Blackburn Type I
Blackburn Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1913 · light aircraft
The Blackburn Type I was an early two-seat monoplane built by the Blackburn Aeroplane Company for flying training and demonstration, unusual for choosing a mid-wing monoplane layout when biplanes dominated the era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.69 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Early mid-wing monoplane, unusual for 1913 when most types were biplanes
- Open two-seat cockpit
- Built as both a wheeled landplane and a float-equipped seaplane trainer
Its mid-mounted monoplane wing sets it apart from the far more common biplane trainers of 1913; seaplane-fitted examples added twin floats in place of wheels.
Specifications
- The Blackburn Type I has a length of 8.69 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.58 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 113 km/h (70 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The first example flew at Lofthouse Park, Leeds, on 14 August 1913, ordered by Blackburn Flying School student Dr M.G. Christie; three were built in total, used both on wheels and as seaplane trainers.
Variants
Landplane and float-equipped seaplane versions were both flown, reflecting Blackburn's early interest in both training and naval aviation markets.
Where you'll see it
It gained local fame by winning a sponsored 100-mile race against a Lancashire-built Avro 504 in October 1913, the 'War of the Roses' air race, but production remained tiny before war intervened.
Related aircraft
- Blackburn Type L
- Blackburn Kangaroo
- Blackburn Dart
- Blackburn R.2 Airedale
- 504
- Avro 511
- Caudron Type G
- Farman MF.9
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