Bleriot No X Channel aircraft on display, Science Museum, London, May 1939.
During a special exhibition called 'Historical Aeroplanes' which was held at the museum during May-July 1939. French aviator Louis Bleriot (1872-1936) made the first cross-Channel heavier-than-air flight in his No XI monoplane on 25 July 1909. Though his small, air-cooled three-cylinder Anzani motor was barely adequate for the task, he bravely pressed on, landing in Dover to immense acclaim. Bleriot was one of the pioneers of the standard-control layout still used today and patented his system in 1908. Got a favourite memory of the Science Museum in London? Tell us here!
First added by ScM