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Bleriot XI

The Bleriot XI The Bleriot XI

Although it looked fragile, the Bleriot XI was structurally strong and had considerable modification potential. It was the first aircraft put to military use by France and Italy in 1910 and subsequently by Britain in 1912. At the start of First World War, the French air force contained eight squadrons of Bleriots and the Royal Flying Corps flew several in France with the expeditionary force. The Italians had Bleriots when they entered the war. A total of 132 were built in five versions.

On July 25, 1909 “England’s isolation ended once and for all” when the aircraft designer Louis Bleriot flew across the English Channel in a Bleriot XI. Lateral control was effected by wing warping and by having the main undercarriage wheels castered so that the aircraft could crab in a crosswind on the ground. This device made all operations on the ground very interesting. The Bleriot XI was the first aircraft used in war when it was flown by the Italian air force during the Italo-Turkish war of 1911.

Museum Example

The museum specimen was built in San Francisco in 1911, either from plans or components. It is believed to be the first California-built, heavier-than-air machine to fly. It was stored in 1911 after a series of accidents, and was purchased by the Museum in 1971.

Specifications

Wing Span:
8.9 m (28 ft 6 in)
Length:
7.8 m (25 ft 2 1/2 in)
Height:
2.5 m (8 ft 4 in)
Weight, Empty:
240 kg (529 lb)
Weight, Gross:
Unknown
Cruising Speed:
90 km/h (56 mph)
Max Speed:
100 km/h (62 mph)
Rate of Climb:
Unknown
Service Ceiling:
Unknown
Range:
300 km (186 mi)
Crew:
one
Power Plant:
one Elbridge Aero Special 60 hp, 4-cylinder, water-cooled engine

Additional Photographs

The Canada Aviation Museum’s Image Bank contains additional photographs of this aircraft. Images are provided for non-commercial study or research purposes only and may not be reproduced or published without the prior consent of the Canada Aviation Museum.

Find out more about our Image bank here.