US Aircoach

  1949* to 1956

  United States of America

TYPE: Non-scheduled airline

IATA/ICAO CODES: Nil

HEADQUARTERS: Burbank, CA

FORMER NAME: Nil

SUBSEQUENT NAME: Nil

US Aircoach was founded in 1949 by Louis Powell and Wyman Reynolds out of Burbank, CA. In May 1952, the company was purchased by Fritz Hutcheson, a businessman with interests in the timber industry. Hutcheson rented several airplanes from the Flying Tiger Line, including Commandos. However, by 15 October 1953, US Aircoach had failed to pay the lease to Flying Tigers, with $52,000 due. By then, Hutcheson had apparently secured new contracts, and he promised Flying Tigers shares in US Aircoach, should he fail to pay the rental bill. Further credit was extended until US Aircoach ceased operations on 5 December 1953. By that time, Hutcheson had withdrawn all of the cash from his company, and Flying Tigers successfully sued him personally for the $72,946 aircraft rental bill.

October 1952* to December 1953

US Aircoach operated a Commando leased from Flying Tigers.

• Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando: N4860V (leased)