Waco Aircraft Company
Encyclopedia
Troy, Ohio
* - Sports :In addition to Troy High School athletics, Troy is home to the Miami Valley Silverbacks indoor football team of the Continental Indoor Football League....
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Between 1919 and 1947, the company produced a wide range of civilian biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
s.
The company initially started under the name Weaver Aircraft Company of Ohio but changed its name to the Waco Aircraft Company in 1928/29.
Company name
WACO (referring to the aircraft) is usually pronounced "wah-co" (the first syllable pronounced as in "water"), not "way-co" like Waco, TexasWaco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
, whose name is entirely unrelated. The name comes from a field near Troy, Ohio - Waco field, which in turn received its name from a local war-cry, which had several variations. Although an acronym, the company was universally referred to as "Waco".
Several companies operated under the Waco name, with the first company being the Weaver Aircraft Company, a firm founded by George E. Weaver, Clayton Bruckner, and Elwood Junkin in 1920 in Lorain
Lorain, Ohio
Lorain is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Black River, about 30 miles west of Cleveland....
and Medina, Ohio
Medina, Ohio
In the city the population was spread out with 29.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males...
after they had already been collaborating for several years. In the spring of 1923 this became the Advance Aircraft Company in Troy, Ohio
Troy, Ohio
* - Sports :In addition to Troy High School athletics, Troy is home to the Miami Valley Silverbacks indoor football team of the Continental Indoor Football League....
, after the departure of Weaver.
At some point (when is not at all clear from the records but 1928 or 1929) it was changed from Advance Aircraft Company to Waco Aircraft Company. The firm is often confused with Western Aviation Company, the name of four unrelated aircraft enterprises in Chicago, Illinois; San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
; and Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
.
History
Waco's history started in 1919 when businessmen Clayton J. Brukner and Elwood Junkin met barnstormingBarnstorming
Barnstorming was a popular form of entertainment in the 1920s in which stunt pilots would perform tricks with airplanes, either individually or in groups called a flying circus. Barnstorming was the first major form of civil aviation in the history of flight...
pilots Charley Meyers and George Weaver. Although their initial floatplane
Floatplane
A floatplane is a type of seaplane, with slender pontoons mounted under the fuselage; only the floats of a floatplane normally come into contact with water, with the fuselage remaining above water...
design was a failure, they went on to found the Waco company in 1920 and established themselves as producers of reliable, rugged planes that were popular with travelling businessmen, postal services and explorers, especially after the company began producing closed-cabin biplane models after 1930 in addition to the open cockpit biplanes.
The Waco name was extremely well represented in the US civil aircraft registry between the wars, with more Wacos registered than the aircraft of any other company. Production types including open cockpit biplanes, cabin biplanes and cabin sesquiplanes (known by Waco as Custom Cabins) as well as numerous experimental types.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Waco produced large numbers of military glider
Military glider
Military gliders have been used by the military of various countries for carrying troops and heavy equipment to a combat zone, mainly during the Second World War. These engineless aircraft were towed into the air and most of the way to their target by military transport planes, e.g...
s for the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
and US Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
for airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
operations, especially during the Normandy Invasion and Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation, fought in the Netherlands and Germany in the Second World War. It was the largest airborne operation up to that time....
. The Waco CG-4
Waco CG-4
The Waco CG-4 was the most widely used United States troop/cargo military glider of World War II. It was designated the CG-4 by the United States Army Air Forces, and named Hadrian in British military service....
was the most numerous of their glider designs to be produced. At the same time Waco produced over 600 of its UPF-7
Waco F series
-External links:*...
open biplanes and 21 VKS-7F cabin biplanes for the Civilian Pilot Training Program
Civilian Pilot Training Program
The Civilian Pilot Training Program was a flight training program sponsored by the United States government with the stated purpose of increasing the number of civilian pilots, though having a clear impact on military preparedness....
, which supplemented the output of the military training establishments. 42 privately-owned models of sixteen types were impressed into service as light transports and utility aircraft with the USAAF under the common designation C-72/UC-72
Waco C-72
C-72 was a blanket designation given to a variety of privately owned Waco enclosed-cabin biplanes impressed into service by the United States Army Air Forces in 1942. In all, 42 aircraft were taken and used for light transport duty wherever needed.-Variants:...
.
The Waco company ceased operations in 1947, having suffered the fate of a number of general aviation companies when an anticipated boom in aviation following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
failed to develop.
The final Waco relied on an experimental Franklin engine which, with the cancellation of other contracts became so expensive the Aristocraft that relied on it was cancelled.
The Waco name was briefly revived for a scheme to produce a series of Italian lightplanes under licence in the US.
The WACO Classic Aircraft
WACO Classic Aircraft
WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation, founded in 1983 as the Classic Aircraft Corporation and located in Battle Creek, Michigan, is a manufacturer of general aviation airplanes....
company (unrelated to the original Waco) began building its WACO Classic YMF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
in 1986, an upgraded version based on Waco's original type certified design.
A large number of survivors exist, with the largest single collection residing at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum
Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum
The Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum, located at Creve Coeur Airport in Maryland Heights, Missouri, is a museum dedicated to restoring and preserving historical aircraft. The airplanes in the collection are all fabric-covered, and most are biplanes from the inter-war years...
at Dauster Field, Creve Coeur, near St Louis, Missouri..
Models
Note: Waco civilian designations describe the configuration of the aircraft. The first letter lists the engine used, the second the specific type, and the third the general series. The coding system was changed in 1929 with several letters reassigned, and later with the introduction of the Custom Cabin series, the third letter 'C' was initially replaced with C-S (Cabin-Standard) and finally S.Troy, Ohio
* - Sports :In addition to Troy High School athletics, Troy is home to the Miami Valley Silverbacks indoor football team of the Continental Indoor Football League....
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Between 1919 and 1947, the company produced a wide range of civilian biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
s.
The company initially started under the name Weaver Aircraft Company of Ohio but changed its name to the Waco Aircraft Company in 1928/29.
