Walter Beech (1891-1950) was an aviator and aircraft manufacturer.

In 1932, after serving as a pilot in the U.S. Army, working as a test pilot and organizing his first company, Travel Air, he founded the Beech Aircraft Company, which incorporated in 1936.

Beech produced the “Rolls Royce” of aircraft, the UC-43 Staggerwing, a superb aircraft in both payload and speed and a toy of the wealthy until commandeered by the military for WWII.
During WWII, the company produced more than 7,000 planes, including the well-known Model 18 with its twin engines.

Beech aircraft in the Yank’s collection include the UC-43 Staggerwing.