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Rafail KaprelianTest pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union
Date of Birth: 05.05.1909
Country:  Azerbaijan |
Content:
- Biography of Rafael Kaprelyan
- Early Life and Education
- Aviation Career
- Later Years and Achievements
- Death and Legacy
Biography of Rafael Kaprelyan
Rafael Ivanovich Kaprelyan was a test pilot and a Hero of the Soviet Union. He was awarded this title on May 15, 1975, for his courage and heroism displayed during the Great Patriotic War and in testing new aviation technology. He was honored with the Order of Lenin and the "Gold Star" medal.
Early Life and Education
Rafael Ivanovich Kaprelyan was born on May 5, 1909, in Baku, Azerbaijan. He was of Armenian descent. In 1926, he graduated from the Baku Industrial and Economic Technical School. From 1927 to 1929, he studied at the Azerbaijan Polytechnic Institute, and in 1932, he graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Engineers of the State Water Fleet. He worked as an engineer in the Main Directorate of the State Water Fleet and later at the Leningrad Institute of Engineers of the State Water Fleet.
Aviation Career
In 1934, Kaprelyan completed the Bataysk Flight School of the State Water Fleet. He served as a flight instructor at the Leningrad Institute of Engineers of the State Water Fleet and then worked as a pilot at the Moscow Directorate of the State Water Fleet from 1935 to 1941. He joined the Soviet Army in 1941 and became a participant in the Great Patriotic War.
During the war, Kaprelyan served as the commander of the Moscow Special Aviation Group from November 1941 to May 1943. On January 28, 1942, he was shot down and captured by the enemy. However, he managed to escape from captivity in August 1942 and fought with the partisans until October 23, 1942. From May 1943 to February 1944, he served as a technical inspector for piloting techniques in the 73rd Auxiliary Aviation Division (Long-Range Aviation), and from March 1944 to May 1945, he commanded the 89th Transport Aviation Regiment (Long-Range Aviation).
Throughout the war, Kaprelyan carried out 89 combat flights deep into enemy territory to parachute troops and deliver ammunition and weapons to the front lines.
Later Years and Achievements
After the war, Kaprelyan became a Lieutenant Colonel and entered the reserve in 1945. However, from 1945 to 1947, he worked as a pilot for the Moscow Directorate of the State Water Fleet. From 1947 to 1950, he served as a test pilot for the Flight Research Institute, and from 1950 to 1953, he worked at the Aviation Plant No. 82 in Tushino. From 1953 to 1968, he was a senior test pilot for the M.L. Mil Design Bureau, where he conducted test flights for helicopters such as the Mi-6, Mi-10, Mi-2, Mi-4, Mi-8, and Mi-10K.
Kaprelyan set eight world aviation records for speed and payload on the Mi-4 and Mi-6 helicopters from 1956 to 1962, one of which he achieved as the second pilot. He was also awarded the title of Honored Test Pilot of the USSR in 1961 and achieved the rank of Master of Sports of the USSR in 1969.
Death and Legacy
Kaprelyan lived in Moscow until his death on July 12, 1984. He was buried at the Kuntsevo Cemetery in Moscow. He received numerous awards and honors during his lifetime, including two Orders of Lenin, Orders of the Red Banner, Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class, two Orders of the Red Banner of Labor, two Orders of the Red Star, Order "Sign of Honor," and several medals.
