After eight months of dedicated work, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio has completed restoration of their 1909 Bleriot XI.
As previously reported, The type is famous for being the first aircraft to cross the English Channel in July 1909, and it was used by several famous early aviators from Louis Bleriot himself, to Adolphe Pégoud to Harriet Quimby. It even saw service in the early months of WW1. The museum’s specific example was built from factory drawings by Ernest C. Hall of Warren, Ohio in 1911. He donated it to the museum in 1939. It was removed from public display in 2023 for restoration, with work beginning earlier this year.
The aircraft has since been rolled out for its official photoshoot and plans call for it to return to display in the museum’s early years gallery some time this month. Check out additional photos and a video of the completed aircraft below.
Continue reading USAF Museum Completes Restoration of Bleriot XI [Video]
