David Koresh, the leader of the Branch Davidian religious sect did put “Way-Co”, Texas on the map with his infamous standoff with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives in 1993. Fortunately, David was not a pilot nor did his compound produce an incredible line of biplanes. Not to be confused with “Way-Co”, The “Wah-Co” biplane, long synonymous with aviation’s “golden age”, had the largest registry of any other civilian aircraft in the United States from 1928 through 1935. Now, this fact has been debated over the years, however the Weaver Aircraft Company, founded by George E. Weaver, Clayton Buckner , and Elwood Junkin in Troy, Ohio in 1920, had more registered civilian aircraft than any other manufacturer or company between WWI and WWII.

The Waco Story

Although previous floatplane designs that the three attempted never flew, they founded the Weaver Aircraft Company after cavorting with barnstorming pilots near Waco Field, ten miles north of Dayton. Ohio. The three men started producing reliable, rugged aircraft that suited travelling businessmen, postal services and explorers throughout the country. Their first models were open cockpit biplanes, but closed-cabin and cabin sesquiplane (known now as Custom Cabins) models started being produced in 1930, attracting an array of different uses. Over 80 models of aircraft were produced from 1920 through 1946, including large troop-carrying gliders, called the CG-4 Hadrian, used in all major invasions during WWII. These gliders were flown by the Royal Air Force and the U.S. Air Force for airborne operations during the Normandy Invasion and Operation Market Garden. The Waco Taperwing models ATO and CTO were also outstanding acrobatic aircraft that won the Ford sponsored, 1928 National Air Tour, a transcontinental race that pitted over 25 manufacturers against each other. Many wealthy sportsmen and businessmen like Howard Hughes, Roscoe Turner and Henry King took a fancy to and purchased these early biplanes. Many models were also sold to over 37 countries used in Central and South American countries especially as military fighters. Brazil was the one of the largest buyers in the early thirties. The best selling model of the early Waco was the Model 10 with over 1,100 manufactured in just under three years from 1927 through 1930. Noted for their quick and straightforward takeoffs, a speedy rate of climb, tolerable landing speeds and equipped with the first-ever shock absorbing landing gear, the Model 10 was certainly one of the most popular small aircraft of the time.

As WACO was the acronym for the company’s name, it’s said to have derived from a local war-cry or the War Against Conservative Opinion. Either way, these Wacos were taking the skies by storm. Due to an unanticipated bust in aviation following WWII however, the company having suffered the fate of many other manufacturers and suppliers ceased operation in 1947. The final Waco model, the Aristocrat, had relied on an experimental engine from Franklin Manufacturing Co. However, as contracts became so expensive and other suppliers had collapsed in the downturn, the model was cancelled. The Aristocrat was surely built in Waco tradition, sparing no cost or weight for strength. With all wood doors, molded-wood wheel and tail fairings, and the fiberglass nose cowl, this cabin biplane required many man hours and skill. Briefly, the Waco name had been revived in a scheme to build a series of Italian lightplanes under a license in the United States, but it never lasted. Not until, 1986, almost forty years later, did the name resurrect itself. The Waco Classic Aircraft Company, unrelated to the original, began building its Waco Classic YMF, an upgraded version with roots to the original type certified design.

The WACO Reborn

Fast forward to a different age, maybe a similar bust to the post WWII aviation depression. Many of these classic biplanes fly today. For many years, pilots have found these aircraft scattered throughout the country just sitting, waiting for someone to come along and refurbish the life back into them. And with the reengineering of the 1934 YMF model, with a modified wider and longer fuselage, Waco Classic Aircraft Company of Battle Creek, Michigan has brought the relic back from extinction. With a network of enthusiastic and cordial pilots throughout the U.S., the Waco is back with a vengeance. Who would have thought a company could take a fifty-year-old design and manufacture it like new? And to boot, build under the original FAA type certification. Well, Waco Classic has hired highly experienced engineering talent from the likes of Piper, Taylorcraft and Ford to do just that. Run by two brothers, Peter and Chris Bowers, Waco Classic Aircraft Company maintains the sanctity of the aircraft’s superior design, has modernized the aircraft with over 300 engineering changes, redrew over 1,400 drawings and built new tooling to produce this aircraft once again. Its first WACO YMF model rolled of the line in March of 1986. This aeronautic thoroughbred utilizes sturdy 4130 steel for the fuselage frame, modern hydraulic toe brakes and full glass cockpit upgrades to propel this aircraft into the advancements of the future. And all of you thought barnstorming was something of the past. The New Waco is being greeted with unabashed enthusiasm for craftsmanship, quality and the pure fun of flying.

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