Blériot XI

Blériot XI - 1914
Blériot XI

At the outbreak of war,the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) brought twenty-three Blériot XI's with them into France along with its expeditionary force; they served as reconnossaince aircraft with six RFC squadrons. The French Service de l'Aviation also furnished Bleriots to eight of their escadrilles, and Italy went into action with their own previously acquired Blériot XI's in six squadrons.

Blériot XI
  • Wingspan: 34 ft. 10 in.
  • Length: 38 ft.
  • Weight: 816 lbs.
  • Powerplant: 1× Gnome air cooled 7 cylinder radial, 50 hp (37 kW)
  • Crew: 1
  • Armament: none

References

  1. Munson, Kenneth - "Bombers, Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft 1914 - 1919" ISBN 0 7537 0918 X
  2. Crouch, Tom D. "Blériot XI: The Story of a Classic Aircraft". Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1982.
  3. "Blériot XI 1911" AVIA book Original french book with characteristics and specifications

Farman Biplane

Farman Biplane
Farman Biplane

Designed by French aviator Henri Farman and based upon similar aircraft produced by the Voisin brothers of France the Farman Biplane received popular acceptance by early aviators. Farman Biplanes went on to be employed in the early stages of WWI by the French military.

Farman Biplane
  • Wingspan: 34 ft. 10 in.
  • Length: 38 ft. Height: 10 ft. 9 in.
  • Gross Weight : 816 lbs.
  • Powerplant: 1 Gnome air cooled 7-cylinder radial, 50 hp (37 kW)
  • Crew: 1
  • Armament: none

References

  1. From Wikipedia Farman III, "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farman_III"
  2. Monash University: Hardgrave Histories - Henry Farman History and photos
  3. Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). "Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation". London: Studio Editions.
  4. "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft" (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing, p. 1734.

Morane-Saulnier Type L

Morane-Saulnier L

A "parasol" monoplane, the Morane Type L was a fragile one or two-seat reconnaissance aircraft. It was the first aircraft armed with a fixed machine gun that fired through the propellor arc. Bullets which struck the propellor were deflected by steel plates. Armed with a Hotchkiss machine gun firing 8 mm solid copper bullets, Roland Garros tested the design in April 1915. He scored three victories in three weeks before the plane was captured by the Germans.

Morane-Saulnier L
  • Type: Fighter Reconnaissance
  • Manufacturer: Aéroplanes Morane-Saulnier
  • First Introduced: 1913
  • Number Built: 600
  • Powerplant: Gnome, air-cooled 7 cylinder rotary, 80 hp (60 kW)
  • Wing Span: 36 ft 9 in 11.2 m
  • Length: 22 ft 6.75 in 6.88 m
  • Height: 12 ft 10.5 in 3.93 m
  • Wing Area: 290 ft² (27.00 m²)
  • Empty Weight: 385 kg
  • Loaded Weight: 1,441 lb 655 kg
  • Maximum Speed: 71.5 mph 115 kmh
  • Service Ceiling: 13,123 ft 4000 m
  • Endurance: 2.5 hours
  • Crew: 1 or 2
  • Armament: 1 machine gun

References

  1. From Wikipedia Morane-Saulnier L, "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morane-Saulnier_L"
  2. Green, William and Swanborough, Gordon. "The Complete Book of Fighters". New York: Smithmark, 1994, p.413. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.
  3. "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft". London: Aerospace Publishing, p.2698.
  4. Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). "Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation". London: Studio Editions, p. 684.
  5. Thetford, Owen. "British Naval Aircraft since 1912". London: Putnam, Fourth edition, 1978, p.258. ISBN 0-370-30021-1.
  6. Nicolle, David "The Ottoman Army 1914-1918" (Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 1994), p.9