Higgins Industries of New Orleans, shipbuilder, formed Higgins Aircraft 1942 to build USAAF transports. First contract, for 500 C-76, was cancelled and replaced by contract for 500 C-46; this in turn was cancelled 1944, but 2 almost complete C-46 were delivered. In 1943 Higgins Industries formed Helicopter Division to develop helicopters designed by Enea Bossi; 2-seater was built and twin-engined 4-seater started when all work abandoned 1946.