Carlsson prepares the aircraft for take-off at Calais-Marek soon after dawn on July 25, 1999. Note the removable seat and the Swedish flags.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bleriot Bleriot-XI - ФранцияFrance - 1909

The loneliness of the long-distance flyer: Mikael Carlsson crosses out over the French coast early on July 25, 1999.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bleriot Bleriot-XI - ФранцияFrance - 1909

Success! The Bleriot sits in a corner of the landing field at Dover, a few hundred yards from the Castle. In good British tradition Carlsson was arrested by the local constabulary upon arrival, but pilot and aircraft were soon released.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bleriot Bleriot-XI - ФранцияFrance - 1909

Carlsson’s Bieriot XI (actually a restored 1918 licence-built Thulin A) over the Channel.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bleriot Bleriot-XI - ФранцияFrance - 1909

Waiting to depart. A delay in positioning the rescue launch led to a late takeoff - but better light for the photographers recording the flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bleriot Bleriot-XI - ФранцияFrance - 1909

Mikael Carlsson lifts his Bleriot XI over the White Cliffs of Dover at the end of his 90th anniversary emulation of Louis Bleriot’s pioneering 1909 cross-Channel flight on July 25, 1999.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bleriot Bleriot-XI - ФранцияFrance - 1909

Carlsson’s aircraft is powered by a 50 h.p. Gnome rotary engine, providing a useful reserve of power over Bleriot’s original 25 h.p. Anzani radial.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bleriot Bleriot-XI - ФранцияFrance - 1909

If Channel ferry passengers could still tank up on duty-free booze, they would have been taking more water with it after glancing out of the windows.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bleriot Bleriot-XI - ФранцияFrance - 1909

Will he make it over the White Cliffs? Carlsson approaches landfall at Dover after a 28min flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bleriot Bleriot-XI - ФранцияFrance - 1909

Bleriot’s landing site in 1909. The author has it on good authority that his father is the boy on the extreme right of the picture, standing next to the chap in the bowler hat. The cloth-capped man standing in front of the aircraft at left is Mr King of the Dover Marquee Co, who was commissioned to erect a protective cover around the aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bleriot Bleriot-XI - ФранцияFrance - 1909

The Daily Graphic’s map of Bleriot’s less-than-direct crossing of the Channel. Weather conditions meant that for much of the flight he could not see either coast.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bleriot Bleriot-XI - ФранцияFrance - 1909