model in your pic. But there's nothing like buying a proven airframe. Mines is close to 12 years old. I have no fear of flying as hard as I can. But then again that's just my opinion.
Pablo |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
Hi,
The BV Rafale is close to the heart a little because it was the first twin turbine powered model I ever saw fly. Somebody had one at the AZ meet back in '98. It had two Ram 750's in it and was amazing. The fin fluttered on one high-speed pass, and it looked severe enough to have taken the fin off, but it didn't. The pilot landed it and, if I recall, the inspection proved the strength of the airframe in spite of what would have surely taken out a less well built airframe. They flew it again without issue. |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
You probably saw Kent Nogy's Rafale flying with the twin RAM 750s. It was painted in a Red and White JR scheme.
Rei<br type="_moz" /> |
RE: BVM Rafale - flight characteristics
Hi,
Yep, that was the one! |
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I'm thinking about re-painting mine to reflect this Scheme. It's currently painted in the white & red Edwards USAF scheme. Whadday think?:D
I can paint everything except the tail art. That, I'll have to contract out. David S |
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