Warbird Information Exchange

1931 Waco QCF-2 NC11427


1937 Waco VKS-7 NC17700


1939 Waco AGC-8 NC66206


1941 Waco UPF-7 NC30188


1935 Waco YOC NC15244


All photos taken at the National Waco Club Reunion 2008

I was showing my girlfriend these pictures and her first observation was "Hey, they're all red!"

Got any other colours?

Cheers,

David

Me like the QCF, nice paint scheme! Were they painted like that from the factory, or were they custom painted from the factory?

Red was/is a popular color for Wacos. As far as a standard paint scheme, after 1930 or so Waco didn't build an airplane unless they had an order for one. You could order your airplane painted any way you wanted. If color was not high on your list of priorities, then they did off what they called "standard" colors. For the opens that usually meant red/green or blue fuselages with silver wings and tail. For the Cabins that usually meant gunmetal grey with red or blue striping. The striping on the fuselage (as far as style) was standard by year. Same with wing leading edge striping. Basically, Waco was open to anything as long as you paid $$$$$ for it!

Where is the YOC from, haven't seen that one before

Another red Waco for you, since we seem to be on that topic today!

So what you're saying is that by looking at the striping on a Waco you "could/should" be able to tell the year it was produced?

If so, that's quite interesting.

Of course over time, planes were probably re-painted with different lines.

Thanks,

David

Only if looking at an original photo and that does not hold true 100% of the time. Very few Wacos are restored with the correct striping today. Same goes with cowls and wheelpants. Many are flying with Cessna UC-78 cowls, fibreglass wheelpants that are more Howard-like then Waco, etc.

Another way to tell the year made is by the N number. For instance, 11 is 1931 (ex. 11253), 12 is 1932 (ex. 12457), 13 is 1933 (ex. 13066), etc. However, there are a few in there that do not follow the pattern (mine is a good example; NC14620 is 1935). This numbering series only held true from 1931-1939...however, there were no 18 series N numbers for 1938. Late 1929-1930 were generally 3-digit followed by N, K, Y, V (ex. NC663Y). However, you need to know whether it is a ASO/BSO/CSO/DSO/HSO/PSO/QSO based on the specific engine. If it is not a Straightwing, then it has to be an RNF/INF/KNF/MNF/ENF. Easiest way to tell is the angled ailerons and the tailwheel that is about two foot forward of the tailpost. If the number is just four digits then it is most likely a 1927-1929 model (ex. NC8558). If it has 3-digits and ends in H or E then it is a 1929 model (ex: NC719E). The UPF-7 series used 209 (NC20979), 293 (NC29303), 299 (NC29998), 301 (NC30122), 320 (NC32065), 321 (NC32158), 397 (NC39753) numbers. If it is a 1941 Standard Cabin then it used 316 (NC31663). See how confusing??????

By the way, there are a number of T-6/SNJ that are flying with original Waco CAA-assigned N numbers!