Blériot 74

Despite previous bomber tragedies, engineer Touyet remained confident in the “four-engine square” formula, applying it to the creation of the Blériot 74. This aircraft featured a fuselage with a much larger cross-section, designed to accommodate two crew members and a substantial bomb load.

A Post-War Aviation Giant Takes Flight

With the end of the war drawing near and its first flight on October 2, 1918, under Sadi-Lecointe, the commercial potential of this “Jumbo” grew significantly. The aircraft was urgently converted into an airliner, capable of carrying 21 passengers, with a maximum capacity of 26.

The Tragic Fate of the “Mammouth”

Nevertheless, fate once again turned against Blériot’s giants. On January 22, 1919, the “Mammouth” crashed in Buc, claiming the life of its pilot, Armand Berthelot. Berthelot was a renowned ace, credited with 11 aerial victories during the First World War.

Technical Specifications

Modification	Bl 74
Wingspan, m	27.00
Length, m	15.40
Height, m	6.40
Wing area, m2	148.60
Empty weight	3 800
Normal takeoff weight	7550
Engine type	4 Piston engines Hispano-Suiza 8Fb
Power, hp	4 x 300
Maximum speed, km/h	140
Cruising speed, km/h	112
Flight endurance, h.min	6.20
Crew	4
Armament	two 7.7-mm machine guns, bomb load – 1500 kg

Image and diagram gallery of the Blériot 74

Bleriot 74	Bleriot 74
Bleriot 74	Bleriot 74
Bleriot 74	Bleriot 74
Bleriot 74	Bleriot 74
Bleriot 74