Blériot IX and X • wp.archivoaereo.com

The Blériot IX aircraft, built in 1908, represented a new design in Louis Blériot’s series of monoplanes. It featured a high-wing configuration with a pulling propeller. Ailerons were located at the wingtips. In the rear part of its long, triangular-section fuselage, there was a large horizontal stabilizer, followed by a vertical fin. The landing gear was tricycle, with a tail wheel.

Its dimensions included a length of 12 meters, a wingspan of 9 meters, and a wing area of 26 m². The takeoff weight was 559 kg. It was powered by a 60 hp Antoinette engine.

Although the aircraft was built, it was never tested. It remains unclear why Louis Blériot did not attempt to fly it. In December 1908, the Blériot IX was exhibited at the Paris Motor Show.

Table of Contents

The Transition to the Biplane: Blériot X

Blériot’s next project was not even completed. All aircraft created by Louis Blériot since 1907 had been monoplanes. However, only once, at the end of 1908, the designer turned to a “biplane” configuration.

This decision was influenced by the demonstration flights of the Wright A biplane, which had sensational success in France and made a great impression on Blériot. This is how the Blériot X aircraft came into being.

Innovative Features of the Blériot X

The Blériot X, like the Wright brothers’ aircraft, had no fuselage. The elevators, which also served as ailerons, were located behind the wing, while the rudders were in front of the wing. The wing was divided into cells by vertical partitions. A four-bladed pusher propeller was connected to an Antoinette engine (50/90 hp) via a transmission.

This large aircraft (13 m wingspan, 8.2 m length, 68 m² area) was designed to carry three people. The wheeled landing gear was made very low to create an “air cushion” effect during landing.

However, the creation of this unusual aircraft for Louis Blériot remained unfinished. Soon disappointed with his idea, the designer resumed work on monoplanes.

Technical Specifications

Modification	Blériot IX
Wingspan, m	9.00
Length, m	12.00
Wing area, m2	26.00
Normal takeoff weight	559
Engine type	1 Piston engine Antoinette
Power, hp	1 x 60
Crew, crew members	1