Company name
WACO (referring to the aircraft) is usually pronounced "wah-co"Kobernuss, P.4 (the first syllable pronounced as in "water"), not "way-co" like Waco, TexasWaco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
, whose name is entirely unrelated. The name comes from a field near Troy, Ohio - Waco field, which in turn received its name from a local war-cry, which had several variations. Although an acronym, the company was universally referred to as "Waco".
Several companies operated under the Waco name, with the first company being the Weaver Aircraft Company, a firm founded by George E. Weaver, Clayton Bruckner, and Elwood Junkin in 1920 in Lorain
Lorain, Ohio
Lorain is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Black River, about 30 miles west of Cleveland....
and Medina, Ohio
Medina, Ohio
In the city the population was spread out with 29.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males...
after they had already been collaborating for several years. In the spring of 1923 this became the Advance Aircraft Company in Troy, Ohio
Troy, Ohio
* - Sports :In addition to Troy High School athletics, Troy is home to the Miami Valley Silverbacks indoor football team of the Continental Indoor Football League....
, after the departure of Weaver.
At some point (when is not at all clear from the records but 1928 or 1929) it was changed from Advance Aircraft Company to Waco Aircraft Company. The firm is often confused with Western Aviation Company, the name of four unrelated aircraft enterprises in Chicago, Illinois; San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
; and Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
.
History
Waco's history started in 1919 when businessmen Clayton J. Brukner and Elwood Junkin met barnstormingBarnstorming
Barnstorming was a popular form of entertainment in the 1920s in which stunt pilots would perform tricks with airplanes, either individually or in groups called a flying circus. Barnstorming was the first major form of civil aviation in the history of flight...
pilots Charley Meyers and George Weaver. Although their initial floatplane
Floatplane
A floatplane is a type of seaplane, with slender pontoons mounted under the fuselage; only the floats of a floatplane normally come into contact with water, with the fuselage remaining above water...
design was a failure, they went on to found the Waco company in 1920 and established themselves as producers of reliable, rugged planes that were popular with travelling businessmen, postal services and explorers, especially after the company began producing closed-cabin biplane models after 1930 in addition to the open cockpit biplanes.
The Waco name was extremely well represented in the US civil aircraft registry between the wars, with more Wacos registered than the aircraft of any other company. Production types including open cockpit biplanes, cabin biplanes and cabin sesquiplanes (known by Waco as Custom Cabins) as well as numerous experimental types.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Waco produced large numbers of military glider
Military glider
Military gliders have been used by the military of various countries for carrying troops and heavy equipment to a combat zone, mainly during the Second World War. These engineless aircraft were towed into the air and most of the way to their target by military transport planes, e.g...
s for the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
and US Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
for airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
operations, especially during the Normandy Invasion and Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation, fought in the Netherlands and Germany in the Second World War. It was the largest airborne operation up to that time....
. The Waco CG-4
Waco CG-4
The Waco CG-4 was the most widely used United States troop/cargo military glider of World War II. It was designated the CG-4 by the United States Army Air Forces, and named Hadrian in British military service....
was the most numerous of their glider designs to be produced. At the same time Waco produced over 600 of its UPF-7
Waco F series
-External links:*...
open biplanes and 21 VKS-7F cabin biplanes for the Civilian Pilot Training Program
Civilian Pilot Training Program
The Civilian Pilot Training Program was a flight training program sponsored by the United States government with the stated purpose of increasing the number of civilian pilots, though having a clear impact on military preparedness....
, which supplemented the output of the military training establishments. 42 privately-owned models of sixteen types were impressed into service as light transports and utility aircraft with the USAAF under the common designation C-72/UC-72
Waco C-72
C-72 was a blanket designation given to a variety of privately owned Waco enclosed-cabin biplanes impressed into service by the United States Army Air Forces in 1942. In all, 42 aircraft were taken and used for light transport duty wherever needed.-Variants:...
.
The Waco company ceased operations in 1947http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/janowski/other_aircraft/Waco_W/ O'Neill Sport Aviation March/April 1964, having suffered the fate of a number of general aviation companies when an anticipated boom in aviation following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
failed to develop.
The final Waco relied on an experimental Franklin engine which, with the cancellation of other contracts became so expensive the Aristocraft that relied on it was cancelled.O'Neill http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/janowski/other_aircraft/Waco_W/
The Waco name was briefly revived for a scheme to produce a series of Italian lightplanes under licence in the US.
The WACO Classic Aircraft
WACO Classic Aircraft
WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation, founded in 1983 as the Classic Aircraft Corporation and located in Battle Creek, Michigan, is a manufacturer of general aviation airplanes....
company (unrelated to the original Waco) began building its WACO Classic YMF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
in 1986, an upgraded version based on Waco's original type certified designhttp://www.wacoclassic.com/about.html Waco Classic Aircraft Co. About Page.
A large number of survivors exist, with the largest single collection residing at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum
Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum
The Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum, located at Creve Coeur Airport in Maryland Heights, Missouri, is a museum dedicated to restoring and preserving historical aircraft. The airplanes in the collection are all fabric-covered, and most are biplanes from the inter-war years...
at Dauster Field, Creve Coeur, near St Louis, Missouri.Donner, Brad http://www.fairchild24.com/museum.htm Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum - List of Aircraft.
Models
Note: Waco civilian designations describe the configuration of the aircraft. The first letter lists the engine used, the second the specific type, and the third the general series. The coding system was changed in 1929 with several letters reassigned, and later with the introduction of the Custom Cabin series, the third letter 'C' was initially replaced with C-S (Cabin-Standard) and finally S.Troy, Ohio
* - Sports :In addition to Troy High School athletics, Troy is home to the Miami Valley Silverbacks indoor football team of the Continental Indoor Football League....
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Between 1919 and 1947, the company produced a wide range of civilian biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
s.
The company initially started under the name Weaver Aircraft Company of Ohio but changed its name to the Waco Aircraft Company in 1928/29.
