Mike Coutches

[T J Johansen]

Just saw this over on Mustangsmustangs.com

One of the key people to fuel the civilian P-51 market in the late 1950's, Michael Coutches has gone west at age 92. Coutches ran his aircraft busines, American Aircraft Sales out of Hayward CA. They had recently moved it over the hill to Livermore. He bought surplus P-51s from McClellan AFB in Sacramento. He maintained, flew, upgraded and then sold them to civilian owners starting in the late 50's. Coutches has 2 P-51s in flying condition and a P-51H in the early stages of restoration. His son Steve has been doing the flying duties for many years.

Some of the P-51s he has owned: N2972D, he bought surplus from McClellan in September 1957. He also bought 45-11559 surplus from McClellan in December 1977 for $826! He owned yet to be Air Race Champion "Voodoo" in 1969. He also owned another Air Race Champion, "Dago Red" before it became such. The list goes on.

His flying P-51H, 44-64314, he purchased from William Hogan in 1966. His other P-51H, 44-64203, he kept at his home away form the public - only a few knew of it until the last 2 years when they published photos and info about it. Considered one of the civilian P-51 and warbird market pioneers in the late 50's, Michael Coutches of Hayward CA, Gone West Sep 10 2016. Condolences to his family and friends.

T J

[Jesse C.]

We are losing vets everyday and now the Warbird Pioneers.

History is fading fast.

Condolences to his family and friends

Vaya Con Dios

[Neal Nurmi]

He was a character, and a very important figure in Warbird preservation history. I sure have enjoyed seeing the -H over the years.

Blue skies and tailwinds...

[Jerry O'Neill]

Blue skies, Mr. Coutches, and thank you.

[Lon Moer]

Mustangsmustangs.com

P-51 Buyer/Seller/Owner Mike Coutches Gone West at Age 92
Sep 10 2016
One of the key people to fuel the civilian P-51 market in the late 1950's, Michael Coutches has gone west at age 92. Coutches ran his aircraft busines, American Aircraft Sales out of Hayward CA. They had recently moved it over the hill to Livermore. He bought surplus P-51s from McClellan AFB in Sacramento. He maintained, flew, upgraded and then sold them to civilian owners starting in the late 50's. Coutches has 2 P-51s in flying condition and a P-51H in the early stages of restoration. His son Steve has been doing the flying duties for many years.

Some of the P-51s he has owned: N2972D, he bought surplus from McClellan in September 1957. He also bought 45-11559 surplus from McClellan in December 1977 for $826! He owned yet to be Air Race Champion "Voodoo" in 1969. He also owned another Air Race Champion, "Dago Red" before it became such. The list goes on.

His flying P-51H, 44-64314, he purchased from William Hogan in 1966. His other P-51H, 44-64203, he kept at his home away form the public - only a few knew of it until the last 2 years when they published photos and info about it. Considered one of the civilian P-51 and warbird market pioneers in the late 50's, Michael Coutches of Hayward CA, Gone West Sep 10 2016. Condolences to his family and friends.

Mike also had some involvement in air racing. He brought the Bearcat to Reno a couple years (but didn't race) in the '60s and he did race the H Mustang in the 1970 California 1000 at Mojave, finished 19th.

As well as the Mustangs, several Bearcats and a dozen Hellcats passed through Coutches business, too.

[Zac Yates]

Sad news. I've been reading a lot of Mustang stuff recently and Mike's name came up quite often. He's left a real legacy.

[Taigh Ramey]

Most impressive life sir. It was an honor to meet you. Thank you for saving so many warbirds.

[O.P.]

I met his son and his grandson a couple of times and got to talk to his wife for a couple of hours over at Hayward at the business. All great People. Never met him. It's good for me, and us that there is families like that, and they spent some time with a nobody like me.

Thanks Mr Coutches , and thanks to all of your family who treated a no load like me like a big shot.