Lucien Coupet

Born in Issoudun on the 4th of October 1888, Lucien Coupet is an emblematic figure of the french aviation history. Before becoming a pilote and well known ingeneer, he starts his career as a mechanic. Passionate by the mechanics of flying machines, he commits in military aviation from the beginning of the First World War in 1914. 

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A war hero and an ingenious inventor

By the side of his brother Léon Coupet, he serves in squadron F 25, specialized in bombing and reconnaissance missions. Together, they accomplish nearly 160 missions, which 145 at night, a true feat at the time. Still in innovation quest, the Coupet brothers developed a tour equipped of a Hotchkiss machine gun of 8mm, thus improving the aviation armaments. 

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Their bravery suddenly ends on the 7th of July 1917, when their machine is taken down near Trèves, in Germany. Made prisonniers, they stayed in captivity until the end of war. The step doesn't start the aviation passion for Lucien Coupet

 

An exeptional career in civil aviation

From 1919, Lucien Coupet join the well known Farman society, where he became a test pilote. He participate actively to the development of various machine and makes many notables records, notably :

• 28th of April 1931 : Altitude record of 2 000 kg weight, reaching 7 507 metres.

• He stands out by his precision and his audacity, participating to the technological advances at the time.

 

In 1949, he goes towards the test aerodrome of Melun-Villaroche, where he supervise aeronautics prototypes tests until his retirement in 1955.

 

A deserved recognition

For his heroic acts and his fabulous contribution to aeronotics, Lucien Coupet received the Military Medal, and the Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 with seven palms, and he is elevated to the rank of  Grand Officier de la Légion d’honneur.

He pass away on the 16th of. January 1969 at Châteaufort, in the Yvelines, after a life dedicated to aviation. In Issoudun, his memory stays alive, notably thanks to the street Lucien Coupet, which honors his fabulous journey and his attachment to his birth town. 

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A legacy that stays

Lucien Coupet stay a proud memory for Issoudun and an exemple of audacity and innovation. His inspirating  jouney  shows the passion and determination of a man ready to take all challenges.