Sylvain Hautier started Syhart Decals in 2005. Syhart Decals being derived from SY (Sylvain) HA (Hautier), ART (design), Decal (Decals.).

The are several manufacturers of the 1/72 scale Rafale kit and represent various versions, whether Air Force, Marine or two-seater. These decal sets do not seem to be specific to any one manufacturer.

The decals were presented on bright blue paper that looked very similar to the paper used by several other European decal manufacturers. Most decals on each sheet were sharp and in register, with minimal excess clear film. The printed part of each decal had more of a satin finish, while the excess film was glossy.

The instruction sheets for each set were a work of art! They were in both French and English. I would recommend that the modeler spend a good amount of time reading and getting familiar with the plethora of information and directions the instructions present. The attention to detail that Syhart had clearly put into each decal set was truly outstanding!

Up to five model paint companies and their color number references were listed for each color used on these sets.

• 72 -143 – Rafale C 4-GR “Rafale Solo Display 2021”
• 72 -142 – Rafale C 4-IM “10 ans Rafale Solo Display” 2019/2020
• 72 -152 – Rafale C 4-GY “Rafale Solo Display 2024”72-143

Cost

• 72 -143 – Rafale C 4-GR “Rafale Solo Display 2021”
• 72 -142 – Rafale C 4-IM “10 ans Rafale Solo Display” 2019/2020
• 72 -152 – Rafale C 4-GY “Rafale Solo Display 2024”

72 -143 – Rafale C 4-GR "Rafale Solo Display 2021"

This decal set was simply stunning!!! It comprised of three decal sheets for the design and aircraft stencils, a masking sheet for walkway anti slip areas as well as masks to paint an area at the rear fuselage white. A cover sheet showed the four sides of the aircraft, while turning the page over showed how and where to apply the anti-skid masks. A separate fold out, A4 sheet showed detailed decal placement and also the rear fuselage masking areas. Applying the complex decal scheme actually looked fairly straight forward while following the instructions. One thing I did notice on this set was that the blue center circle in the middle of the French Roundels ever so slightly off center. I didn’t think these would detract from using them with how busy the rest of the marking looked. It certainly did not warrant requesting replacement decals.

72 -142 – Rafale C 4-IM "10 ans Rafale Solo Display" 2019/2020

Here was another gorgeous paint scheme of the French Rafale. The set consisted of one decal sheet, an extensive masking set and three A4 sized instruction sheets printed on both sides. One sheet detailed area’s to be painted gloss gold and gloss black. The other sheets detailed decal placement, and step by step decal and mask application guidelines. Lots of intricate masking and preparation would be needed to achieve a fabulous looking model.

72 -152 – Rafale C 4-GY "Rafale Solo Display 2024"

For the 2024 Solo display, a very patriotic French flag scheme was painted on this Rafale. Included in this set were two decal sheets, one for the blue, white and red paint job and the other smaller sheet for the aircraft stencils. A masking sheet was included to paint parts of the Rafale behind the canopy silver, plus walkway area’s each side of the cockpit. An A4 sized sheet showed plan views of areas to paint white, with dotted lines indicating where decals would lay over the painted surfaces. The other side of this sheet detailed where all the decals would go.

These three sheets were more examples of the fabulous offerings from Syhart Decals.

As daunting as these sets look at first glance, and the vast and detailed presentation within the instruction sheets, I don’t think achieving a spectacular looking model would be out of reach from any intermediate to experienced modeler.

I would very much like to thank Sylvain from Syhart Decals and the IPMS USA team for trusting me to review these decal sets.