Waco Customs
Tue Oct 23, 2007 7:09 am
Per request in this topic , here are a couple pics. The ships are Waco Custom
Cabins. No not all waco cabins are the same. A bit of background... The
Custom line was directed toward the well heeled clientel (@$12K+depression in 1937, these weren't flivvers).
They were faster(160mph), heavier(3800gross), and bigger(5pass) than the Standard
line. The identifying features are first, the sesquiplane planform (the
lower wings are virtually 50% the area of the uppers) , Standards have
virtually 4 identical wing panels. Also, Customs have 2 vs 4 ailerons,
counterbalanced flight control surfaces, flaps all models, and have 4
full longerons (not cut down aft of cabin like Standards, Fairchilds or
Cubs).
These ships are supposed to look like this when done.....
and here is where the far one in the previous "gang" pic, is today....
It has been a mighty long project (10 years now) not for the faint of
heart. Every bit as difficult and complicated as a Howard or
Staggerwing, and employing nearly all skills....wood, welding, machining, electrical,
paint, sheetmetal forming and joining, and high level upholstery (it's a luxury ship..
.not a utilitarian military). We have thus far performed 100% of the work ourselves less those things forbidden by the Administrator (instruments, prop, etc)
Yes it will fly. When? When it's ready and it
wants to. But not at public events.
Cabins. No not all waco cabins are the same. A bit of background... The
Custom line was directed toward the well heeled clientel (@$12K+depression in 1937, these weren't flivvers).
They were faster(160mph), heavier(3800gross), and bigger(5pass) than the Standard
line. The identifying features are first, the sesquiplane planform (the
lower wings are virtually 50% the area of the uppers) , Standards have
virtually 4 identical wing panels. Also, Customs have 2 vs 4 ailerons,
counterbalanced flight control surfaces, flaps all models, and have 4
full longerons (not cut down aft of cabin like Standards, Fairchilds or
Cubs).
These ships are supposed to look like this when done.....
and here is where the far one in the previous "gang" pic, is today....
It has been a mighty long project (10 years now) not for the faint of
heart. Every bit as difficult and complicated as a Howard or
Staggerwing, and employing nearly all skills....wood, welding, machining, electrical,
paint, sheetmetal forming and joining, and high level upholstery (it's a luxury ship..
.not a utilitarian military). We have thus far performed 100% of the work ourselves less those things forbidden by the Administrator (instruments, prop, etc)
Yes it will fly. When? When it's ready and it
wants to. But not at public events.
Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:38 pm
Hey, what a great place to work.
Our museum recently restored an AQC. She's a really beauty. What model is the Green one you're working on?
Cheers,
David
Our museum recently restored an AQC. She's a really beauty. What model is the Green one you're working on?
Cheers,
David
Tue Oct 23, 2007 3:31 pm
Well, actually it's a bit farther along than that last pic......the difference you see is about 4 months of part time spare moment labor. Hour here, hour there. No hurry.
It is in the back of an industrial building....plenty of power, light, security, water, and privacy.
Hey, what a great place to work.
It is in the back of an industrial building....plenty of power, light, security, water, and privacy.
Tue Oct 23, 2007 3:46 pm
Very nice!
So are these restorations or new-builds?
So are these restorations or new-builds?
Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:47 am
Mike wrote:So are these restorations or new-builds?
They are the real deal. Overhauled.....that is the only term the Administrator recognizes.
Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:46 pm
This is my friends 1934 Waco YKC flying over San Luis Obispo on our way to Madera, a couple of years ago. The plane is based at Reid-Hillview, CA
Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:54 am
The *KC's (the first letter in Waco models designates engine...Y= Jacobs L4, U= Continental 220) are Standard cabins. They have the nearly identical wing panels up and down and are easily recognized by the presence of aileron slave struts connecting the upper and lower ailerons.
This particular ship is a bit mixed up in the landing gear. Somewhere in this ship's past it must have been pretty badly beat up. Somebody has welded on a wide "swinging" main gear from either an *KS7 or *PF7 in lieu of the original "stiff" leg gear. This wouldn't be the first time that has been done!
Well done conversion nonetheless and a pretty bird!
This particular ship is a bit mixed up in the landing gear. Somewhere in this ship's past it must have been pretty badly beat up. Somebody has welded on a wide "swinging" main gear from either an *KS7 or *PF7 in lieu of the original "stiff" leg gear. This wouldn't be the first time that has been done!
Well done conversion nonetheless and a pretty bird!