BILL COFFMAN'S SPITFIRE STUDIO COLLECTION
No. 12173. Blériot XI-2 (C-FBLW c/n 001)
Photographed by Bill Coffman

Blériot XI-2

11/30/2013. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Pierre Racette started manufacturing of this replica in 2007, he was assisted by Daniel Amirault, Richard Boisvert, Michel Latulipe, Jean Francois Racette and Fernand St. Andrew; the project was funded by Marcel Deschamps. The replica had exact measurements, and was as accurate as possible, including the design errors of the early aviation era. Using construction methods of that era, all wooden parts were handcrafted and metal parts were casted in sand molds. The only purchased main items were the 110 hp Rotec 2800 radial engine, the propeller, wheels and instrument panel.

After five years and 4,000 work hours the aircraft was ready in August 2012, on the 24th the pilot, Patrick Cloutier, made high-speed runs with an occasional hop along the runway at CSU3 Airport, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. Despite excessive winds and the pilot's lack of wing warp controls, the aircraft was flown on August 25. Making his second landing attempt, this time down wind, the aircraft stalled and upon impact to the runway it flipped over. The aircraft was wrecked (site files), the pilot walked away. On February 12, 2013 the registration was cancelled.

However, a few months later, April 30, 2013, the aircraft was registered as N791X in the USA, new owner is Training Services Inc. at Virginia Beach, Virginia. The aircraft has no CofA yet, so it is likely that the aircraft is being restored."

Created November 30, 2013