ELECTRICS
A MUSEUM-QUALITY BLÉRIOT
By Terry Dunn | terrydunn74@gmail.com
ONE OF MY FAVORITE ASPECTS of writing this column is that I get to share some really incredible electric aircraft projects. I think that you will appreciate the model being featured this month as well. It is a meticulously detailed rendition of the Blériot XI.
Brief History of the Blériot XI
Most aviation enthusiasts know the Blériot XI as the first aircraft to cross the English Channel. This occurred in 1909 at the hands of Louis Blériot, the airplane’s co-designer and pilot. The Frenchman’s historic feat ignited a storm of enthusiasm for aviation and resulted in many orders for his pioneer-era monoplane. More than 100 examples of the Blériot XI were built for private owners and militaries around the world.
During its five-year production run, numerous variants of the Blériot XI were developed. A wide range of engines were utilized across the fleet, some with more success than others. These different Blériot XI variants also represented changes in the tail surfaces, tail wheel, fuselage construction, and more. Some versions even had an additional seat to accommodate a passenger.
One of the more notable private owners of a Blériot XI was Harriet Quimby. Harriet was the first licensed female pilot in the US. She performed at numerous air meets and exhibitions, wearing a distinctive purple flying suit. In 1912, Harriet piloted her Blériot XI across the English Channel—she was the first female pilot to do so. She became a role model and an inspiration for women around the globe. Tragically, Harriet and her passenger were killed just a few months later while flying a two-seat Blériot at an event near Boston.
Modern Blériots
A handful of original Blériot XI airframes survive today. Some are even airworthy! The Blériot XI owned by the Shuttleworth Collection in England is the oldest airworthy aircraft of any type in the world. The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York is home to another Blériot XI that is often flown during their summer air shows.
The Blériot XI is also a popular subject for those who build full-scale flying replicas. One such replica is currently under construction by Gary Karner in Brodhead, Wisconsin. Gary is using genuine Blériot drawings for his project.
Wendell Hottmann, of Madison, Wisconsin, is a friend of Gary and an avid RC modeler. Seeing Gary’s full-scale replica inspired Wendell to build an RC Blériot XI
for himself. No detail was to be spared.
Wendell’s first step was to downsize the original drawings. Approximately 10 months later, the Blériot model was ready to take flight. It would be easy to mistake this masterpiece for a static museum model.
As Wendell described his building process to me, I was struck by the steps that he took to recreate every nuance of the Blériot XI design. The complex, articulating main landing gear is a focal point on this model. He used a combination of brass tubing, springs, bungee cord, and other custom parts to create the landing gear and the wire-spoked wheels. It is equal parts engineering and artistry.
Analysis of the rear fuselage provides additional examples of Wendell’s obsession with detail. Obviously, this spruce structure emulates the basic layout that is indicated on the plans. Closer inspection reveals that every crossmember and upright has been meticulously carved and sanded into a streamlined shape, as also seen on full-scale Blériot XIs.
An even deeper dive shows that Wendell faithfully recreated the spider web of wire bracing that strengthens the fuselage and wings. He even fabricated the unique U-shaped bolts that are used to join every junction of the wooden structure and serve as anchors for the wire bracing. The stained and varnished finish on the wood is true to the full-scale aircraft as well.
Old Meets New
As you would suspect, Wendell used many traditional modeling techniques to create his Blériot XI. The wings employ balsa ribs covered with Planetex fabric covering from Balsa USA. He first applied Sig Stix-It adhesive to the structure. The covered areas were then sealed with Deluxe Materials Eze-Kote.
What you might find surprising is that he also used numerous modern building techniques. For instance, the wings are rigidized using carbon-fiber spars. Additionally, all of the tail-surface control horns were fabricated from laser-cut brass. I didn’t even know that it is possible to laser-cut brass!
My favorite example of a modern technique utilized by Wendell involves the contoured panels on the fuselage turtle deck around the engine. These panels were fabricated using thin sheet aluminum that was shaped over 3D-printed plastic molds. The end result is very impressive.
The pilot figure in Wendell’s Blériot XI pays tribute to Harriet. It is a Barbie doll dressed in her trademark purple flying outfit. The clothes are custom pieces that
ELECTRICS
were sewn by Jodie Rush, the wife of Wendell’s clubmate, David Rush.
Wendell’s completed model spans 60 inches, making it approximately 1/5 scale. It has a flying weight of 4 pounds. The model has four-channel control using rudder, elevator, throttle, and wing warping. The Blériot’s power system consists of a Hacker A30-10L brushless motor with a 12-inch propeller and a two-cell 4,000 mAh LiPo battery.
The maiden flight occurred in the summer of 2024. A mishap resulted in minor damage to the airframe. Wendell intends to repair that damage and have the Blériot airworthy again in the spring of 2025. I look forward to seeing this amazing model in person.
Wrapping Up
My thanks to Wendell for sharing the details of his incredible project. I encourage the rest of you to let me know of any other electric models out there that deserve some time in the spotlight.
For anyone interested in learning more about Harriet, I will pass on Wendell’s recommendation of the book Fearless: Harriet Quimby A Life Without Limit by Don Dahler. I am currently in the middle of reading (and enjoying) it. No spoilers!
SOURCES:
Balsa USA
(800) 225-7287
https://balsausa.com
Deluxe Materials
sales@deluxematerials.co.uk
www.deluxematerials.com
Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
(845) 752-3200
www.oldrhinebeck.org
Shuttleworth Collection
enquiries@shuttleworth.org
www.shuttleworth.org
Sig Mfg. Co., Inc.
(847) 257-7491
www.sig mfg.com
Fearless: Harriet Quimby A Life Without Limit
By Don Dahler, June 14, 2022
Princeton Architectural Press
(800) 759-0190
www.papress.com/products/fearless
