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1909 Blériot XI (replica)
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Description
The Bleriot XI is the rare aircraft used in both the civil and military markets. The airplane gained international fame when Louis Bleriot became the first person to fly the English Channel in 1909. At the time, many people thought the only potentially safe planes had two wings and the engine behind the pilot. Bleriot’s flight proved an airplane with one wing and a front-mounted engine could compete with the biplanes.
Bleriot, already a successful auto parts manufacturer,…
The Bleriot XI is the rare aircraft used in both the civil and military markets. The airplane gained international fame when Louis Bleriot became the first person to fly the English Channel in 1909. At the time, many people thought the only potentially safe planes had two wings and the engine behind the pilot. Bleriot’s flight proved an airplane with one wing and a front-mounted engine could compete with the biplanes.
Bleriot, already a successful auto parts manufacturer, then successfully sold airplanes to the wealthy and to European governments. In 1910, the French and Italian militaries were the first to purchase the aircraft. In 1912, the British started their Royal Flying Corps with the French-designed Bleriot XI.
The Italians became the first nation to use an airplane in war. During their the Italo-Turkish War (1911-1912), the Italians used Bleriots and Etrich Taubes to bomb Turkish forces and establish colonies in North Africa. However, the war also exposed weaknesses in the Ottoman Empire and Italy that would cause problems for both nations during World War I.
When World War I began in 1914, the French Air Force had eight squadrons of Bleriots for reconnaissance and training. Many other nations still began the war with the Bleriot as their primary military aircraft. New combat aircraft designs were rushed into production. These new planes were produced by companies like Sopwith, Nieuport, and the Royal Aircraft Factory, whose aircraft are seen elsewhere in the museum. By 1915, the Bleriot remained in militaries for training new pilots.
Harry Provolt built this replica in 1956 for the film The Lafayette Escadrille.
Year:
1956
Creator:
Harry Provolt
Location Created:
California