Blériot XII
The Blériot XII is a French aircraft dating back to the pioneer era of aviation. It was also the first airplane to carry two passengers.
Wright Flyer or Kitty Hawk - WW1 Aircraft & Warplanes - History

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Country of Origin: France
Type: Monoplane, Prototypes and Experimental
Manufacturer: Louis Blériot

Blériot XII Aircraft Overview

The Blériot XII was an early French monoplane aircraft designed and built by the aviation pioneer Louis Blériot in the early 1900s. The aircraft was one of a series of successful Blériot designs that helped establish him as one of the leading figures in the development of aviation during the early years of the 20th century.

The Blériot XII was a two-seater aircraft with a wooden monocoque fuselage, covered with fabric. It had a high wing-mounted above the fuselage, with ailerons and a triangular fin mounted on the top of the fuselage. The aircraft was powered by a 50 horsepower Gnome rotary engine, driving a two-bladed propeller.

The Blériot XII made its first flight in January 1909 and was used for a variety of experimental flights and record attempts over the next few years. In 1911, Blériot flew a modified version of the XII in the Circuit de l’Est race, which was the first air race to take place in France. The aircraft was eventually retired from service in 1912, as newer and more advanced designs began to emerge.

Overall, the Blériot XII was an important aircraft in the early development of aviation, helping to demonstrate the viability of monoplane designs and contributing to the growing interest and investment in aviation during the early years of the 20th century.

Blériot XII Specifications

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 2
  • Length: 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
  • Wing Area: 22 m² (240 sq ft)
  • Empty Weight: 600 kg (1,323 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × E.N.V. engine, 35 kW (47 hp)

Blériot XII Performance

  • Maximum Speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 knots)

Blériot XII Image Gallery

More Aircraft

German WW1 Aircraft: Fokker G.I

Fokker G.I

The Fokker G.I, or “Le Faucheur” (The Reaper), was a heavy Dutch twin-engine fighter and reconnaissance aircraft developed in the late 1930s.

Read More »
Fokker D.VII - German WW1 Aircraft & Warplanes - Details

Fokker D.VII

The Fokker D.VII was one of the most advanced and effective fighter aircraft of World War I, regarded as the time’s best German fighter.

Read More »
Sopwith Triplane - British WW1 Aircraft and Warplanes

Sopwith Triplane

The Sopwith Triplane (“Tripe” or “Tripehound”) was a British single-seat fighter aircraft that played a pioneering role in World War I.

Read More »
Bloch MB.150 - WW2 French Aircraft & Warplanes

Bloch MB.150

The Bloch MB.150 was a French fighter aircraft that featured an all-metal construction, a retractable undercarriage, and an enclosed cockpit.

Read More »