ContiTech Press Releases

Hanover, July 2009100 years ago Louis Blériot dared to fly across the English Channel • Continental aeroplane material and a float accompanied this record flight • Musée des Arts & Métiers in Paris is running a special exhibition • ContiTech France and ContiTech Elastomer Coatings did the restoration work

100 years ago Louis Blériot dared to fly across the English Channel – and succeeded in becoming the first one to successfully do so in a plane. The French aviation pioneer relied on Continental for the feat.

Continental accompanied the first fly across the English Channel by Louis Blériot with coated fabric and a float.

Photo: ContiTech

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The coated fabric from Continental used to cover the wings and fuselage of the plane can still be viewed on the historic machine, Blériot XI. Visitors to the Musée des Arts & Métiers in Paris can form their own picture of the Continental aeroplane material, which has survived for more than a century. Through October 18, 2009, the museum is running a special exhibition in which Blériot’s personal effects and objects connected with the Channel flight of July 25, 1909 are on display, including the original airplane.

Continental accompanied the first fly across the English Channel by Louis Blériot with coated fabric and a float.

Photo: ContiTech

Image Download
(JPG, RGB, 300dpi, app. 9x6cm, 988kB)

Conservator David Aguilella Cueco also restored a float made by Continental that had likewise accompanied Blériot on his record flight. The cylindrical piece, a good two meters long, was to prevent the airplane from sinking. Blériot wasn't a swimmer. The float, produced at the Continental plant in Clichy in 1909, can likewise be viewed at the exhibition.

ContiTech France and ContiTech Elastomer Coatings in Northeim collaborated closely in restoration work. In dialog two collapsible cylinders made of coated fabric were designed. They were inserted into the float, which is not leakproof, and inflated. The cylinders stabilize the float and allow visitors to the exhibition to view the float as it originally looked.