Rafael Ivanovich Kapreliants
Encyclopedia
Rafael Ivanovich Kapreliants (Gabrielyan) (May 5, 1909, Baku
- 1984, Moscow
) was a Soviet Armenian first class pilot, Honorary test-pilot of USSR, a Hero of the Soviet Union
(1975) and the holder of 10 world records for helicopters.
Kapreliants was born in the family of Armenian doctor Hovnan Gabrielyan. He graduated from Leningrad Institute of engineers for the Civil Air Fleet (CAF) in 1932, and Bataysk pilot's school in 1934.
He had flown on the air routes of the CAF before World War II
, mastering practically all kinds of transport aircraft, that were being used in the USSR at the time. During the war, he was the second-in-command of the special forces airgroup, fulfilling tasks of the General Staff. During one of such flights, he landed poorly as a result of acute icing and was taken as a POW by the Nazis, but he managed to escape and found himself among partisans. After his return to the Soviet Union, he was appointed as the commander of the 89th bomber regiment. His regiment represented the long-range aviation at the Victory Parade
on the June 24, 1945.
He worked as a test-pilot since 1947. He tested the long bomber Tu-4, a new production aircraft at the time. Kapreliants was the head-pilot of the Experimental Constructing Bureau piloting Mil Mi-1
s from 1953 to 1966. He was the first person to fly the Mi-4
, Mi-6
and Mi-10
helicopters. During his regular leave, he joined the staff of the diesel-electric ship "Ob", he reached the latitude of the Mi-4 from the deck of the "Ob".
He tested 57 aircraft and helicopters, coping altogether with about 75 flying devices.
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
- 1984, Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
) was a Soviet Armenian first class pilot, Honorary test-pilot of USSR, a Hero of the Soviet Union
Hero of the Soviet Union
The title Hero of the Soviet Union was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded personally or collectively for heroic feats in service to the Soviet state and society.-Overview:...
(1975) and the holder of 10 world records for helicopters.
Kapreliants was born in the family of Armenian doctor Hovnan Gabrielyan. He graduated from Leningrad Institute of engineers for the Civil Air Fleet (CAF) in 1932, and Bataysk pilot's school in 1934.
He had flown on the air routes of the CAF before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, mastering practically all kinds of transport aircraft, that were being used in the USSR at the time. During the war, he was the second-in-command of the special forces airgroup, fulfilling tasks of the General Staff. During one of such flights, he landed poorly as a result of acute icing and was taken as a POW by the Nazis, but he managed to escape and found himself among partisans. After his return to the Soviet Union, he was appointed as the commander of the 89th bomber regiment. His regiment represented the long-range aviation at the Victory Parade
Victory parade
A victory parade is a type of parade held in order to celebrate a victory. Because of that, victory parades can be divided into military victory parades and more frequent sport victory parades....
on the June 24, 1945.
He worked as a test-pilot since 1947. He tested the long bomber Tu-4, a new production aircraft at the time. Kapreliants was the head-pilot of the Experimental Constructing Bureau piloting Mil Mi-1
Mil Mi-1
The Mil Mi-1 The Mil Mi-1 The Mil Mi-1 ( (USAF/DoD reporting name "Type 32", NATO reporting name "Hare") was a Soviet three- or four-seat light utility helicopter. It was the first Soviet helicopter to enter serial production. It is powered by one 575 hp Ivchenko AI-26V radial. It entered...
s from 1953 to 1966. He was the first person to fly the Mi-4
Mil Mi-4
The Mil Mi-4 was a Soviet transport helicopter that served in both military and civilian roles.-Design and development:...
, Mi-6
Mil Mi-6
|-Facts:*Test pilot N.B. Leshin has set the world record of speed. This event was awarded by the American Helicopter Society.*Small numbers are still in service, most in Siberia plus a small number with the People's Republic of China...
and Mi-10
Mil Mi-10
-See also:-References:Bibliography* Gordon, Yefim, Komissarov, Dmitriy and Komissarov, Sergey, Mil's Heavylift Helicopters; Mi-6/Mi-10/V-12/Mi-26, Red Star Volume 22, Midland Counties Publications, 2005-External links:*http://www.aviation.ru/Mi/#10...
helicopters. During his regular leave, he joined the staff of the diesel-electric ship "Ob", he reached the latitude of the Mi-4 from the deck of the "Ob".
He tested 57 aircraft and helicopters, coping altogether with about 75 flying devices.