Ten years ago I built a 13" rubber-powered free-flight Bleriot XXVI. This film documents its build, along with the first trim session in Pine Forge, PA. Designed, built & flown by Tom Hallman. Filmed with a Canon PowerShot SX20 & iPhone 6s. Music via the talented musicians at artist.io, who breathe life into my films.

Bleriot XXVI plan by Tom Hallman: http://hallmanstudio.com/BleriotXXVI_...
Bleriot XXV plan by Don Srull: http://hallmanstudio.com/BleriotXXV_p...

Model specs:
Weight: 18.29g (without ballast & motor peg)
Span: 12.87"
Length: 15"
Wing area: 100 sq. in.
Prop: 6" light balsa blades, with ramp type free-wheeler - .89g
Motor: 2 loops of .101" x 36" - hook to peg length - 10" - 10.65g
Wheel and basic, blue foam engine shape built by Enrique Maltz.
Wheel made from 2 lams of the base of a styrofoam bowl.
Wheel: .24g
Gnome engine: .71g
Model includes 6.5 feet of rigging thread. Covered with Micro-X tissue.
Balance point: The start of front curve of the cockpit opening.
Building time: 45 days

Original aircraft info: Original aircraft received a Belgian patent in May of 1911, and was completed by September of the same year, although it appears to have never flown. No photos of the aircraft have surfaced, just the original patent 3-view, which shows that the aircraft intended to have a singular, retractable landing gear, with seven soft pads or skids under the lower wing.

Original Bleriot XXVI patent & 2-view: http://hallmanstudio.com/BleriotXXVI_...

*** 10 steps to trimming a rubber model, by John Koptonak: http://www.flyingacesclub.com/PFFT/Tr...

Also, these tutorials from Easy Built Models: https://easybuiltmodels.com/tips.htm#...

Here's a source for rubber: https://www.faimodelsupply.com/produc...

Article on the use of dethermalizers: http://www.hallmanstudio.com/DT.pdf
Badge Classic DT & spring (at the bottom of the page): http://www.starlink-flitetech.com/tim...

Looking for a Flying Aces Club near you? Check out this link: http://flyingacesclub.com/wp/about-th... If you click on the map at the area closest to you, it will automatically bring up an information request link. That request goes to FAC GHQ and also to the Squadron Commander of record for that squadron.

Geneseo FAC Nats Journals from 2016 & 2018: http://www.maxfliart.com

For more info on free-flight rubber-powered models, check these websites:
https://brooklyn-balsa.square.site
http://www.easybuiltmodels.com/
http://www.volareproducts.com/BUY/
http://www.flyingacesclub.com
National Free Flight Society - https://freeflight.org/
Mike Stuart's Flying Scale Models - http://www.ffscale.co.uk/
https://www.freeflightsupplies.co.uk

Flying Aces Club merchandise: https://www.cafepress.com/flyingacesclub
All profits support Flying Aces Club activities.
Center of Gravity merchandise: https://www.cafepress.com/centergravity