Balloon Buster Extraordinaire by Stan Stokes.

The leading Belgian ace of WW I, Willy Coppens de Houthhulst, was born on July 6, 1882 at Watermael Belgium. The son of a successful artist, Willy was called up for military service in 1912. After several years in the infantry, Willy was able to join the air arm as a pupil pilot in 1915. He went to Britain for his flight training where he met Albert Ball. He earned his wings and returned to Belgium for advanced flight training at Etampes. Finally, he was posted to No. 6 Squadron flying the B.E. 2C on reconnaissance missions. He experienced his first aerial combat in May of 1917 when he survived an attack by four German fighters. Still disappointed about being in a reconnaissance unit, Willy was delighted in 1917 when he was transferred to Fighter Escadrille No. 1 based at Les Moeres airfield. Initially flying Neuport Scouts, the unit was re-equipped with a capable French-made single seat fighter, the Hanriot HD.1. Designed by M. Dupont in 1916, the HD.1 was a single-seat, staggered-wing, biplane powered by a 120-HP Le Rhone rotary engine. The HD.1 had an interesting open fronted cowling, and metal panels reached as far back as the cockpit. In standard configuration the HD.1 was armed with only a single Vickers machine gun, and was capable of 114-MPH. This lack of fire power caused many of the Italian pilots who flew the HD.1, including the top Italian ace to survive the War, to add a second gun. Although generally ignored in France, more than 800 were built for the Italians and more than 100 for the Belgians during WW I. Throughout the winter of 1917-18 Coppens had no meaningful enemy engagements. However, on March 18, 1918 he agreed to attack an enemy balloon. These attacks were not easy because observation balloons were almost always protected by anti-aircraft batteries. His first attack was unsuccessful, and the young pilot learned that he must get special incendiary bullets, if future attacks were to succeed. On April 11 he attained his first victory over a German fighter. In May, Coppens received a very small allocation of incendiary bullets. He decided that he would fire only four bullets at a time, and would fire only from very close range. This formula proved unstoppable for the young pilot who went on to attain 36 more victories during the remainder of 1918, making Coppens clearly the Balloon Buster Extraordinaire. Working in the Houthulst Forest region, Coppens would pounce almost every time the Germans put up an observation balloon. In September of 1918 he was awarded the Legion of Honour from Georges Clemenceau. The balloon busting ace decided to repaint his Hanriot from green to blue, because the original color reminded him of a toy snake. On October 14th, following a successful balloon attack, Coppens was hit with shrapnel. He managed to crash land his aircraft behind his own lines and he was rushed to a hospital where one of his legs was amputated. Coppens continued to fly after the War, and he also served as Belgian Air Attaché in London. He retired to Switzerland at the time the Germans invaded Belgium in 1940.

Signed limited edition of 4750 prints. Print size 16 inches x 11.5 inches (41cm x 30cm) Supplied with signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.. Price £40.00

Part of our Buy One, Get One Half Price Offer

ITEM CODE STK0010

Sous-Lieutenant Willy Coppens – Roasting A Sausage by Ivan Berryman.

During an amazing spree of balloon-busting during 1918, Willy Coppens gained notoriety over the Western Front for his sheer daring and marksmanship, sending no fewer than 35 observation balloons plummeting to the ground, as well as two aircraft. Here, Coppens despatches a Drachen balloon flying his modified Hanriot HD.1 No23 which he had painted blue because he so disliked the ugly, bad camouflage in which it was delivered. Despite losing a leg whilst downing his final two balloons, Coppens survived the war and lived a full life until his death in December 1986.

Signed limited edition of 200 giclee paper prints. Image size 26 inches x 17 inches (66cm x 43cm. Price £150.00

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Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 26 inches x 17 inches (66cm x 43cm). Price £180.00

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Small limited edition of 20 artist proofs. Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 20cm). Price £60.00

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Small limited edition of 30 prints. Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 20cm). Price £51.00

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Save £5 on selected prints - Was £56

Willy Coppens Aces Edition of 5 prints, featuring the original mounted signature of Willy Coppens. Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 20cm). Price £200.00

Signed by Willy Coppens (deceased).

Limited edition of up to 50 giclee canvas prints. Size 36 inches x 24 inches (91cm x 61cm). Price £480.00

£110 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £590

£90 Off Selected Giclee Canvas Prints - Was £460

Original painting, oil on canvas by Ivan Berryman. Size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £

Remarque edition - limited edition of 10 giclee prints featuring an original pencil remarque. Image size 26 inches x 17 inches (66cm x 43cm) plus border with text and remarque drawing.. Price £350.00

ITEM CODE DHM1680