| This Mustang at the the time of this picture which I would say is around 1997 maybe 98 As it sits in the photo taken at Hayward, CA (sitting next to a Bearcat) Belonged to Mike Coutches and was soon to be purchesed by the present owner Chris Gruys out of Santa Fe NM. N5448V. I know this aircraft very well because my father attempted to buy it from Coutches back in 1971 I was fourteen at the time and have been in love with the A/C ever sense. Love any Mustang for that matter. This is the same Mustang that was stolen from a storage site in Tonapha maybe mid to late 80's. It was being stored there because it was supposedly still being held for my father as he was trying to come up with the remainder of the note which was at the time $43,000. That's what was owed after a 5,000 deposit was given to Coutches from my father. My dad never was able to satisfy the note (hard times) and Mike just sold the airplane eventually, to his credit he tried to hold on to it for many years yet my dad never saw any of his deposit back that's for sure. I've sinse been blessed to fly Lady Jo and get front seat comfortable with Dan Vance but It's been a life long dream to fly 'ol 48V one day. Who knows maybe Chris will allow me the honore one day. Thank you for allowing me to ramble on a while, great web site guys. Take care. Steve Richards |
