Rich International  Airways   Curtiss C-46  N74173                 (c/n   289)

                           

                                Founded by Jean Rich in 1969, Rich International began services with charter and freight
                                flights mainly between Miami and Caribbean points.  Initially Beech 18s and Curtiss C-46
                                comprised the fleet, an example of the latter being N74173 seen above at Miami, circa
                                1977.   Capacity was later increased by the acquisition of DC-6 and DC-8 freighters.
                                Over expansion, particular with passenger operations forced the company into Chapter 11
                                in 1984.  Reinstated in 1991 the airline acquired Lockheed 1011 Tristars and began flights
                                to Europe.   The airline was grounded in September 1996 allegedly for maintenance and
                                safety issues and liquidated in 1997.  .(In retrospect, the FAA may have over-reacted
                                caused by the crash of the Valuejet DC-9 in the Everglades, but in the event, it was too
                                much for Rich and they called it quits).