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The '''Blériot VII''' was an early [[France|French]] aeroplane built by [[Louis Blériot]]. Inspired by his success with the [[tandem wing]] configuration of the [[Blériot VI]], he continued this line of development in October 1907. The [[Tailplane|rear wing]] of his new design was somewhat smaller than the forward wing and therefore represents another step toward the configuration that would later be adopted as the basis for the vast majority of aircraft. The tail surfaces could be moved together, to act as [[Elevator (aircraft)|elevators]], or independently to act as [[aileron]]s, as one of the first known manifestations of what would become [[elevon]]s in designs of later decades.
The '''Blériot VII''' was an early [[France|French]] aeroplane built by [[Louis Blériot]]. Following the success with the [[tandem wing]] configuration of the [[Blériot VI]], he continued this line of development. The [[Tailplane|rear wing]] of his new design was about half the span of the forward wing, a step towards the configuration that would later be adopted as the basis for the vast majority of aircraft. The tail surfaces could be moved together, to act as [[Elevator (aircraft)|elevators]], or independently to act as [[aileron]]s, as one of the first known manifestations of what would become [[elevon]]s in designs of later decades.

On 5 and 6 November, trials at [[Issy-les-Moulineaux]] revealed structural weaknesses which Blériot addressed before making a flight of 500 m at 90 km/h (1,640 ft at 56 mph) on November 16. Many other successful flights were carried out before the aircraft was destroyed on December 18.


On 5 October Blériot began taxying trials at [[Issy-les-Moulineaux]]. The aircrft was difficult to control on the ground, and the tests ended when the undercarriage collapsed. Bleriot addressed this issue by redesigning the undercarriage, coming up with the arrangement that was used on his subsequent aircraft. Each wheel was mounted on a castering trailing arm which was free to slide up and down on a fixed frame, the movement being limited by [bungee cords]]<ref>Elliott 2000, pp.60-61</ref> The aircraft was first flown on 16 November, when Blériot made a flight of around {{convert|500|m|ft|abr=on}} <ref>Opdycke 1990, p.62</ref> and further flights were made during November. At the end of November further modifictions were made: the wing was move from its position immediately above the lower [[longerons]] to a position about two thirds of the way up the fuselage, and a tubular steel [[cabene]] structure was added to take the wing's bracing wires. In this configuration the aircraft was flown by Blériot on 6 December. On this occasion he succeeded in making a U-turn in the air, and the performance of the aircraft was impressive enough for [[Patrick Young Alexander|Patrick Alexander]] to write "I think Blériot is now leading the way". <ref>Elliott 2000, p.62</ref> However, the next flight trials, on 18 December, ended with a crash: th left wheel collapsed, causing the wing to dig in and the aircraft to turn over, resulting in its destruction. Blériot escaped without serious injury, his life possible saved by the cabane structure which acted as a roll bar.
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Revision as of 11:04, 5 March 2012

Blériot VII
Role Experimental aircraft
Manufacturer Louis Blériot
Produced 1907
Number built 1

The Blériot VII was an early French aeroplane built by Louis Blériot. Following the success with the tandem wing configuration of the Blériot VI, he continued this line of development. The rear wing of his new design was about half the span of the forward wing, a step towards the configuration that would later be adopted as the basis for the vast majority of aircraft. The tail surfaces could be moved together, to act as elevators, or independently to act as ailerons, as one of the first known manifestations of what would become elevons in designs of later decades.

On 5 October Blériot began taxying trials at Issy-les-Moulineaux. The aircrft was difficult to control on the ground, and the tests ended when the undercarriage collapsed. Bleriot addressed this issue by redesigning the undercarriage, coming up with the arrangement that was used on his subsequent aircraft. Each wheel was mounted on a castering trailing arm which was free to slide up and down on a fixed frame, the movement being limited by [bungee cords]][1] The aircraft was first flown on 16 November, when Blériot made a flight of around 500 metres (1,600 ft)* [2] and further flights were made during November. At the end of November further modifictions were made: the wing was move from its position immediately above the lower longerons to a position about two thirds of the way up the fuselage, and a tubular steel cabene structure was added to take the wing's bracing wires. In this configuration the aircraft was flown by Blériot on 6 December. On this occasion he succeeded in making a U-turn in the air, and the performance of the aircraft was impressive enough for Patrick Alexander to write "I think Blériot is now leading the way". [3] However, the next flight trials, on 18 December, ended with a crash: th left wheel collapsed, causing the wing to dig in and the aircraft to turn over, resulting in its destruction. Blériot escaped without serious injury, his life possible saved by the cabane structure which acted as a roll bar.


Specifications

Data from Opdycke 1990, p.49

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 9 m (29 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
  • Wing area: 25 m2 (270 sq ft)
  • Gross weight: 425 kg (937 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Antoinette V-8 water-cooled piston engine, 37 kW (50 hp)
  • Propellers: 4-bladed

References

  1. ^ Elliott 2000, pp.60-61
  2. ^ Opdycke 1990, p.62
  3. ^ Elliott 2000, p.62

Bibliography

  • Elliott, Bryan A. (2000). Blériot: Herald of an Age. Stroud: Tempus. ISBN 0-7524-1739-8.
  • Opdycke, Leonard E. (1990). French Aircraft Before the Great War. Atglen, PA: Schiffer. ISBN 0-7643-0752-5.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 161.
  • Devaux, Jean and Michel Marani. "Les Douze Premiers Aéroplanes de Louis Blériot". Pegase No 54, May 1989.


See also

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