Now that there are a few weekends at home after the July rush I am busy sorting out all the photos into average, bad, very bad and OMG…. One aircraft that has got me thinking is the Rafale from RIAT. Did anyone else notice it was covered with little white dots. I think its the sort of thing you see on a prototype with wool on the ends for flow data. Is this a digital form of this or does anyone else know what they are……..:confused:
By: pegasus911 - 9th August 2013 at 10:29
I asked the same question on the Military Aircraft thread, C-Seven replied with the following;
“As far as I know they are indeed to verify the geometry of the plane using vision devices.
Those dots disappear after a while and if they are there it means that the plane went out of production line not a long time ago.
If I’m not mistaken the 113-GT is the Rafale C n°141 equipped with the AESA and it’s a new one.”
Its amazing how much information is in a photograph, once you have time to study them you always find something lurking in one or two that get the little grey cells doing overtime…..
Post your other shots Growler, would love to see them.
By: Growler - 9th August 2013 at 09:47
Thanks, I was thinking of popping a few on a new thread.
Might the dots be to do with formation flying after dark? Possibly LED lit or glow-in-the-dark.
By: pegasus911 - 8th August 2013 at 22:06
Nice shots on Flicker Growler.
By: Growler - 8th August 2013 at 20:38
I must admit I hadn’t noticed it, but now you mention it……. here’s my shot of the Rafale taking off and the dots are clearly visible on the fuselage and tail.
RIAT 2013 – Dassault Rafale. by The Guitarsmith, on Flickr
By: PhilEAF92 - 6th August 2013 at 00:58
Its a microdot security system, so if the jet gets stolen the French police can return it to its rightful owner (well after they have had a nap of course).
They have to be that big because all the information is contained in a miserable poem, with really big letters.
Sign In
August 2, 2013 at 7:44 pm