Bearcat barn find

Taigh Ramey · **Posted:** Sat Mar 28, 2015 12:56 pm

Just kidding about the barn part although she is a true time capsule and a tribute to Mike Coutches' restoration work many decades ago. beautifully preserved she came out in the sun for a rare appearance. Awesome Mike!

For those of you with a sharp eye you can see that this is a rare version of the Bearcat built under license by Beechcraft

Triplane102 · **Joined:** Wed Oct 15, 2014 12:55 pm **Posts:** 491

Thanks for posting those pics Taigh, & to Mr Coutches , I Never get tired of looking at her! Very Cool ! Love the Beechcraft part ! :lol:

BenG · **Posted:** Sat Mar 28, 2015 1:15 pm

She looks very, very nice Taigh.

Thanks for sharing & posting this nice pics, Bearcats in civilian colors are very rare nowadays.

BGT

Lon Moer · **Posted:** Sat Mar 28, 2015 1:18 pm

I love the post-war civilian paint jobs and this has been my favorite Bearcat since the '70s.

I'm glad that its finally been out and being seen

, unfortunately it is now for sale and somebody is going to ruin it into another fauxbird.

Lon Moer · **Posted:** Sat Mar 28, 2015 1:28 pm

Here is the "For Sale" ad in the InFlight newspaper.

okay, that's too big, so here's a link;
American Aircraft Sales

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Sat Mar 28, 2015 3:59 pm

I guess the F-6 Hellcat will be next??

Taigh, did you get a picture of it by chance??

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:54 am

Lon Moer wrote:

I love the post-war civilian paint jobs and this has been my favorite Bearcat since the '70s.

I'm glad that its finally been out and being seen

, unfortunately it is now for sale and somebody is going to ruin it into another fauxbird.

We can only hope that won't happen!

airnutz · **Posted:** Mon Mar 30, 2015 3:18 pm

Warbird Kid wrote:

Lon Moer wrote:

I love the post-war civilian paint jobs and this has been my favorite Bearcat since the '70s.

I'm glad that its finally been out and being seen

, unfortunately it is now for sale and somebody is going to ruin it into another fauxbird.

We can only hope that won't happen!

Ditto, I'll second that. With a good detailing and a polish it'd be a unique blast to the past. Set it next to a black/gold Mustang...maybe another Bear in Fornof colors...and/or whatever else would be nice splash of color in the Warbird row.

Lon Moer · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 2:19 pm

Taigh Ramey wrote:

Taigh,
AvDB lists this Bearcat as having 2 seats. Is there a back seat in it?

PinecastleAAF · **Joined:** Fri May 25, 2007 4:50 pm **Posts:** 1027

Quote:

unfortunately it is now for sale and somebody is going to ruin it into another fauxbird.

Maybe not some people are starting to appreciate civil history. Hopefully the new owner will think outside the Blue Bearcat box.

It takes time.

Dave Hadfield · **Joined:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:31 pm **Posts:** 1672

So, is there really a Hellcat in this collection that is coming up for sale?

And although I am able to access the link to the advertisement, I can't seem to find the listing on the Internet, or the contact details.

Dave

BenG · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 4:00 pm

Dave, please try: http://www.americanaircraft.net
Hellcat is registered with the FAA: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry ... rtxt=7861C

Also from Geoff Goodall Warbirds Directory:

A-12137• F6F-5 Bu94385 N7861C Michael E. Coutches, Hayward CA 61
Tom O'Connor/ CAF, Victoria TX 9.61/66
(CofA issued 10.1.62)
Henry L. Gardner/ CAF, Victoria TX 69/70
wheels-up landing, dest. by fire, Victoria TX 12.10.69
Michael E. Coutches/ American Aircraft Sales,
Hayward CA (wreck) 24.8.71/14

BGT

PS: Taigh, you've a PM...

Fouga23 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 4:26 pm

Looks good for "destroyed by fire"!
*edit* Helcat, Bearcat, nevermind. I'm tired :p

Lon Moer · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 8:46 pm

I'm finding this picture funny - (nope, just oblivious :shock:

)

Th inboard of the wings and the rear horizontals are THICK with dust, but the outer wing panels are not, because it was stored with the wings folded.
http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/000035770.html

and I love the way the wingtips are painted to make them look elliptical.

maxum96 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:25 pm

Lon Moer wrote:

I'm finding this picture funny - for more than the baby stroller.

Not sure if you were trying to make a joke about Mike Coutches, but that's not a stroller. It's someone pushing his wheelchair in the above picture.

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