Company name
WACO (referring to the aircraft) is usually pronounced "wah-co"Kobernuss, P.4 (the first syllable pronounced as in "water"), not "way-co" like Waco, TexasWaco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
, whose name is entirely unrelated. The name comes from a field near Troy, Ohio - Waco field, which in turn received its name from a local war-cry, which had several variations. Although an acronym, the company was universally referred to as "Waco".
Several companies operated under the Waco name, with the first company being the Weaver Aircraft Company, a firm founded by George E. Weaver, Clayton Bruckner, and Elwood Junkin in 1920 in Lorain
Lorain, Ohio
Lorain is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Black River, about 30 miles west of Cleveland....
and Medina, Ohio
Medina, Ohio
In the city the population was spread out with 29.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males...
after they had already been collaborating for several years. In the spring of 1923 this became the Advance Aircraft Company in Troy, Ohio
Troy, Ohio
* - Sports :In addition to Troy High School athletics, Troy is home to the Miami Valley Silverbacks indoor football team of the Continental Indoor Football League....
, after the departure of Weaver.
At some point (when is not at all clear from the records but 1928 or 1929) it was changed from Advance Aircraft Company to Waco Aircraft Company. The firm is often confused with Western Aviation Company, the name of four unrelated aircraft enterprises in Chicago, Illinois; San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
; and Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
.
History
Waco's history started in 1919 when businessmen Clayton J. Brukner and Elwood Junkin met barnstormingBarnstorming
Barnstorming was a popular form of entertainment in the 1920s in which stunt pilots would perform tricks with airplanes, either individually or in groups called a flying circus. Barnstorming was the first major form of civil aviation in the history of flight...
pilots Charley Meyers and George Weaver. Although their initial floatplane
Floatplane
A floatplane is a type of seaplane, with slender pontoons mounted under the fuselage; only the floats of a floatplane normally come into contact with water, with the fuselage remaining above water...
design was a failure, they went on to found the Waco company in 1920 and established themselves as producers of reliable, rugged planes that were popular with travelling businessmen, postal services and explorers, especially after the company began producing closed-cabin biplane models after 1930 in addition to the open cockpit biplanes.
The Waco name was extremely well represented in the US civil aircraft registry between the wars, with more Wacos registered than the aircraft of any other company. Production types including open cockpit biplanes, cabin biplanes and cabin sesquiplanes (known by Waco as Custom Cabins) as well as numerous experimental types.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Waco produced large numbers of military glider
Military glider
Military gliders have been used by the military of various countries for carrying troops and heavy equipment to a combat zone, mainly during the Second World War. These engineless aircraft were towed into the air and most of the way to their target by military transport planes, e.g...
s for the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
and US Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
for airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
operations, especially during the Normandy Invasion and Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation, fought in the Netherlands and Germany in the Second World War. It was the largest airborne operation up to that time....
. The Waco CG-4
Waco CG-4
The Waco CG-4 was the most widely used United States troop/cargo military glider of World War II. It was designated the CG-4 by the United States Army Air Forces, and named Hadrian in British military service....
was the most numerous of their glider designs to be produced. At the same time Waco produced over 600 of its UPF-7
Waco F series
-External links:*...
open biplanes and 21 VKS-7F cabin biplanes for the Civilian Pilot Training Program
Civilian Pilot Training Program
The Civilian Pilot Training Program was a flight training program sponsored by the United States government with the stated purpose of increasing the number of civilian pilots, though having a clear impact on military preparedness....
, which supplemented the output of the military training establishments. 42 privately-owned models of sixteen types were impressed into service as light transports and utility aircraft with the USAAF under the common designation C-72/UC-72
Waco C-72
C-72 was a blanket designation given to a variety of privately owned Waco enclosed-cabin biplanes impressed into service by the United States Army Air Forces in 1942. In all, 42 aircraft were taken and used for light transport duty wherever needed.-Variants:...
.
The Waco company ceased operations in 1947http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/janowski/other_aircraft/Waco_W/ O'Neill Sport Aviation March/April 1964, having suffered the fate of a number of general aviation companies when an anticipated boom in aviation following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
failed to develop.
The final Waco relied on an experimental Franklin engine which, with the cancellation of other contracts became so expensive the Aristocraft that relied on it was cancelled.O'Neill http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/janowski/other_aircraft/Waco_W/
The Waco name was briefly revived for a scheme to produce a series of Italian lightplanes under licence in the US.
The WACO Classic Aircraft
WACO Classic Aircraft
WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation, founded in 1983 as the Classic Aircraft Corporation and located in Battle Creek, Michigan, is a manufacturer of general aviation airplanes....
company (unrelated to the original Waco) began building its WACO Classic YMF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
in 1986, an upgraded version based on Waco's original type certified designhttp://www.wacoclassic.com/about.html Waco Classic Aircraft Co. About Page.
A large number of survivors exist, with the largest single collection residing at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum
Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum
The Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum, located at Creve Coeur Airport in Maryland Heights, Missouri, is a museum dedicated to restoring and preserving historical aircraft. The airplanes in the collection are all fabric-covered, and most are biplanes from the inter-war years...
at Dauster Field, Creve Coeur, near St Louis, Missouri.Donner, Brad http://www.fairchild24.com/museum.htm Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum - List of Aircraft.
Models
Note: Waco civilian designations describe the configuration of the aircraft. The first letter lists the engine used, the second the specific type, and the third the general series. The coding system was changed in 1929 with several letters reassigned, and later with the introduction of the Custom Cabin series, the third letter 'C' was initially replaced with C-S (Cabin-Standard) and finally S.http://aerofiles.com/wacodata.html Aerofiles 'That Waco Coding System'Troy, Ohio
* - Sports :In addition to Troy High School athletics, Troy is home to the Miami Valley Silverbacks indoor football team of the Continental Indoor Football League....
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Between 1919 and 1947, the company produced a wide range of civilian biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
s.
The company initially started under the name Weaver Aircraft Company of Ohio but changed its name to the Waco Aircraft Company in 1928/29.
