THE BLERIOT MONOPLANE.
The Bleriot monoplane has the distinction of being the first wholly successful flying machine. Although the Wright machine was making flights years before the Bleriot had been built, it was still dependent upon a starting device to enable it to leave the ground. That is, the Wright machine was not complete in itself, and was entirely helpless at even a short distance from its starting tower, rail, and car, which it was unable to carry along. Because of its completeness, M. Bleriot was able to drive his machine from Toury to Artenay, France (a distance of 8¾ miles) on October 31, 1908, make a landing, start on the return trip, make a second landing, and again continue his journey back to Toury, all under his own unassisted power. This feat was impossible to the Wright machine as it was then constructed, thus leaving the Bleriot monoplane in undisputed pre-eminence in the history of aviation.
A Bleriot monoplane, “No. XI,” in flight.
At a little distance, where the details of construction are not visible, the Bleriot machine has the appearance of a gigantic bird. The sustaining surface, consisting of a single plane, is divided into two wings made of a stiff parchment-like material, mounted one on each side of a framework of the body, which is built of mahogany and whitewood trussed with diagonal ties of steel wire.
The main plane has a lateral spread of 28 feet and a depth of 6 feet, and is rounded at the ends. It has an area of about 150 square feet, and is slightly concave on the under side. The tail-plane is 6 feet long and 2 feet 8 inches in depth; at its ends are the elevators, consisting of pivoted wing tips each about 2 feet 6 inches square with rounded extremities. The rudder for steering to left or right is mounted at the extreme rear end of the body, and has an area of 9 square feet.
The Bleriot “No. XII.,” showing new form of tail, and the complete encasing with fabric.
The body is framed nearly square in front and tapers to a wedge-like edge at the rear. It extends far enough in front of the main plane to give room for the motor and propeller. The seat for the pilot is on a line with the rear edge of the main plane, and above it. The forward part of the body is enclosed with fabric.
Forward chassis of Bleriot monoplane, showing caster mounting of wheels. The framing of the body is shown by the dotted lines.
The machine is mounted on three wheels attached to the body: two at the front, with a powerful spring suspension and pivoted like a caster, and the other rigidly at a point just forward of the rudders.
The lateral balance is restored by warping the tips of the main plane; if necessary, the elevator tips at the rear may be operated to assist in this. All the controls are actuated by a single lever and a drum to which the several wires are attached.
Diagram of Bleriot “No. XI.,” from the rear. A, A, main plane; B, tail; C, body; D, D, wing tips of tail; E, rudder; H, propeller; M, motor; O, axis of wing tips; R, radiator; a, a, b, b, spars of wings; h, h, guy wires; p, k, truss.
The motors used on the Bleriot machines have varied in type and power. In the “No. XI.,” with which M. Bleriot crossed the English Channel, the motor was a 3-cylinder Anzani engine, developing 24 horse-power at 1,200 revolutions per minute. The propeller was of wood, 2-bladed, and 6 feet 9 inches in diameter. It was mounted directly on the shaft, and revolved at the same speed, giving the machine a velocity of 37 miles per hour. This model has also been fitted with a 30 horse-power R-E-P (R. Esnault-Pelterie) motor, having 7 cylinders. The heavier type “No. XII.” has been fitted with the 50 horse-power Antoinette 8-cylinder engine, or the 7-cylinder rotating Gnome engine, also of 50 horse-power.
Sketches showing relative size, construction, and position of pilot in the Bleriot machines; “No. XI.” (the upper), and “No. XII.” (the lower).
The total weight of the “No. XI.” monoplane is 462 pounds, without the pilot.