Bleriot XI in 1:32 scale

[Des]

I managed to fit the main undercarriage tonight, once the glue had set it ended up as being quite a strong assembly. I still need to do some more work on the main support arms but this willbe a little fiddly. As you can see the wheels are very narrow so I had to find narrow O Rings for the tyres.

Des.

[IFF1418]

Des, these wheels are really great! I'm looking forward to see the wings installed. Amazing build!

Kind regards
Patrick

[Ian from Doncaster]

Unbelievable work Des, and at such a terrific pace too..

[bobs_buckles]

I can see you're enjoying yourself with this build, Des 
That makes two of us!

VB

[lcarroll]

I can see you're enjoying yourself with this build, Des 
That makes two of us!

VB

    Make it three or more. We could call this one "The Incredible Journey", what a pleasure to follow!
Cheers,
Lance

[RAGIII]

The wheels and tires are excellent! This continues to be another AMAZING build!
RAGIII

[Nigel Jackson]

Des, the way you build it I'd almost trust this Bleriot  to get me across La  Manche (the English Channel) - though I would need scaling down a bit.

What I like so much about your scratch work is that despite the challenges, you always give such a commanding sense of vision.  For me, this makes the Spinne and this Bleriot much more than the beautiful individual parts and sub-assemblies.

Best wishes
Nigel

[Ernie]

Sitting on it's wheels, the Bleriot is really starting to look the business Des.  It
is such a pleasure taking a close look at your stunning efforts.  More, please.

Cheers,
Ernie

[coyotemagic]

I've said this before, but what I love about your models is the way you manage to explain visually how the original works, instead of say, making a scale impression of "busy-ness and complexity". There is a big difference between the two. Case in point is the forward undercarriage here. By choosing springs instead of bungees, and the careful way you have arranged and colored the components, it is utterly clear how this contraption worked -- more so than even looking at a photo of the real thing.

Super.

I agree wholeheartedly with Bo on this, Des.  This is why I always refer to your builds when working on mine.  It's the next best thing to detailed walk-around photos of the real thing.
Cheers,
Bud

[Des]

Thanks very much guys for all the very kind comments, they are much appreciated.

I have added the bottom rigging frame, it was made from four lengths of 0.8mm brass tube. I also fitted the wing warping actuating arm and the two pulleys for the warping cables. Hard to see here but I fitted the two anti shimmy shock springs to the undercarriage. The paper wrapped around the fuselage is there to protect the paint while I man handle the model, stops the paint getting dirty.

Des.

[Andi Little]

Ruddy marvellous ....................... I can't think of anything else to put! Not that would do this justice. When one has run out of superlatives there's only weapons grade Anglo-Saxon left left! ... And I do believe we're about at that point.

[IanB]

Just think of all the work you could have saved by modelling this as it appeared AFTER arriving in Dover! 
I see you're leaving the most fun part until last - threading the tail surface control cables through the interior to the tail fittings.. 

Great work Des!

Ian

[pepperman42]

More stunning work Des. This is a joy to watch!!

Steve

[ALBATROS1234]

thats looking like a bleriot replica to me. very very nice stuff des.

[Zabu]

Superb Des.