Company name
WACO (referring to the aircraft) is usually pronounced "wah-co"Kobernuss, P.4 (the first syllable pronounced as in "water"), not "way-co" like Waco, TexasWaco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
, whose name is entirely unrelated. The name comes from a field near Troy, Ohio - Waco field, which in turn received its name from a local war-cry, which had several variations. Although an acronym, the company was universally referred to as "Waco".
Several companies operated under the Waco name, with the first company being the Weaver Aircraft Company, a firm founded by George E. Weaver, Clayton Bruckner, and Elwood Junkin in 1920 in Lorain
Lorain, Ohio
Lorain is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Black River, about 30 miles west of Cleveland....
and Medina, Ohio
Medina, Ohio
In the city the population was spread out with 29.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males...
after they had already been collaborating for several years. In the spring of 1923 this became the Advance Aircraft Company in Troy, Ohio
Troy, Ohio
* - Sports :In addition to Troy High School athletics, Troy is home to the Miami Valley Silverbacks indoor football team of the Continental Indoor Football League....
, after the departure of Weaver.
At some point (when is not at all clear from the records but 1928 or 1929) it was changed from Advance Aircraft Company to Waco Aircraft Company. The firm is often confused with Western Aviation Company, the name of four unrelated aircraft enterprises in Chicago, Illinois; San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
; and Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
.
History
Waco's history started in 1919 when businessmen Clayton J. Brukner and Elwood Junkin met barnstormingBarnstorming
Barnstorming was a popular form of entertainment in the 1920s in which stunt pilots would perform tricks with airplanes, either individually or in groups called a flying circus. Barnstorming was the first major form of civil aviation in the history of flight...
pilots Charley Meyers and George Weaver. Although their initial floatplane
Floatplane
A floatplane is a type of seaplane, with slender pontoons mounted under the fuselage; only the floats of a floatplane normally come into contact with water, with the fuselage remaining above water...
design was a failure, they went on to found the Waco company in 1920 and established themselves as producers of reliable, rugged planes that were popular with travelling businessmen, postal services and explorers, especially after the company began producing closed-cabin biplane models after 1930 in addition to the open cockpit biplanes.
The Waco name was extremely well represented in the US civil aircraft registry between the wars, with more Wacos registered than the aircraft of any other company. Production types including open cockpit biplanes, cabin biplanes and cabin sesquiplanes (known by Waco as Custom Cabins) as well as numerous experimental types.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Waco produced large numbers of military glider
Military glider
Military gliders have been used by the military of various countries for carrying troops and heavy equipment to a combat zone, mainly during the Second World War. These engineless aircraft were towed into the air and most of the way to their target by military transport planes, e.g...
s for the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
and US Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
for airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
operations, especially during the Normandy Invasion and Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation, fought in the Netherlands and Germany in the Second World War. It was the largest airborne operation up to that time....
. The Waco CG-4
Waco CG-4
The Waco CG-4 was the most widely used United States troop/cargo military glider of World War II. It was designated the CG-4 by the United States Army Air Forces, and named Hadrian in British military service....
was the most numerous of their glider designs to be produced. At the same time Waco produced over 600 of its UPF-7
Waco F series
-External links:*...
open biplanes and 21 VKS-7F cabin biplanes for the Civilian Pilot Training Program
Civilian Pilot Training Program
The Civilian Pilot Training Program was a flight training program sponsored by the United States government with the stated purpose of increasing the number of civilian pilots, though having a clear impact on military preparedness....
, which supplemented the output of the military training establishments. 42 privately-owned models of sixteen types were impressed into service as light transports and utility aircraft with the USAAF under the common designation C-72/UC-72
Waco C-72
C-72 was a blanket designation given to a variety of privately owned Waco enclosed-cabin biplanes impressed into service by the United States Army Air Forces in 1942. In all, 42 aircraft were taken and used for light transport duty wherever needed.-Variants:...
.
The Waco company ceased operations in 1947http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/janowski/other_aircraft/Waco_W/ O'Neill Sport Aviation March/April 1964, having suffered the fate of a number of general aviation companies when an anticipated boom in aviation following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
failed to develop.
The final Waco relied on an experimental Franklin engine which, with the cancellation of other contracts became so expensive the Aristocraft that relied on it was cancelled.O'Neill http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/janowski/other_aircraft/Waco_W/
The Waco name was briefly revived for a scheme to produce a series of Italian lightplanes under licence in the US.
The WACO Classic Aircraft
WACO Classic Aircraft
WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation, founded in 1983 as the Classic Aircraft Corporation and located in Battle Creek, Michigan, is a manufacturer of general aviation airplanes....
company (unrelated to the original Waco) began building its WACO Classic YMF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
in 1986, an upgraded version based on Waco's original type certified designhttp://www.wacoclassic.com/about.html Waco Classic Aircraft Co. About Page.
A large number of survivors exist, with the largest single collection residing at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum
Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum
The Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum, located at Creve Coeur Airport in Maryland Heights, Missouri, is a museum dedicated to restoring and preserving historical aircraft. The airplanes in the collection are all fabric-covered, and most are biplanes from the inter-war years...
at Dauster Field, Creve Coeur, near St Louis, Missouri.Donner, Brad http://www.fairchild24.com/museum.htm Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum - List of Aircraft.
Models
Note: Waco civilian designations describe the configuration of the aircraft. The first letter lists the engine used, the second the specific type, and the third the general series. The coding system was changed in 1929 with several letters reassigned, and later with the introduction of the Custom Cabin series, the third letter 'C' was initially replaced with C-S (Cabin-Standard) and finally S.http://aerofiles.com/wacodata.html Aerofiles 'That Waco Coding System'Troy, Ohio
* - Sports :In addition to Troy High School athletics, Troy is home to the Miami Valley Silverbacks indoor football team of the Continental Indoor Football League....
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Between 1919 and 1947, the company produced a wide range of civilian biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
s.
The company initially started under the name Weaver Aircraft Company of Ohio but changed its name to the Waco Aircraft Company in 1928/29.
