For the most part this section and the models contained in it are just for wargaming eye candy. There is no real or realistic need to place a model of a jet or helicopter striking from long range on the table. Their effects are represented by generic in-game rules, but I like the completeness that they bring to the force.... and there is the outside possibility that they might, for some reason, appear in some other state in the game. The transports, on the other hand, will almost certainly be on-board in games.
The camouflaged helicopters were painted by me, using the exact same paints and techniques as I used on the vehicles.
THE HELICOPTERS:
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SA 330 Puma
(QRF)
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The Aerospatiale SA 330 Puma is a medium transport helicopter, carrying up to 16 passengers, flown by the French Army. It can also operate as a gunship, mounting a 20mm cannon from the side door. It is fast and durable, being able to operate fully loaded, with just one operational engine. There are increasingly less numbers in operation with the NHIndustries NH90 replacing it.
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| AS565 Panther (Italeri) |
The French Navy operates the Eurocopter AS565 Panther as a medium utility helicopter. It is capable of carrying 10 troops and can operate from carrier and frigate flight decks. These are repainted Italeri diecast Dauphin (the near-identical civilian version) helicopters.
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SA 341/342 Gazelle
(Battlefront Miniatures)
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The venerable Aerospatiale SA 341/342 Gazelle is a light helicopter used for scouting, attack and light transport. It has been deployed in nearly every French engagement since the 1980s. The French Army operates it primarily in scouting and attack roles. Armaments include rockets, HOT ATGMs, 20mm cannon or minigun.
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Eurocopter Tigre
(Italeri)
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The Eurocopter EC665 Tigre is multinational attack helicopter used by the French Army. It is armed with a 30mm cannon in the chin turret and the wing hardpoints can carry combinations of rockets, ATGMs, autocannon pods, and air-to-air missiles. Introduced in 2003, it has been deployed to many regions and involved in combat in Afghanistan (2009), Libya (2011) and Mali (2013).
Interestingly, the Tigre made it's film debut long before it's actual introduction. A prototype version was provided for the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye for use as the high-tech stealth helicopter featured in the film.
This was an Italeri diecast model of the German EC655 Tiger that I repainted to French colors. The German version lacks the integrated gun turret, but I attached a barrel under the chin to help create the illusion of one. I also moved the optical system from above the rotor head to the top of the helicopter, as all pictures I've seen of the French Tigre have it located there.
THE JETS:
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| Mirage 2000 D (Italeri) |
The Dassault Mirage 2000D is the conventional ground attack version of the Mirage 2000N (the nuclear strike variant of the multirole Mirage 2000). The delays in the Dassault Rafale led to the development of the 2000D which entered service in 1995. It has a crew of 2 and mounts a combination of rockets, missiles or bombs on it's 9 hardpoints.
This is a Italeri diecast model of a French Air Force (the only operator) Mirage 2000D. For my purposes nothing needed to be changed, so I left it as is.
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Rafale M
(Italeri)
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The Dassault Rafale M is the carrier version of the Rafale for the French Naval Aviation. Starting in 2008 the F3 standard was implemented equipping the Rafale to engage in air-to-ground operations. It serves as a multirole fighter and with 13 hardpoints can carry bombs and missiles (including nuclear) as well as it's 30mm autocannon.
Again, this is an Italeri model that required no changes by me for usage.
The French Air Force, Army and Navy operate a wide variety of aircraft and helicopters. These are ones that I could find affordable models of (most will exist simply for photos) and definitively tie into my operations around Africa.
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