The Blériot XI is the aircraft that was used by Louis Blériot on July 25, 1909 to make the first flight across the English Channel made in a heavier-than-air aircraft.
Funny, I never thought of this for your famous flights post. In Europe it would be right up there. With Britain still at the height of its empire and smugly confident in the protection afforded by the English Channel and the Royal Navy, Bleriot's flight came as a massive reality check. Of course, being British, we condescendingly congratulated the "plucky little Frenchman" but suddenly the battle of Trafalgar wasn't quite such a definitive victory anymore. Tony
Funny, I never thought of this for your famous flights post.
ReplyDeleteIn Europe it would be right up there. With Britain still at the height of its empire and smugly confident in the protection afforded by the English Channel and the Royal Navy, Bleriot's flight came as a massive reality check.
Of course, being British, we condescendingly congratulated the "plucky little Frenchman" but suddenly the battle of Trafalgar wasn't quite such a definitive victory anymore.
Tony
I sure didn't either! Thanks!
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