Company name
WACO (referring to the aircraft) is usually pronounced "wah-co"Kobernuss, P.4 (the first syllable pronounced as in "water"), not "way-co" like Waco, TexasWaco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
, whose name is entirely unrelated. The name comes from a field near Troy, Ohio - Waco field, which in turn received its name from a local war-cry, which had several variations. Although an acronym, the company was universally referred to as "Waco".
Several companies operated under the Waco name, with the first company being the Weaver Aircraft Company, a firm founded by George E. Weaver, Clayton Bruckner, and Elwood Junkin in 1920 in Lorain
Lorain, Ohio
Lorain is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Black River, about 30 miles west of Cleveland....
and Medina, Ohio
Medina, Ohio
In the city the population was spread out with 29.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males...
after they had already been collaborating for several years. In the spring of 1923 this became the Advance Aircraft Company in Troy, Ohio
Troy, Ohio
* - Sports :In addition to Troy High School athletics, Troy is home to the Miami Valley Silverbacks indoor football team of the Continental Indoor Football League....
, after the departure of Weaver.
At some point (when is not at all clear from the records but 1928 or 1929) it was changed from Advance Aircraft Company to Waco Aircraft Company. The firm is often confused with Western Aviation Company, the name of four unrelated aircraft enterprises in Chicago, Illinois; San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
; and Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
.
History
Waco's history started in 1919 when businessmen Clayton J. Brukner and Elwood Junkin met barnstormingBarnstorming
Barnstorming was a popular form of entertainment in the 1920s in which stunt pilots would perform tricks with airplanes, either individually or in groups called a flying circus. Barnstorming was the first major form of civil aviation in the history of flight...
pilots Charley Meyers and George Weaver. Although their initial floatplane
Floatplane
A floatplane is a type of seaplane, with slender pontoons mounted under the fuselage; only the floats of a floatplane normally come into contact with water, with the fuselage remaining above water...
design was a failure, they went on to found the Waco company in 1920 and established themselves as producers of reliable, rugged planes that were popular with travelling businessmen, postal services and explorers, especially after the company began producing closed-cabin biplane models after 1930 in addition to the open cockpit biplanes.
The Waco name was extremely well represented in the US civil aircraft registry between the wars, with more Wacos registered than the aircraft of any other company. Production types including open cockpit biplanes, cabin biplanes and cabin sesquiplanes (known by Waco as Custom Cabins) as well as numerous experimental types.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Waco produced large numbers of military glider
Military glider
Military gliders have been used by the military of various countries for carrying troops and heavy equipment to a combat zone, mainly during the Second World War. These engineless aircraft were towed into the air and most of the way to their target by military transport planes, e.g...
s for the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
and US Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
for airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
operations, especially during the Normandy Invasion and Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation, fought in the Netherlands and Germany in the Second World War. It was the largest airborne operation up to that time....
. The Waco CG-4
Waco CG-4
The Waco CG-4 was the most widely used United States troop/cargo military glider of World War II. It was designated the CG-4 by the United States Army Air Forces, and named Hadrian in British military service....
was the most numerous of their glider designs to be produced. At the same time Waco produced over 600 of its UPF-7
Waco F series
-External links:*...
open biplanes and 21 VKS-7F cabin biplanes for the Civilian Pilot Training Program
Civilian Pilot Training Program
The Civilian Pilot Training Program was a flight training program sponsored by the United States government with the stated purpose of increasing the number of civilian pilots, though having a clear impact on military preparedness....
, which supplemented the output of the military training establishments. 42 privately-owned models of sixteen types were impressed into service as light transports and utility aircraft with the USAAF under the common designation C-72/UC-72
Waco C-72
C-72 was a blanket designation given to a variety of privately owned Waco enclosed-cabin biplanes impressed into service by the United States Army Air Forces in 1942. In all, 42 aircraft were taken and used for light transport duty wherever needed.-Variants:...
.
The Waco company ceased operations in 1947http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/janowski/other_aircraft/Waco_W/ O'Neill Sport Aviation March/April 1964, having suffered the fate of a number of general aviation companies when an anticipated boom in aviation following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
failed to develop.
The final Waco relied on an experimental Franklin engine which, with the cancellation of other contracts became so expensive the Aristocraft that relied on it was cancelled.O'Neill http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/janowski/other_aircraft/Waco_W/
The Waco name was briefly revived for a scheme to produce a series of Italian lightplanes under licence in the US.
The WACO Classic Aircraft
WACO Classic Aircraft
WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation, founded in 1983 as the Classic Aircraft Corporation and located in Battle Creek, Michigan, is a manufacturer of general aviation airplanes....
company (unrelated to the original Waco) began building its WACO Classic YMF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
in 1986, an upgraded version based on Waco's original type certified designhttp://www.wacoclassic.com/about.html Waco Classic Aircraft Co. About Page.
A large number of survivors exist, with the largest single collection residing at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum
Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum
The Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum, located at Creve Coeur Airport in Maryland Heights, Missouri, is a museum dedicated to restoring and preserving historical aircraft. The airplanes in the collection are all fabric-covered, and most are biplanes from the inter-war years...
at Dauster Field, Creve Coeur, near St Louis, Missouri.Donner, Brad http://www.fairchild24.com/museum.htm Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum - List of Aircraft.
Models
Note: Waco civilian designations describe the configuration of the aircraft. The first letter lists the engine used, the second the specific type, and the third the general series. The coding system was changed in 1929 with several letters reassigned, and later with the introduction of the Custom Cabin series, the third letter 'C' was initially replaced with C-S (Cabin-Standard) and finally S.http://aerofiles.com/wacodata.html Aerofiles 'That Waco Coding System'Open cockpit biplanes and monoplanes
Cootie :Single seat biplane/parasol monoplane, 1 produced, then re-builtWaco models 4 through 7 : Used many Curtiss JN-4 parts with new interchangeable wing panels and powered by a 90 hp Curtiss OX-5
Curtiss OX-5
-Bibliography:* Angle, Glenn D., AEROSPHERE 1939. New York: Aircraft Publications, 1940.* Gunston, Bill, World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Somerset: Haynes Publishing, 1995. ISBN 1-85260-509-X...
