Frenchman Sylvain Hautier founded Syhart Decals (SY (Sylvain) HA (Hautier) , ART (design)) in 2006 with the aim of recreating in model form the special aircraft paint schemes that have been developed to celebrate anniversaries, participate in Tiger Meets, and for last flights. He also issues decals for regular schemes for lesser-known and unusual air forces for kits that offer limited decal options.

An example is the 1/72 Rafale C, with the kit issued by Revell offering limited choices. Sylvain’s answer has been to release a number of decal sheets for various air forces.

Sheet 72-921 is Rafale "Export versions" (part 3) - Croatia - "Croatian Air Force", and offers enough numerals to reproduce any airframes delivered to the Croatian Air Force in 2024-25, with squadron emblems and unique markings including the unique checkerboard tail. The pack contains two decal sheets, including one with enough stencils for one aircraft, two full-colour instruction sheets and a set of masks for the Rafale’s upper fuselage anti-skid zones as well as for the checkerboard markings if you prefer to paint them rather than using the provided decals. This makes for a package that offers excellent value for money.

Syhart offers resin weapons and accessories for the Rafale in both 1/72 and 1/48, which can be viewed at their website.

The decals are silkscreen printed and look great on the sheets. There is little excess film around the images, and the colours are of good saturation and in perfect register. I’ve used a set of their decals in the past and I recall them being thin and easy to use. For schemes that you really want and won’t find elsewhere, Syhart offers a great package and at very good prices – I highly recommend them!

Syhart Decals are available directly from their website with inexpensive postage, which is free on orders over 80 Euros (around $95), and from many good modelling retailers, especially in Europe, and eBay shops in North America. My thanks to M. Hautier for providing IPMS/USA with the review samples – merci beaucoup, Sylvain!