WACO Bi-planes

The WACO (Prounounced "Wocko") Aircraft Company of Troy, Ohio was the leading aircraft manufacturer of civilian aircraft in the U. S. from 1928 - 1935. Beginning in 1921 as the Weaver Aircraft Company in Lorain, Ohio , they moved to Troy in 1924 and became the Advance Aircraft Company but kept the WACO logo. In 1929, the name was changed to simply the WACO Aircraft Company.

WACO produced over 80 models during the years 1919 - 1946, including the large troop carrying gliders used in all the major invasions during WWII. The best selling WACO was the Model 10, with over 1100 being produced from 1927 - 1930. During the years 1939 - 1942, WACO also built just over 600 Model UPF-7's for the CAA and the Civilian Pilot Training program. WACOs were also popular around the world and sold airplanes to 37 different countries with Brazil being the largest byer.

WACOs were purchased for many different uses. The WACO Taperwing Models ATO and CTO were known for their outstanding acrobatic qualities and were also used for air racing. WACO won the 1928 and 1929 Ford Reliability Tour also known as the National Air Tour, which was a transcontinental race sponsored by Ford pitting over 25 aircraft manufacturers against each other. WACOs raced in the famous National Air Races in Cleveland, Los Angeles and Chicago and placed first in many events. One WACO was even invited to participate in the Paris International Air Show in 1936 where it placed first in the acrobatic events. Other WACOs were purchased and used for military fighters in Central and South American countries such as Uruguay, Nicaragua, Brazil, Argentina, El Salvador and Cuba.

Here are just a few of the planes that are at the show today.

The first one is real similar to the first plane I ever rode in. My father took me to the airport in what is now Chesapeake, VA and got us a ride in a Piper Cub. That was over 60 years ago.


Next are a few of the bi-planes that are there.



Yesterday was my 68th birthday and my wife bought me a ride in one of the bi-planes. I am pretty excited about riding in an open cockpit plane. I will do that tomorrow. Come back tomorrow and see the pics, and possibly a video of that event.

Today I bought 4 model bi-planes while I was at the show. I don't know what in the world I will do with them. The fact that I have 4 grandsons is just coincidence. :)