.
Waco 8 : First Waco cabin biplane, powered by 200 hp Liberty
Liberty L-12
The Liberty L-12 was a 27 litre water-cooled 45° V-12 aircraft engine of 400 horsepower designed both for a high power-to-weight ratio and for ease of mass production.-History:...
- 1 built
Waco 9
Waco 9
The Waco 9 is an American-built biplane design that first flew in 1925.-Development:The Waco 9 was the first of the steel-tubed fuselage aircraft designs to be built by the Advance Aircraft Company, which became the Waco Aircraft Company circa 1929...
:First mass-production model, steel-tube framing, powered by OX-5, equipped for EDO floats. Many re-engined. 270 built.
- Waco 10Waco 10-Bibliography:* http://aerofiles.com/_waco.html* Juptner, Joseph P. U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 1 Los Angeles, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1962. Library of Congress # 62-15967....
:Most produced model of any Waco aircraft, 1,623 built between 1927 and 1933. Refinement of Waco 9 with 90 hp Curtiss OX-5Curtiss OX-5-Bibliography:* Angle, Glenn D., AEROSPHERE 1939. New York: Aircraft Publications, 1940.* Gunston, Bill, World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Somerset: Haynes Publishing, 1995. ISBN 1-85260-509-X...
V8 engine. Redesignated GXE by Waco in 1928.- 240Waco 10-Bibliography:* http://aerofiles.com/_waco.html* Juptner, Joseph P. U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 1 Los Angeles, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1962. Library of Congress # 62-15967....
:1 conversion of Waco 10 with 240 hp Continental W-670 radial engine. - ASOWaco 10-Bibliography:* http://aerofiles.com/_waco.html* Juptner, Joseph P. U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 1 Los Angeles, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1962. Library of Congress # 62-15967....
:Waco 10 variant with 220 hp Wright J-5Wright R-790The Wright R-790 Whirlwind was a series of nine-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by Wright Aeronautical Corporation, all of which had a displacement of about 790 in³ and around 200 hp...
radial engine, known as J-5 Straightwing, Waco Sport, and Whirlwind Waco. 95 built. - BSOWaco 10-Bibliography:* http://aerofiles.com/_waco.html* Juptner, Joseph P. U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 1 Los Angeles, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1962. Library of Congress # 62-15967....
:Variant of ASO 165 hp Wright J-6-5 radial engine. 45 built. - CSOWaco 10-Bibliography:* http://aerofiles.com/_waco.html* Juptner, Joseph P. U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 1 Los Angeles, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1962. Library of Congress # 62-15967....
:Variant of ASO with 225 hp Wright J-6-7 radial engine. 59 built. - DSOWaco 10-Bibliography:* http://aerofiles.com/_waco.html* Juptner, Joseph P. U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 1 Los Angeles, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1962. Library of Congress # 62-15967....
:Variant of ASO with 180 hp Hispano-Suiza A/E V8Hispano-Suiza 8The Hispano-Suiza 8 was a water-cooled V8 SOHC aero engine introduced by Hispano-Suiza in 1914 and used by a number of Allied aircraft during the First World War...
engine. 62 built. - ATOWaco 10-Bibliography:* http://aerofiles.com/_waco.html* Juptner, Joseph P. U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 1 Los Angeles, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1962. Library of Congress # 62-15967....
:Taperwing variant of ASO. 54 built. - CTOWaco 10-Bibliography:* http://aerofiles.com/_waco.html* Juptner, Joseph P. U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 1 Los Angeles, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1962. Library of Congress # 62-15967....
:Taperwing variant of CSO. 35 built. - HTOWaco 10-Bibliography:* http://aerofiles.com/_waco.html* Juptner, Joseph P. U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 1 Los Angeles, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1962. Library of Congress # 62-15967....
:Modified from HSO. 1 built. - JTOWaco 10-Bibliography:* http://aerofiles.com/_waco.html* Juptner, Joseph P. U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 1 Los Angeles, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1962. Library of Congress # 62-15967....
:300 h.p. Wright J-6-9. 1 built. - JYOWaco 10-Bibliography:* http://aerofiles.com/_waco.html* Juptner, Joseph P. U.S. Civil Aircraft Vol. 1 Los Angeles, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1962. Library of Congress # 62-15967....
:U.S. Navy version of JTO for evaluation. 2 built.
- 240
Waco Mailplanes
-External links:* *...
:Straightwing mailplane with 330 hp Wright R-975 engine. Derivative of ASO with 14" fuselage stretch. 2 built.
JYM
Waco Mailplanes
-External links:* *...
:Taperwing mailplane with 300 hp Wright J-6-9 radial engine. Derivative of ATO with 14" fuselage stretch. 4 built for Northwest Airways
Northwest Airlines
Northwest Airlines, Inc. was a major United States airline founded in 1926 and absorbed into Delta Air Lines by a merger approved on October 29, 2008, making Delta the largest airline in the world...
Waco A series
-References:NotesBibliography...
:Improved KBA, side by side two seat biplane with optional canopy and 125 hp Kinner B-5
Kinner B-5
|-See also:-References:* http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Duxford/usaero4.htm-External links:...
engine. 3 built.
KBA
Waco A series
-References:NotesBibliography...
:100 hp Kinner K-5
Kinner K-5
|-References:* http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Duxford/usaero4.htm...
radial engine. 50 built.
PBA
Waco A series
-References:NotesBibliography...
:IBA variant with 170 hp Jacobs LA-1
Jacobs Aircraft Engine Company
The Jacobs Aircraft Engine Company was formed in 1929 in Philadelphia. Later the company moved to Pottstown, Pennsylvania.An early product was the Jacobs L-3, a small 55 hp 3 cylinder engine of 1929...
radial engine. 4 built.
RBA
Waco A series
-References:NotesBibliography...
:IBA variant with 110 hp Warner Scarab
Warner Scarab
|-See also:-References:*-External links:*...
radial engine. 4 built.
UBA
Waco A series
-References:NotesBibliography...
