2-492-286 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Louis Blériot about to make the first successful flight across the English Channel, 1909. French aviator Blériot (1872-1936) took off from the French village of Les Baraques shortly after 4.30 am on 25 July 1909, landing his Blériot XI plane at Northfall Meadow, near Dover, 37 minutes later. He won a prize of £1000 from the Daily Mail newspaper for his feat. A print from L'Illustration, 31 July 1909.