Dave,
I didn't realise blade element method went back as far as 1939. That paper ranks right up there with the paper by Doris Cohen explaining the origins of vortex panel method as applied to P45 Mustang!
The biggest difference between theory and practice is the distortion of inflow that results from ingested air passing over other blade elements first, and the distortion of outflow from fuselage/empennage. I'm going to try to account for both in my code once it starts to take shape. I briefly had the cyclic trimming to requested flight speed and climb last week - but it is early days and results are not always stable. Unfortunately my weekends are being gobbled up currently, since i am doing one last surge to get my phys degree finished.