:IBA variant with 210 hp Continental R-670 radial engine. 6 built.
PLA
Waco A series
-References:NotesBibliography...
:Improved IBA, known as Waco Sportsman, with Jacobs LA-1 radial engine and greater range. 4 built.
ULA
Waco A series
-References:NotesBibliography...
:PLA variant with 210 hp Continental R-670 radial engine. 1 built.
CHD :Multipurpose military biplane with 250 hp Wright R-760
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
radial engine. 6 built (may include JHD).
JHD :Multipurpose Military Biplane with 365 hp Wright R-975 engine. 6 built for Uruguay.
S3HD :Multipurpose Military Biplane with 400 hp P & W Wasp Jr.
Pratt & Whitney R-985
The Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior is a series of nine-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company from the 1930s to the 1950s. These engines have a displacement of ; initial versions produced , while the most widely used versions produce...
TB. 1 built.
WHD :Multipurpose Military Biplane with 420 hp Wright R-975 engine.
CMD :Multipurpose Military Biplane with 250 hp Wright J-6-7. None built.
OBF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 210 hp Kinner C-5
Kinner C-5
|-See also:-References:...
engine. Unknown if built.
PBF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 170 hp Jacobs LA-1 engine. 4 built.
TBF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 160 hp Kinner R-5
Kinner R-5
|-See also:-References:* http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Duxford/usaero4.htm...
(?) engine. None built.
UBF & UBF-2
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 210 hpp Continental R-670 engine. Around 11 built. US Navy trainer XJW-1 for airship skyhook.
PCF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 170 hp Jacobs LA-1 radial engine. 3 built.
QCF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 165 hp Continental A-70 radial engine. 31 built.
UCF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 210 hpp Continental R-670 radial engine. None built, became UBF.
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 210 hp Continental R-670 radial engine. 18 built.
YMF-3
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 225 hp Jacobs L-4 radial engine. 18 built -3 & -5.
YMF-5
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 245 hp Jacobs L-4 radial engine. Basis for YMF-5 Super currently in production.
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 125 hp Kinner B-5
Kinner B-5
|-See also:-References:* http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Duxford/usaero4.htm-External links:...
radial engine. 50 built.
KNF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 100 hp Kinner K-5
Kinner K-5
|-References:* http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Duxford/usaero4.htm...
radial engine. 20 built.
MNF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 125 hp Menasco C-4 Pirate inline engine. 4 built.
QNF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 165 hp Continental A-70 radial engine. 1 built.
RNF
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 110 hp Warner Scarab
Warner Scarab
|-See also:-References:*-External links:*...
radial engine. 150+ built.
CPF & CPF-6
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 250 hp Wright R-760
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
radial engine. 41 built, redesignated DPF.
DPF-6 & DPF-7
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 285 hp Wright R-760
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
radial engine. Was CPF.
EPF-6
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 320 hp Wright R-760
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
radial engine. 1 built.
LPF-6
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 300 hp Lycoming R-680
Lycoming R-680
|-See also:-External links:...
radial engine. Possibly not built.
UPF-6
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 210 hp Continental R-670 radial engine. Prototype for UPF-7.
UPF-7
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: Second-most produced variant, over 600 built. Continental W-670 220 hp engine. Widely used in the Civilian Pilot Training Program
Civilian Pilot Training Program
The Civilian Pilot Training Program was a flight training program sponsored by the United States government with the stated purpose of increasing the number of civilian pilots, though having a clear impact on military preparedness....
. 14 became YPT-14 trainers, but not adopted by USAAF for operational use.
VPF-6 & VPF-7
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 240 hp Continental W-670
Continental w-670
-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopaedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9* Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1998. ISBN 0-517-67964-7...
radial engine. 6 built.
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 225 hp Jacobs L-4 radial engine. 8 built.
ZPF-6 & ZPF-7
Waco F series
-External links:*...
: 285 hp Jacobs L-5 radial engine. 5 built.
CRG
Waco G series
-References:NotesBibliography* Detroit News, 10 September 1930-External links:**...
: 240 hp Wright R-760
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
radial engine, later a different Wright R-760.
RPT-1 :Low wing open cockpit monoplane trainer prototype, similar in concept to Fairchild PT-19
Fairchild PT-19
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Mondey, David. American Aircraft of World War II . London: Bounty Books, 2006. ISBN 978-0-7537-1461-4....
. 1 built.
Standard Cabin Biplanes
OEC :with 210 hp Kinner C-5
Kinner C-5
|-See also:-References:...
engine. 3 built.
UEC :with 210 hp Continental R-670 engine. 40 built.
BEC :with 165 hp Wright R-540
Wright R-540
|-See also:-Bibliography:. Available from the Aircraft Engine Historical Society's .. Available from the Aircraft Engine Historical Society's .. Available from the FAA's .. Available from the Aircraft Engine Historical Society's ....
engine. 1 built (converted from OEC or UEC).
CJC & CJC-S :with 250 hp Wright R-760
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
engine. 41 CJC & DJC built.
DJC, DJC-S & DJS :with 285 hp Wright R-760
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
engine.
UKC, UKC-S & UKS-6 :with 210 hpp Continental R-670. 40 built.
VKS-7 :with 225 hp Continental R-670-B engine. 18 built.
VKS-7F : VKS-7 for CPTP
Civilian Pilot Training Program
The Civilian Pilot Training Program was a flight training program sponsored by the United States government with the stated purpose of increasing the number of civilian pilots, though having a clear impact on military preparedness....
with flaps. 21 built.
YKC, YKC-S & YKS-6 :with 225 hp Jacobs L-4
BDC :with 165 hp Wright R-540
Wright R-540
|-See also:-Bibliography:. Available from the Aircraft Engine Historical Society's .. Available from the Aircraft Engine Historical Society's .. Available from the FAA's .. Available from the Aircraft Engine Historical Society's ....
engine. None built.
ODC :with 210 hp Kinner C-5
Kinner C-5
|-See also:-References:...
engine. modified to QDC.
