The
end sections, which are made movable for warping purposes,
are each 2 feet 10 inches square, the combined surface area in
the entire horizontal rudder being 33 square feet. The vertical
rudder contains 4 1/2 square feet of surface, making the entire
supporting area 187 1/2 square feet.
From the outer end of the propeller shaft in front to the extreme
rear edge of the vertical rudder, the machine is 25 feet
deep. Deducting the 6-foot depth of the main plane leaves 19
feet as the length of the rudder beam and rudders. The motor
equipment consists of a 3-cylinder, air-cooled engine of about
30 h. p. placed at the front end of the body frame, and carrying
on its crankshaft a two-bladed propeller 6 feet 8 inches in
diameter. The engine speed is about 1,250 r. p. m. at which
the propeller develops a thrust of over 200 pounds.
The Bleriot XI complete weighs 484 pounds, and with
operator and fuel supply ready for a 25- or 30-mile flight, 715
pounds. One peculiarity of the Bleriot construction is that,
while the ribs of the main plane are curved, there is no
preliminary
bending of the pieces as in other forms of construction.
Bleriot has his rib pieces cut a little longer than required
and, by springing them into place, secures the necessary
curvature.
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