1887-1914 |
via email from Adrien Tousch, 6-18-07 In a recent reading ("Deux grand chevaliers de l'aventure : Marc Pourpe et Raoul Lufbéry" [something like "Two important knights of the adventure : Marc Pourpe and Raoul Lufbéry] by Jacque Mortane, published by Baudinière in the early 30's), an Alfred Lenlanc was mentioned p.199 as director of Louis Blériot's firm, around 1913-1914. Marc Pourpe, a now quite forgotten french aviator, but who did pretty well around 1911-1914, and that died at the beginning of WW1 in the air, asked him for a plane, needed for raid in Egypt. Finally, he had to go to Léon Morane's firm to obtain one... despite the huge publicity he made for Blériot's plane in exhibitions and succesfull raids in Asia, especially in Singapore and French Indochina. I Hope you will find this information to be useful. Regards, Adrien Tousch |
via email from Pete Jones, 7-16-09 Marc Pourpe was born in 1887, (still haven't the month and day), and died December 2 1914, (his wikipedia). He was the son of a famous lady of Europe, a 'courtesan' one would say to be polite, named Liane De Pougy. I don't know the extent of Liane's adventures, although I do know what a courtesan is, but she sounds like a very interesting person in her own right. For more reading, I've linked their Wikipedia articles below: Marc Pourpe Liane de Pougy cheers Ralph, Pete |
A work in progress by Bill & Sheila Jackson, 7-29-06 My name is Bill Jackson. My wife, Sheila, and I have been working on a biography of Raoul Lufbery since 2003. We have set out to tell his entire life story, not just his war record. We have traveled about the US and to France in the quest for the true facts of his life, a search we continue as we are now writing the book. We have been in touch with various members of the Lufbery family in the US and in France, and they have been very gracious sharing what they know. We will be launching a web site soon "RaoulLufbery.com" that will reveal some of what we have found, and also post questions we are still trying to answer. Let me address a few facts in response to the short bio on your site, as well as the posts from other visitors: |
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I found this to be an innovative use of the interview technique. It is easy to imagine that the interview is happening in real time and it offers a very incisive report of Lufbery's exploits and those of his good friend, Marc Pourpe as extracted from the historical record. It is available in two parts and I am sure you will want to read the second installment. You can access the site by clicking on the title above. |
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Part 1 If time permits, I suggest that you visit the homepage of the Museum and enjoy some of its many features. |
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Allied Aviation of World War I A Pictorial History of Allied Aviators and Aircraft of the Great War Hugh W. Cowin Product Details Paperback: 96 pages Publisher: Osprey Publishing, 2000 Used & New: $5.95 ISBN 1-84176-226-1 |
Extract from the book, Allied Aviation of World War I by Hugh W. Cowin courtesy of Bob Davis, 9-8-05 Two years on and Lufbery's path crosses that of French pilot, Marc Pourpe, who hired Lufbery as the mechanic for his Bleriot. At the outbreak of the war both men were still together and by now, back in France. Pourpe volunteered and with his previous flying experience soon found himself with Escadrille N 23. Initially rejected as a foreigner by the French authorities, Lufbery was contemplating joining the French Foreign Legion when Pourpe, in need of a tried and trusted mechanic, intervened on his behalf. Sadly, shortly after rejoining Pourpe, his benefactor was killed. During the late spring of 1915, Lufbery was selected for pilot training, gaining his 'wings' on 29 July 1915. His introduction to combat came in October 1915 piloting two seater Voisins with Escadrille VB 106. Happily for Lufbery, he was selected for single seaters early in 1916 and following type conversion training joined the Nieuport II - equipped Escadrille Lafayette on 24 May 1916. French-led, this unit was manned by American volunteer pilots. Here, within the space of less than five months, Lufbery made his mark by becoming an ace, that is having amassed the necessary five 'kills,' on 12 October 1916. Commissioned in early 1917, Lufbery continued flying for the French with the Escadrille Lafayette until January 1918, when th eunit and its personnel were transferred to the American Expeditionary Forces's control. By now holding the US rank of major, Lufbery was given command of th e94th Aero, equipped with Nieuport 28s. The unit became operational on 19 March 1918 and two months later Raoul Lufbery was killed after falling from his blazing Nieuport 11 on 19 May 1918." |
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Editor's Note: If you have any information on this pioneer aviator please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper |
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