Blériot XI
Blériot · France · first flew 1909 · light aircraft
The Blériot XI is the famous French monoplane in which Louis Blériot made the first aeroplane crossing of the English Channel on 25 July 1909, winning the Daily Mail prize. It was subsequently the most successful early monoplane design in terms of production and export.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.9 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- First aircraft to cross the English Channel, 1909
- Tractor monoplane with wing warping for lateral control
- Rotary or inline engine with distinctive exposed cylinder cooling
An open-framework tractor monoplane with a broad tapered wing using wing warping, a large stabiliser with no separate elevator hinge line visible, and a prominent rotary or three-cylinder fan engine in a minimal cowling.
Specifications
- The Blériot XI has a length of 7.9 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.79 m (26 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 75 km/h (47 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
After Blériot's Channel crossing, the Type XI became a sensation and was ordered by military and civilian customers worldwide. It was used as a trainer and reconnaissance aircraft in the early years of World War I by France, Britain, Italy, and many other nations.
Variants
Numerous sub-variants existed with different engines including the Gnome rotary, Anzani, and various inline units; military variants included the Type XI-2 two-seater.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the air arms of France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Russia, and many others; used for reconnaissance in the early months of WWI before being outclassed by newer types. Shuttleworth's example is the world's oldest airworthy aeroplane.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.