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Blue Skies to Mike Coutches

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  • Blue Skies to Mike Coutches

    T J Johansen posted on WIX that Curtis Fowles had posted the news on mustangsmustangs;
    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 1970 in the California 1000 at Mojave, finished 19th.

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

    remember the Oogahonk!

    old school enthusiast of Civiltary Warbirds and Air Racers

  • #2
    Re: Blue Skies to Mike Coutches

    Originally posted by Lon Moer View Post

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

    Yes, my Dad purchased the wreckage of N1031B from Mike before it became N777L.
    John
    John Slack

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    • #3
      Re: Blue Skies to Mike Coutches

      We were having a discussion the other day about Mike...and we're pretty sure that every Mustang ever flown at one point was owned by him....possibly multiple times. Definitely a wheeler-dealer.

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