The Aero Experience: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013: Wacos in the Vintage Aircraft Area

Thursday, June 19, 2014

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013: Wacos in the Vintage Aircraft Area

The Aero Experience continues our coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013 with Waco aircraft in honor of the current American Waco Club Fly-In being held this weekend in the St. Louis area. We found a variety of Waco types in the Antique Aircraft area, including at least one that has already made it to the Fly-In today.

The history of the Waco Aircraft Company goes back to 1919 when the Weaver Aircraft Company (WACO) was founded in Ohio. In 1923, following failure to produce a commercially successful design, Buck Weaver left the company and it was renamed the Advance Aircraft Company with the models later produced keeping the Waco name. Commercial success came in 1925 and afterwards with the production of Waco Models 9 and 10. In 1929, the company name was changed back to Waco Aircraft Company, and the company continued to dominate civilian aircraft production. During the World War II years, Waco Aircraft produced UPF-7 trainers and Hadrian troop gliders. However, with the advent of all-metal construction becoming standard, the Waco Aircraft company simply could not compete and finally closed its doors.

The success of the Waco designs is obvious considering the number of restored aircraft still flying and the advent of the new Waco Aircraft Corporation that currently manufactures new model YMF and Great Lakes 2T-1A models reminiscent of the classic designs. Many of the newly-manufactured aircraft co-mingle with the originals with anonymity. Today, the St. Louis area is proud to host yet another gathering of Waco aircraft of all types this week, and we pay tribute to this significant occasion to include Waco aircraft from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. The Aero Experience would also like to thank Air Associates of Missouri and Air Associates of Kansas for again sponsoring our presence at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014, and another year of bringing our audience the highlights of that great aero experience!