The Rafale looks like an aircraft should, not like a bunch of bits from multiple manufacturers just bolted together.
The French know how aircraft should look; sexy, curved, aggressive, useful. The Typhoon looks like a bunch of sharp pointy bits glued together.
That airplane, your Rafale or Rachel or whatever you call her, would look a lot prettier without that refueling probe sticking out prominently in the breeze. It's like a big wart on an otherwise pretty woman's face.
Grand Daddy's A-6 has a plumbing pipe like that sticking out. It's old fashioned:
In addition, that pipe, which looks to be close three feet long, probably creates siignificat drag as well as a noticeable humming or buzzing sound which can be heard in the cockpit..
Can't D'Assault devise a retractable refueling probe for the sexy, curved, aggressive Rafale? It would improve her looks.
Last edited by Modern Elmo; 5th Feb 2012 at 01:40.