Norwegian Bleriot XI

[Eduard Sorokin]

Hello !

 

I am looking for any pictures of Bleriot XI aircrafts, that was used in Norway from 1914 by Air Force and Naval Air Service. who can help ?

 

Best regards,

Tracker.

[Knut Erik Hagen]

Hei,

 

There was only one Bleriot XI in Norwegian service:

Tryggve Grans Bleriot XI-2 Artillerie #794 was flown by him on behalf of the Armed Forces 1914-16.

The aircraft carried no markings except "crossed cockades" under Stbd. and Port wing.

In 1914 it flew with floatation bags fitted in the mid/aft fuselage - second picture.

A tank installed for the crossing was removed so they could fit a seat for an observer.

 

Some time before the flights in Northern Norway in the autumn 1915 did the aft part of the fuselage get covered up

 

The machine is now on display in Oslos Science Museum after a series of restorations with a set of "crossed cockades" underneath the wing - first picture. 

 

Covering that was stripped off durning the latest restoration is on display in Stavanger - last photo.

 

Getting hold of photos of Grans Bleriot XI is difficult, so I am not inclined to post original images here.

Further information on Tryggve Gran and his Bleriot XI in an article by me in "Newsletter for Warbirds of Norway" - 22.1

Øyvind Ellingsen has comissioned a flying replica from Koloman Mayrhofer and it might take to the air some time in 2009.

 

 

  BRgds

Knut Erik

[Eduard Sorokin]

Dear sir Knut Erik Hagen !

 

Thank you very much for Your informative and detailed answer. The photos of Bleriot are very interesting and useful !

 

Answer me, please:

As I understood from Your reply, the upper wing surfaces of B-XI had not any insignia, isn't it ?

 

Wait for answer.

 

Thank You once again.

 

Eduard.

 

 

[Nils Mathisrud]

As I understood from Your reply, the upper wing surfaces of B-XI had not any insignia, isn't it ?

 

No insignia on the upper wing surfaces since there were no other aircraft that could fly above it.

 

However the insignia paint would be visible from the upper side, through the canvas.

 

Nils

[Einar Sandvik]

And as far as I know, this type of Norwegian national insignia was used on this particular aircraft only.

 

Einar S

[Nils Mathisrud]

A similar insignia was tested in 1926, but was rejected. It consisted of a red disc with the white and blue cross. The outer circles were omitted.

 

Nils

[Knut Erik Hagen]

Hei,

 

I have been busy dealing with some rather aggressive turtles offshore India so no time to add to what I wrote initially:

 

 

Be aware of errors introduced during storage and restorations of the aircraft:

1. Black metal B (for Bleriot) on the cowling front is gone.

 

2. Horizontal tail is mounted the wrong way.

 

3. Supports for landing wires above the fuselage are not originals, the ones there now seem to have been in a hurry from whatever pieces of metal they had available.

 

4. Area behind cockpit is not correct for the crossing - it had been changed into a single seat machine with extra tanks.

 

5. Also - for the time of the crossing - add floatation bags.

 

Another photo taken before the flight from Scotland is attached, you can see the Norwegian flag attached to the rudder and that no markings are present on top of the wings.

 

Since the sun usually shines from above are markings underneath a wing less likely to be visible on the top than in the normal case of markings on the top surface being seen from the ground.

 

 

  Eders

Knut Erik

[Eduard Sorokin]

Hello !

 

OK, men.

Thanks to You all for help !

______________________

Merry christmas !

 

With the best wishes,

Tracker.