Blériot XI Britannia v1.0
This folder contains a repaint for the Bleriot XI by Wings42 in the colors of Bleriot XI-2 Britannia. The third Bleriot XI imported into New Zealand, it was a two seater presented by the Imperial Air Fleet committee to the New Zealand government. The committee’s aim was to promote the development of aviation in the British empire, and the presentation was intended to stimulate military aviation in New Zealand. The aircraft was a proven one, having been flown 347km non-stop from Dover to Cologne by Gustav Hamel in 4 hours 18 minutes on April 17, 1913. The aircraft was dubbed “Britannia’ at a ceremony at Hendon on May 22, and Hamel then took former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward for a short flight. The committee was composed primarily of London businessmen and Sir Joseph was the deputy-Chairman. The aircraft was paid for by public subscription and was valued for insurance purposes at 1400 pounds. The aircraft was disassembled and shipped to New Zealand aboard the Athenic. The aircraft arrived in Wellington on September 29, 1913, where it was discovered that the propeller was not in the shipment. This was soon shipped to New Zealand. In the meantime the aircraft was stored in a purpose built shed at the Buckle street Defence stores. In late 1913 Joseph ‘Joe’ Hammond had been appointed official Government pilot.
Mr Hammond suggested flying the aircraft to Auckland for display at an Exhibition. However the aircraft was railed north and was assembled in Auckland on January 14, 1914. On January 17, 1914 Mr Hammond made his first flight in the aircraft from the Epsom showgrounds. The following day he completed an hour long flight over Auckland at low level. A flight on the 19th with a journalist as passenger was aborted during takeoff when Hammond found he had no rudder control. Repairs were made and the aircraft flown again on January 24th. Another flight with a passenger then took place. Rather than a member of the media or any of the officials present Hammond chose to take Miss Esme McLalland as passenger. Miss McLalland was a member of the touring Royal Pantomime Company which was performing in Auckland, and the choice failed to impress the officials – Joe Hammonds employment as official pilot was terminated. The aircraft remained on static display for the remainder of the Exhibition and was returned to Wellington at the end of April 1914. Without a pilot (there were several Army Officers training in England – 2nd Lt. A. Piper and 2nd Lt. W. Burn) any official role for the aircraft (and officials did not seem to know what to do with it), it was placed in storage at the Mt Cook barracks in Wellington. Soon after, a report by General Hamilton, the Imperial Inspecter of Overseas Forces discouraged further aviation development. With the outbreak of war an offer was made to send the aircraft with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. It was shipped back to England, departing on the Arawa on October 16. It was unloaded in London on January 15, 1915 and and went from there to Brooklands where it is believed to have been used as a trainer. Repaint by Jan Kees Blom
