Bleriot 111

Designed by Andre Herbemont this four seat executive /passenger aircraft was the first French aircraft to incorporate a retractable undercarriage. Only four models were completed and they varied primarily in power plant. The first model, the 111 /1, was powered by an Hispano Suiza 6 Mbr 6 cylinder water cooled engine which was subsequently replaced with a Gnome Rhone 9 Ady 420 h.p. radial engine becoming the 111 /3.

As rightly mentioned one 111 known as "Sagittaire" (Sagittarius) was entered in the London - Melbourne air race. This was the re engined 111 /5 which featured 840 h.p. Gnome Rhone 14 Kbrs engine, but was withdrawn when the undercarriage failed two days before the race.

Span 55'9" Length 34'11" Height 14'4" Empty Weight 4.709 lb Gross Weight 7,496 lb
Max Speed 230 mph Range 620 miles Ceiling 18,000 ft

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this is Bleriot Bl-111 /6 f-anjs, last of the Bl-111, 1st flight in 1934

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