History Brief, by Johan Visschedijk November 30, 2008

Blériot Bl.111

The Blériot Bl.111 braced monoplane airliner had a wing of mixed wood and metal construction covered with fabric, the fuselage was of all-wood construction with plywood covering. Only three were produced, however, re-engined several times, they were developed into the following versions: Bl.1111 (c/n 01), first flown 1928, fitted with a 280 hp Hispano-Suiza 6Mbr, registered F-ALZE Bl.1112 (c/n 02), first flown October 1, 1929, fitted with a 240 hp Lorraine 7Me Mizar, registered F-ALND Bl.1113 (c/n 02), first flown March 12, 1930, fitted with a 420 hp Gnome & Rhône 9Ady                          sold to the Spanish Republican forces on August 20, 1936 Bl.1114 (c/n 01), first flown October 16, 1930, fitted with a 400 hp Hispano-Suiza 12Jb                          first French designed and produced aircraft fitted with a manually operated retractable undercarriage Bl.1115 (c/n 01), first flown October 16, 1932, fitted with a 500 hp Hispano-Suiza 12Mbr                          later flown fitted with a 500 hp Gnome & Rhône K-14 Bl.1116 (c/n 1),   first flown May 1934, fitted with an 840 hp Gnome & Rhône K-14Kbrs, registered F-ANJS                          sold to the Spanish Republican forces in August 1936 Bl.1115 Nico Braas Collection Specifications [deviating data Bl.1115 with Gnome & Rhône K-14] Type Bl.1111 Bl.1112 Bl.1113 Bl.1114 Bl.1115 Bl.1116 Passengers: 5 5 7 6 6 6 Span: ft in (m) 53 9.7 (16.40) 52 5.9 (16.00) 52 5.9 (16.00) 55 9.3 (17.00) 55 9.3 (17.00) 55 9.3 (17.00) Length: ft in (m) 35 9.1 (10.90) 35 9.1 (10.90) 35 5.6 (10.81) 34 11.3 (10.66) 35 9.1 (10.90) [34 10.9 (10.64)] 34 11.3 (10.66) Height: ft in (m) 11 7.8 (3.55) 13 7.4 (4.15) 13 7.4 (4.15) 13 3.8 (4.06) 13 2.7 (4.03) 13 4.2 (4.07) Wing area: sq.ft (sq.m) 356.29 (33.10) 356.97 (34.00) 356.97 (34.00) 372.43 (34.60) 372.43 (34.60) 372.11 (34.57) Empty: lb (kg) 3,307 (1,500) 3,285 (1,490) 3,501 (1,588) 3,748 (1,700) 4,299 (1,950) [4,343 (1,970)] 4,709 (2,136) Max T/O: lb (kg) 5,071 (2,300) 5,066 (2,298) 5,772 (2,618) 5,953 (2,700) 6,834 (3,100) 7,496 (3,400) Max speed: mph (kmh) 118 (190) 117 (188) 143 (230) 146 (235) 174 (280) [158 (255)] 230 (370) Ceiling: ft (m) 13,451 (4,100) 13,123 (4,000) 13,123 (4,000) 13,123 (4,000) 13,123 (4,000) [18,045 (5,500)] 18,045 (5,500) Range: mls (km) 621 (1,000) 621 (1,000) 621 (1,000) 684 (1,100) 808 (1,300) 621 (1,000)