World War I, the first war in which airplanes played a major role, generated a great deal of interest in flying and in developing new aircraft. Following the war, many of the former military pilots turned to barnstorming, a popular form of entertainment in which pilots, perhaps better called “stunt pilots,” would perform tricks with their airplanes. They would often operate out of a farmer’s field (hence the designation “barnstorming”) and also sell airplane rides. Barnstorming generated a great deal of interest in flying and in airplanes. The barnstormers often used surplus World War I aircraft which the government had sold off very cheaply (the Curtiss JN-4, for example, had been purchased new for $5,000 and then sold as surplus for $200).
When barnstorming pilots Charley Meyers and George Weaver met businessmen Clayton J. Brukner and Elwood Junkin in 1919 a new aircraft business was born. The group’s first venture, a floatplane, turned out to be a failure, but this did not stop them. In 1920 they formed the Weaver Aircraft Company in Lorain, Ohio. When Weaver left the company in 1923, they changed the name to the Advance Aircraft Company and moved to Troy, Ohio. In 1928 or 1929, the name was changed to Waco Aircraft Company.
Waco was the first aircraft company to use assembly line production. From 1927 to 1929, Waco lead all civilian aircraft production and had sales distributors in 24 different countries.
In the history of American aviation, Waco gained a reputation as the producers of rugged and reliable aircraft. Their planes were popular with business people, postal services, and explorers. In 1930, Waco began producing closed-cabin biplane models.
During World War II, Waco produced military gliders for both the Royal Air Force and the U.S. Army Air Force.
In 1947, Waco ceased operations. Many people had anticipated that there would be a boom in the production of general aviation aircraft following the war, but this boom failed to materialize.
Waco’s last project was the Aristocraft which was powered by an experimental Franklin engine. The Aristocraft, designated as Model W by Waco, was a four-seat monoplane. It had an unusual configuration with an engine mounted in the front which drove a pusher propeller at the rear. Only the prototype was actually built even though the company had orders for 300 aircraft. Waco sold the design rights and there were later efforts to market the plans for home construction.
Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum
The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon has a collection of 82 airplanes. Shown below are photographs of some of the Waco airplanes which are on display.
Shown above: 1928 Waco 10 (GXE). This aircraft has a top speed of 97 MPH and can cruise at 84 MPH. The Waco 10 was the most produced model of any Waco aircraft: 1,623 were built between 1927 and 1933.
Shown above: 1928 Waco ATO. Waco built 54 of these aircraft.
Shown above: 1929 Waco DSO. There were 62 of these aircraft built.
Shown above: 1929 Waco CSO. There were 59 of these aircraft built. It features a 225 horsepower Wright J-6-7 radial engine.
Shown above: 1929 Waco CTO. There were 35 of these aircraft built.
Shown above: 1931 Waco RNF.
Shown above: 1932 Waco UBA. There were 6 of these aircraft built.
Shown above: 1935 Waco YPF. There were 8 of these aircraft built.