Flew with the White Russians in battles against the bolsheviks.
1927 - served as an observer in the Aviation Regiment, with rank of 1st Lieutenant.
September 21, 1928 - makes his first solo flight (Letov S.16)
May 25, 1930 - participates in the Aviation Festival at Riga/Spilve.
August 30 - Sept.7, 1930 - Participates in the Goodwill flight around Europe. He flew
Letov S.16 #59K with Col. J.Indans flying as his observer.
June 5, 1932 - Participated in the Aviation Festival at Riga/Spilve.
May 28, 1933 - Participated in the Aviation Festival at Riga/Spilve.
March 13-14, 1935 - Participates in the aviation promotion flights around Latgale.
Sept. 8, 1935 - Participated in the Aviation Festival at Riga/Spilve.
May 19, 1936 - passenger in DH9A #1 being flown by S.Babicevs which crashed after failing to reach
sufficient takeoff speed.
October, 1938 - Commander of the 7th Long-Range Recon Squadron, based at Krustpils. (Rank: Captain)
September 1939 - Commander of the 4th Fighter Squadron being assembled in Riga.
After the war, Eriks Mellups emigrated to the USA.
July 18, 1983 - Died, in the USA.
Sources
- Latvijas Aviacijas Vesture Edvins Bruvelis
- Latvijas Kareivis May 22, 1930
- Sparnota Latvija No.55, January 1939.
- Marker photo courtesy of B.Rouse.