Walter Herschel Beech (January 30, 1891 – November 29, 1950) was an American aviator and early aviation entrepreneur who co-founded the Beech Aircraft Company (now called Beechcraft) in 1932 with his wife, Olive Ann Beech, and a team of three others.

Walter H. Beech. Aviator, airplane manufacturer. Born: January 30, 1891, near Pulaski, Tennessee. Married: Olive Ann Mellor, 1930. Died: November 29, 1950, Wichita, Kansas. Walter Beech, among others, is regarded as a founder of the aircraft industry in Wichita.

Walter Herschel Beech was founder, president and board chairman of the Beech Aircraft Company. He was born on January 30, 1891 in Pulaski, TN. Beech landed at Tucson, arriving from Alamagordo, NM, on the morning of September 8, 1928.

Walter Beech suffered a fatal heart attack, bringing a close to a chapter in aviation history. Friends in the industry eulogized Walter Beech as one of America's finest aircraft designers and industrialists. A shocked and saddened Wichita laid to rest one of its most illustrious citizens.

Jan 13, 2016 · In 1925, Cessna and another man named Lloyd Stearman created an airplane company along with a young test pilot named Walter Beech. Walter Beech came from a farm in Tennessee. He built a glider at the age of 14 and served …

Apr 20, 2008 · After nearly 31 years as a driving force in American aeronautics, Walter H. Beech succumbed to a heart attack on November 19, 1950. During his lifetime Walter had distinguished himself as a pilot, salesman, and perhaps most important of all, a savvy entrepreneur who was not afraid to take risks.

Walter Herschel Beech began his illustrious career in aviation by building a glider of his own design at age 14. Becoming a rated U.S. Army aviator in 1917, he later joined the Swallow Airplane Company, where he quickly rose from test pilot to general manager.

In 1927 the Beech cabin planes made the first commercial flight from California to Hawaii and won the Dole Air Derby. Served as Vice President of Travel Air when it merged with the Curtiss-Wright corporation until it’s shutdown as a result of the Great Depression.

Walter Herschel Beech began his illustrious career in aviation by building a glider of his own design at age 14. A rated U.S. army aviator in 1917, he later joined the Swallow Airplane Company where he quickly rose from test pilot to General Manager.

Walter Herschel Beech began an illustrious career in aviation with a solo flight on July 11, 1914, in a Curtiss pusher. A rated Army aviator and flight instructor in 1917, he barnstormed after his enlistment ended in 1920, finally joining the Swallow Company in 1923, where he quickly rose from designer, salesman, and test pilot to general manager.

Aug 2, 2024 · Beechcraft was founded in 1932 by Walter Beech, Olive Ann Beech, and Ted A. Wells. The company has produced iconic aircraft models like the Staggerwing, Bonanza, and King Air. Ownership changes, such as Raytheon and Textron Aviation, shaped Beechcraft's evolution and current aircraft lineup.

Walter Beech began a long and distinguished career in aviation at the early age of 14, when he built a glider of his own design. Then, after flying for the U.S. Army during World War I, he joined the Swallow Airplane Company as a test pilot.

In the mid 1920s, young WWI veteran and bold barnstormer, Walter H. Beech became one of the early leaders of the growing airplane industry. Walter and his wife, Olive Ann, founded the Beech Aircraft Company in 1932 and created a legacy of general aviation aircraft known for safety, dependability, beauty and speed.

Jul 1, 2006 · Walter Beech died in 1950, long before the Barons became a reality, though somehow, you can't help but think he'd be pleased with the latest iteration of the world's premier medium-piston twin.

Walter and Olive Beech. Walter Beech (1891 – 1950) Olive Beech (1904 – 1993) He built a glider at age 14; He was test pilot, instructor, and engineer for the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War I; They started Beech Aircraft Company in Wichita in 1932; When he became ill, she ran company during World War II; She later oversaw the company ...

Dec 27, 2013 · Walter and Olive Ann Beech founded Beech Aircraft in 1932. Courtesy Photo. Beechcraft Corp. – which was purchased this week by Textron, the parent company of Cessna Aircraft – can trace...

Walter Beech was chiefly responsible for giving the young woman from Arkansas her start in aeronautics. She made him proud in 1929 by winning her division of the Women’s Air Derby, and in 1936, with Blanche Noyes as co-pilot, she was the first woman to win the Bendix cross-country race, flying a nearly stock Beechcraft C17R.

Jan 5, 2019 · In 1929 Walter Herschel Beech played a key role in merging the Travel Air Company into the giant Curtiss-Wright Corporation. At age 38 he was among an elite group of young executives destined to become future leaders of America’s aviation industry.

Walter H. Beech died on November 29, 1950. He was inducted into the International Aerospace Hall of Fame in 1982, and into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 1987. Beech Aircraft became a subsidiary of Raytheon in 1980, and is now operated as Hawker Beechcraft Inc.

Oct 24, 2010 · Walter Beech came to Wichita in 1921 when he was hired as a pilot and demonstrator for the Wichita Airplane Co. He was adept at competing and winning flying contests. In 1924, Beech...