J.Davilla, A.Soltan French Aircraft of the First World War (Flying Machines)

Bleriot 44

  Built in 1914, the Bleriot 44 was a single-seat artillery cooperation aircraft powered by an 80-hp Gnome 7A engine. The pilot's position was behind the wing to improve his field of vision. The engine and fuel tank were situated in the nose to counteract the weight of the pilot who was in the rear. While the new arrangement provided a better view for the pilot than the standard Bleriot 11, the Type 44 was not selected by the military, and only the single prototype was built.


Bleriot 44 Single-Seat Artillery Cooperation
   Aircraft with 80-hp Gnome 7A
   No specifications known
   One built


Bleriot 45

  The Bleriot 45 was an unorthodox single-seat aircraft intended for reconnaissance. The attempt to solve the problem of pilot vision took an approach directly opposite that tried in the Type 44 by putting the pilot in the nose of the plane well ahead of the wing. The engine was located within the fuselage, the propeller shaft passing between the pilot's legs. The propeller was placed at the extreme nose. The six cylinders of the engine were accommodated in cutouts in the rear of the fuselage, the tail and rudder were identical to that used on the Bleriot 44. The Bleriot 45 was not selected for use.


Bleriot 45 Single-Seat Artillery Cooperation Aircraft with 80-hp Gnome 7A
   No specification known
   One built