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).