Bleriot Xi: the Story of a Classic Aircraft

1982 Smithsonian Institution Press (Washington, D.C.), 8 1/2 x 11 inches tall paperbound, copiously illustrated with black-and-white photographs and drawings, vii, 143 pp. Slight to moderate rubbing and edgewear to covers, with very slight creasing to tips. Otherwise, a very good to near fine copy - clean, bright and unmarked. ~SP16~ [2.0P] The history and detailed technical description of the Bleriot XI, a French aircraft from the pioneer era of aviation. The first example was used by Louis Bleriot to make the first flight across the English Channel in a heavier-than-air aircraft, on 25 July 1909. This is one of the most famous accomplishments of the pioneer era of aviation, and not only won Bleriot a lasting place in history but also assured the future of his aircraft manufacturing business. The event caused a major reappraisal of the importance of aviation; the English newspaper The Daily Express led its story of the flight with the headline 'Britain is no longer an Island.'