Beech Aircraft Corporation

American corporation

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July 16, 2026

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Beech Aircraft Corporation was a prominent American manufacturer of business and military airplanes, founded in 1932 by Walter H. Beech and his wife, Olive Ann Beech. Olive Ann Beech became the first woman to lead a Fortune 500 company when she took over as president and chairman of the board in 1950, following her husband's death.1

During World War II, Beech Aircraft significantly expanded its production for military use. After the war, the company continued to produce civilian aircraft and also engaged in subcontracting for other aerospace companies and work in the space exploration industry. Beech Aircraft was purchased by the Raytheon Company in 1980.1

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Olive Ann Beech
…of the board (1950–82) of Beech Aircraft Corporation, a major manufacturer of business and military airplanes founded by her and her husband, Walter H. Beech. She was the first woman to lead a Fortune 500 company.
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…of the board (1950–82) of Beech Aircraft Corporation, a major manufacturer of business and military airplanes founded by her and her husband, Walter H. Beech. She was the first woman to lead a Fortune 500 company.
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RTX Corporation
Diversification into civil aviation
In 1980, Raytheon acquired Beech Aircraft Corporation, a leading manufacturer of general aviation aircraft founded in 1932 by Walter H. Beech. Raytheon expanded its aircraft activities by adding the Hawker line of business jets through the acquisition in 1993 of Corporate Jets Inc. from British Aerospace (now BAE Systems).
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In 1980, Raytheon acquired Beech Aircraft Corporation, a leading manufacturer of general aviation aircraft founded in 1932 by Walter H. Beech. Raytheon expanded its aircraft activities by adding the Hawker line of business jets through the acquisition in 1993 of Corporate Jets Inc. from British Aerospace (now BAE Systems).
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Richard Ten Eyck
…offer of employment from the Beech Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. He worked for Beech until 1948, when he opened his own design practice, located in Wichita. It flourished for almost 50 years, until his retirement to Orlando, Florida.
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…offer of employment from the Beech Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. He worked for Beech until 1948, when he opened his own design practice, located in Wichita. It flourished for almost 50 years, until his retirement to Orlando, Florida.
Read More