Blériot XI

[No.1]

By 1909, aviation pioneer Louis Blériot had already tried 10 different airplane designs-from biplanes to tandem planes. But all these projects were unsuccessful. Success came to Blériot with the Blériot XI, created by a team of engineers led by Raymond Saulnier.

Bleriot's eleventh aeroplane was a small monoplane. The rectangular fuselage and wing were covered with canvas. It was equipped with various engines. With a 25 hp Anzani engine, it reached speeds of up to 75.6 km/h.

The Blériot XI was the most successful monoplane built before the First World War. In addition to France, it was produced in Italy and Russia. About 100 aircraft were produced. It was on the Blériot XI that Louis Blériot first crossed the English Channel on 25 July 1909.

[modellius]

superb pictures mate !

[No.1]

[No.1]

The personnel of one of the units of the French Air Force watch as a Catholic priest consecrates a brand-new Blériot XI aircraft. Pervayamirovaya, 1915. Next to the priest, most likely, is the future pilot of this airplane. The practice of consecrating military equipment was widespread in those years, because it was believed that it would be used for good purposes — to protect their country.

Despite the fact that the Blériot XI made its first flight 5 years before the start of the war, it has not lost its relevance. In the early stages of the war, 8 French, 6 British and 6 Italian squadrons were equipped with this type of aircraft. The Blériot XI was mainly used for aerial reconnaissance and pilot training, as well as as light bombers.