Pyro Bleriot XI

[JoeDxMB]

Thanks  guys 

BTW Zabu,  I won that MS type L kit
No one else bid on it and it was a great price.
It  will be my next build..... another WWI aircraft ..... finally.    

[JoeDxMB]

It's finally completed! 
No, it's not perfect but, I'm happy with it considering the low detail  of the old kit.
 
Now, on to my Morane Saulnier type L. 

   

[Zabu]

Hi Joe.

Your Bleriot it's a very beautiful sight. Your right in being happy!

I'm glad that you won the MS. Hope to see more from it.

Cheers

[JoeDxMB]

Thanks. 

I have  to decide what version  of the MS-L that i want to buld as it has PE parts for about 3  versions.
It has  more PE parts than plastic parts and I  first have to decipher the instructions.
 
Anyway, it will no be a quick build  but,  once I get stared it will hopefully go relativly easy if not quick.
I may take a break from it on occasion (to regain or keep my sanity) by working  on a J-3 Cub that  I have.   

[coyotemagic]

She's absolutely gorgeous, Joe.  You did a brilliant job on the rigging.
Cheers,
Bud

[Des]

Congratulation Joe on completing this model, you have done a beautiful job with superb results, the rigging is excellent, very well done and I look forward to seeing your MS.

Des.

[Ernie]

Well done on the Bleriot, Joe. Superb job.

Cheers,
Ernie

[Whiteknuckles]

Nicely turned out Joe, great job.
Looking forward to your MS-L

Andrew

[Ssasho0]

It really turned out great! I definately like it

Best regards,
Sasho

[GAJouette]

  Joe,
Congratulations my old friend. Absolutely Awesome!
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[JoeDxMB]

Thank you all.

[Rob Hart]

Joe,

I completely missed this one. Excellent work on the rigging. You are a wiz with these pre war crates. How similar to the clipped wing  'Penguin' trainers was this aircraft?

[JoeDxMB]

Thanks Rob.

BTW, the simulated turnbuckles are just tubes I got from "Bob".
Then, darkened a bit with a little Tamiya weathering  powder.   

I do not know too much about the "Penguin" but they do look similar.

[lone modeller]

Excellent modelling and rigging. Interesting to see someone else use metal for the wires especially on one of these very early machines which are not easy to use thread on.

I am not an authority on French machines (or British either) but the Penguin had a 35hp Anzani engine and a shorter span wing: 18 feet 6 inches whereas the XI was 31 feet 9 inches. They were used as trainers at Avord, France where the "Bleriot School" of training was used. The student pilots gained experience by taxiing and racing back and forth at between 30 - 40 mph along the grass field to allow them to get a feel for longitudinal and lateral stability. When the instructor was happy with the student he was allowed to get into a full sized machine and repeated the Penguin lesson. Only when the instructor gave the command did the student pilot actually take off and then he had to hold the machine a few feet above the ground and fly in a straight line. When this skill was mastered the student was allowed to fly a little higher and for a little longer until he was ready to complete a three leg cross country flight of 225 km per leg, stopping at the end of each leg to refuel and collect a signature. This was an advanced system at a time when student pilots in other schools would stand on the ground while another student would fly around the airfield with the instructor on the ground shouting instructions as the aeroplane passed over!  The other student pilots on the ground were supposed to listen to the instructor too!!

   Although the Bleriot school had many accidents they had few casualties because the speeds were low and the steps were gradual and a handful of instructors could train a large number of pilots. This system was in use in 1914 and it could take up to five months to fully train a pilot. Later this time was reduced. It should be remembered that the RFC lost more pilots killed in training than in combat: when two-seat trainers were not available the Bleriot system proved to be relatively safe and effective.