PDC :with 170 hp Jacobs LA-1 engine. 2 built on special order.
QDC :with 165 hp Continental A-70 engine. 37 built.
UDC :with 210 hp Continental R-670 engine. None built.
UIC :with 210 hp Continental R-670 engine. 83 built.
Custom Cabin Biplanes (Sesquiplanes)
AGC-8 : 300 hp Jacobs L-6 engine. 17 built, 2 modified to EGC-8.
DGC-7 : 285 hp Wright R-760
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
engine. 2 built.
EGC-7, EGC-8, : 320 hp Wright R-760
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
engine. 38 built. 3 used by US Navy & Coast Guard as J2W.
MGC-8 : Menasco Pirate inline engine. Unknown number built.
UGC-7 : 210 hp Continental R-670 engine. None built.
VGC-7 : 240 hp Continental W-670
Continental w-670
-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopaedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9* Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1998. ISBN 0-517-67964-7...
engine. None built.
YGC-7, YGC-8 : 225 hp Jacobs L-4 engine. Possibly none built.
ZGC-7, ZGC-8 : 285 hp Jacobs L-5 engine. 28 built.
AQC-6 : 300 hp Jacobs L-5 engine. 7 built.
CQC-6 : 250 hp Wright R-760
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
engine. None built.
DQC-6 : 285 hp Wright R-760
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
engine. 11 built.
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
engine. 20 built. USCG used 3 as J2W-1.
SQC-6 : 300 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jr
Pratt & Whitney R-985
The Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior is a series of nine-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company from the 1930s to the 1950s. These engines have a displacement of ; initial versions produced , while the most widely used versions produce...
engine. None built.
UQC-6 : 210 hp Continental R-670 or 225 hp W-670-K or 220 hp W-670-6. Probably none built.
VQC-6 : 250 hp Continental W-670
Continental w-670
-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopaedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9* Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1998. ISBN 0-517-67964-7...
engine.
YQC-6 : 225 hp Jacobs L-4 engine. 13 built. 1 ex-RAAF example re-engined with 200 hp DeHavilland Gypsy 6 inline engine.
ZQC-6
Waco ZQC-6
-See also:...
: 285 hp Jacobs L-5 engine. 68 built.
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
engine. 30+ built of all CUC types.
CUC-1 : 285 hp Wright R-760-E1
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
engine.
CUC-2 : 320 hp Wright R-760
Wright R-760
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
engine.
UOC : 210 hp Continental R-670-A or 225 hp Continental R-670-B engine. 4 built.
YOC : 225 hp Jacobs L-4 engine. 50+ YOC & YOC-1 built.
YOC-1 : 285 hp Jacobs L-5 engine.
AVN-8
Waco N series
-References:NotesBibliography...
: Nosewheel Type with 300 hp Jacobs L-6 engine. 15 built.
ZVN-7 & ZVN-8
Waco N series
-References:NotesBibliography...
: Nosewheel Type with 285 hp Jacobs L-5 engine. 6 built.
ARE Aristocrat
Waco E series
-References:*Green, William, The Aircraft of the World, 1965, MacDonald & Co Ltd, ISBN none*Simpson, Rod, Airlife's World Aircraft, 2001, Airlife Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1-84037-115-3-External links:*...
: 300 hp Jacobs L-6 engine. 4 built.
HRE Aristocrat
Waco E series
-References:*Green, William, The Aircraft of the World, 1965, MacDonald & Co Ltd, ISBN none*Simpson, Rod, Airlife's World Aircraft, 2001, Airlife Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1-84037-115-3-External links:*...
: 285 hp Lycoming R-680
Lycoming R-680
|-See also:-External links:...
engine. 5 built.
SRE Aristocrat
Waco E series
-References:*Green, William, The Aircraft of the World, 1965, MacDonald & Co Ltd, ISBN none*Simpson, Rod, Airlife's World Aircraft, 2001, Airlife Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1-84037-115-3-External links:*...
: 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-985
Pratt & Whitney R-985
The Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior is a series of nine-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company from the 1930s to the 1950s. These engines have a displacement of ; initial versions produced , while the most widely used versions produce...
engine. 21 built.
WRE Aristocrat
Waco E series
-References:*Green, William, The Aircraft of the World, 1965, MacDonald & Co Ltd, ISBN none*Simpson, Rod, Airlife's World Aircraft, 2001, Airlife Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1-84037-115-3-External links:*...
: 420 hp Wright R-975 engine. None built.
Gliders
- WACO Primary Glider :single place trainer
- Waco CG-3Waco CG-3-References:...
:Troop Glider intended for training CG-4 pilots - Waco CG-4Waco CG-4The Waco CG-4 was the most widely used United States troop/cargo military glider of World War II. It was designated the CG-4 by the United States Army Air Forces, and named Hadrian in British military service....
also known as "Hadrian", military glider - Waco CG-13 :troop Glider
- Waco CG-15 :troop Glider
Transports
XPGWaco CG-4
The Waco CG-4 was the most widely used United States troop/cargo military glider of World War II. It was designated the CG-4 by the United States Army Air Forces, and named Hadrian in British military service....
:Powered version of CG-4 Glider
Waco YC-62
Waco C-62
The Waco C-62 was a proposed high wing transport airplane similar in size and capacity to the Douglas DC-3. The project was canceled before any aircraft were built....
:All-wood twin-engine Transport (Not built)
Waco W 'Aristocraft' : Monoplane pusher cabin transport with engine in nose. Last Waco design to be built. 1 Prototype only.
External links
- Waco Air Museum Troy, Ohio
- Detailed listing of Waco models and specifications at Aerofiles
- Waco type codes explained
- The Spirit of Adventure: Flying the USA and Europe, low and slow in a Waco open-cockpit biplane
- Wright State University's archive of Waco records
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Waco Aircraft Company Archives
- AeroSpace Show - (RTP-TV 2003) Video Story On Waco Biplane
- Waco Classic
- Waco ZQC-6 Photos
- Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum - has more Waco's (restored) than all other locations combined
- Alberta Aviation Museum