← Jane's All the World's Aircraft. 1913
Chapter 44
Historical Aircraft
Part B.
In the following pages an attempt has been made to include photographs of all aeroplanes of the past six years, which, for one reason or another, "made history" in their own day.
While many are merely freak machines, which in the light of present knowledge seem ridiculous, the germ of modern practice is to be found in many other aircraft illustrated in this cemetery of dead ideals; and it is worth noting that at least one constructor, who is one of the first in the field to-day, commenced operations with machines which were entirely "freaks."
Austrian.
Belgian.
Brazil.
British.
Danish.
French.
In 1909 the famous Bleriot XI was built. This did very well at Reims, 1909. On 25th July, 1909, Bleriot made the first Cross-Channel flight in the machine illustrated below.
This machine had length, 23 feet (7 m.) Span, 25¾ feet (7.80 m.) Area, 167 sq. feet (15½ m².) Aspect ratio 4½ to 1. Motor, 22-25, 3 cylinder Anzani. Speed, about 45 m.p.h. (73 k.m.) Special features: Fixed wings with rounded edges. Twin elevator and fixed surface tail.