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Ingenium Canada Aviation and Space Museum

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Blériot XI

Hours and Location

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Monday
Address
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON
Admission
Browse all Visitor Information for Canada Aviation and Space Museum
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Blériot XI

Blériot XI

Highlights:

  • A single-engine monoplane designed and built in 1908 by pioneering French aviators Louis Blériot and Raymond Saulnier
  • Featured wings covered in linen, and an oak and poplar structure
  • First aircraft to be put to military use by France and Italy (1910) and Britain (1912)
  • Flown by Louis Blériot when he made the first airplane flight across the English Channel, on July 25, 1909
  • Became one of the first aircraft used in wartime when flown by the Italian army during the Italo–Turkish war in 1911
  • First flight was on January 23, 1909

Image Gallery:

CASM-11136

CASM-1935

CASM-4937

History:

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.

Current Location:

Pioneer Era Exhibition, Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Provenance:

Purchase

The Museum's Blériot was built, from locally-available plans, by California Aero Manufacturing and Supply Company (San Francisco) in 1911, for John W. Hamilton. It is believed to be the first California-built airplane to fly.

Following a series of accidents, the aircraft was placed in storage in 1911. James Nissen and J. Mathiesen of San Jose, California purchased it in 1953. Between 1953 and 1971, the aircraft was partially restored and was displayed at several air shows across Southern California. The Museum acquired it in 1971.

Technical Information:

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

Blériot XI

AVIATION
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Artifact No.
1971.0681
Manufacturer
California Aeroplane Manufacturing and Supply Company
Manufacturer Location
United States
Manufacture Date
1911
Acquisition Date
1971
  • View all the collection highlights at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
  • View other collection highlights related to Aviation

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About Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Located on a former military air base just five kilometers from the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum focuses on aviation in Canada within an international context – from its beginnings in 1909 to today.
Read more about the museum

Contact Us

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa ON K1K 2X5
Canada

613-991-3044
1-866-442-4416
contact@IngeniumCanada.org
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  • Plan Your Visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Hours
    • Admission
    • Location and Directions
    • Accessibility
    • Browse All Visitor Information
    • Buy Tickets
    • Online Resources for Science at Home
    • About the Museum
  • What's On at the Museum
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Flights and Simulations
    • Spaces and Studios
  • Bookings and Rentals
    • School Programs
    • Summer Camps
    • Venue Rentals
    • Travelling Exhibitions
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Group Visits
    • Birthday Parties
  • Educational Programs
    • School Programs
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Program Location
      • At the Museum
      • At your School
      • Online
      • Browse all Educational Programs
    • Popular Links
      • 3D Educational Resources
      • Digital Learning Kits
      • Games and Apps
      • Online Resources for Science at Home
      • Try This Out
  • Collection and Research
    • Research Institute
    • Research Projects
    • Collection Resources
      • Ingenium Collection
      • Collection Highlights
      • Conservation and Collection Services
    • Library and Archives
      • Library and Archives Services
      • Library Catalogue
      • Digital Archives
    • Open Access
      • Ingenium APIs
      • Open Data
      • Open Documents
  • Projects and Initiatives
    • Ingenium Channel
    • The Legacy Series
    • Let's Talk Energy