You might see it if you are walking in the 15th district of Paris, a bit further down the street from the Hexagone Balard military base. This Dassault Rafale C01, a historical piece in the world of aviation, was in fact the first prototype of the whole Rafale family. You can tell it was a special aircraft right away. For a long time, this Dassault Rafale C01 was sporting a stealth black livery, making it a truly distinct plane in the sky. This prototype flew hundreds of hours, testing everything from the jet engines to the cockpit controls, paving the way for the modern Rafale we see today. Unfortunately, it was repainted in a generic grey colour when it was moved to the Balard military base in Paris. Some fans of aviation protested this change, saying it stripped the plane of its identity and made it unrecognizable. But, despite the controversy, the Dassault Rafale C01 remains a remarkable piece of history, a testament to the evolution of military aircraft in France.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.