Bearcat barn find

[Taigh Ramey]

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]

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

Last edited by Triplane102 on Sat Mar 28, 2015 1:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[BenG]

She looks very, very nice Taigh.

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

BGT

[Lon Moer]

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]

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]

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

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

[Warbird Kid]

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]

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]

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

[PinecastleAAF]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Lon Moer]

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



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.

Last edited by Lon Moer on Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[maxum96]

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.