Heritage Rafale

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Escadron de Chasse 3/30 Lorraine (EC03.030) of the Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace, (AAE, French Air and Space Force), its personnel decided to give one of their Rafale C fighters a heritage livery.

The unit, which is nowadays based at BA118 Mont-de-Marsan, has a history that goes back to the early days of the Second World War. Already in September 1940, French pilots and airmen left Britain to join the French forces present in Equatorial Africa and the Middle East. One month later Groupe Réservé de Bombardement no. 1 (GRB1) was formed. This unit later became the Lorraine Bombardment Group.

This French air military unit of the Free French Air Forces distinguished itself in North Africa and Western Europe.

To commemorate the heritage of their predecessors, EC03.030 has chosen to give their Rafale C 132/30-GK the livery of a Bristol Blenheim bomber as it was flown during the North Africa campaign.

Photo: EC3.30(@dewey)