forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Completed models => Topic started by: Flamingo on February 21, 2026, 08:48:30 PM

Title: Bleriot XI Blue Rider 1/72
Post by: Flamingo on February 21, 2026, 08:48:30 PM

This old model got damaged many years ago and started to loose dihedral without the upper rigging as the wings were butt glued to the fuselage with epoxy glue.
So it spent a long, long time supported by balsa blocks. Finally i started the repair by designing an upside down holder.

Title: Re: Bleriot XI Blue Rider 1/72
Post by: Flamingo on February 21, 2026, 08:56:04 PM

Now it is ready for "service" again.  :)

Title: Re: Bleriot XI Blue Rider 1/72
Post by: Flamingo on February 21, 2026, 09:04:22 PM

Some scans of paper photos from the good old days...
Joachim

Title: Re: Bleriot XI Blue Rider 1/72
Post by: DaddyO on February 21, 2026, 09:23:21 PM

Well isn't that just pretty as a picture  8)

Think I've got one of these kits in the box somewhere, but was slightly put off by the 'flat' section folded brass fuselage. Yours certainly looks much better than I thought it would - any tips?

Paul

Title: Re: Bleriot XI Blue Rider 1/72
Post by: Skyhook on February 22, 2026, 03:46:20 AM

A very beautiful model! Very nice to see it resurrected like that. Fantastic!

Cheers, Skyhook

Title: Re: Bleriot XI Blue Rider 1/72
Post by: lone modeller on February 22, 2026, 04:44:17 AM

Superb restoration. That is a little gem of a model.

Stephen.

Title: Re: Bleriot XI Blue Rider 1/72
Post by: KiwiZac on February 22, 2026, 08:14:33 AM

Lovely work, it looks as good as new - maybe even better!

Title: Re: Bleriot XI Blue Rider 1/72
Post by: NigelR on February 22, 2026, 07:24:33 PM

A lovely restoration, well worth the effort!

Title: Re: Bleriot XI Blue Rider 1/72
Post by: enathan on February 23, 2026, 02:51:02 AM

Very nicely restored Joachim!

Title: Re: Bleriot XI Blue Rider 1/72
Post by: Jorgo on February 23, 2026, 03:48:39 AM

I repeat what I said already 40 years ago : EXCELLENT !!

Greetings Joerg

Title: Re: Bleriot XI Blue Rider 1/72
Post by: Dirigible-Al on February 23, 2026, 04:42:54 AM

That's a really great job Joachim. With so much of its structure exposed or in sight this couldn't have been easy.
Alan.

Title: Re: Bleriot XI Blue Rider 1/72
Post by: Flamingo on February 23, 2026, 06:06:40 PM

Thank you for your nice words, much appreciated!

Still remember the fuselage sides and bottom were disassembled 3 times in boiling water before they were symetrical in height.Wings were scratched from 1.5 mm or 60 thou sheet to get more root but landing wires are imperativ to keep dihedral. Vacformed wing panels have the upper half of the roots rounded meaning less glueing surface.
Cheerio Joachim

Title: Re: Bleriot XI Blue Rider 1/72
Post by: PrzemoL on February 25, 2026, 08:37:19 AM

Beautiful!