WACO ARISTOCRAFT

Tue Nov 25, 2008 4:59 pm

Here are some shots of the last model built by Waco...the Waco "W" known as the "Aristocraft". It was built in 1946-47 and was powered by a six-cylinder Franklin with a drive shaft running the length of the fuselage. The airplane was not successful and never received an ATC. It remained at the factory until they went out of business in 1964. It was purchased by Terry O'Neill of Indiana. He got the airplane flying but over the years began modifying it from a pusher to a tractor. The airplane ended up looking completely different.

Thu Nov 27, 2008 6:19 pm

YKC,
Great googly moogly-that thing flew?! That is a just a bit odd. Got any pix of it converted to tractor config.? Does it still exist?
Happy thanksgiving,
doug

Thu Nov 27, 2008 7:19 pm

Kinda got that Piper Apache look to it.

Thu Nov 27, 2008 7:48 pm

I don't know but the Apache was a Stinson design IIRC.

Sully

Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:05 pm

The Apache was a Stinson design, but still that nose looks like one. Maybe the designers had a beer together!

Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:08 pm

Wouldn't be the first time. And yes, I see it now also.

Sully

Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:40 pm

I actually have an old Popular Mechanics from the 1940's showing Stinson's latest design...a twin (the Apache)! That is why Piper bought out Stinson so they could get the rights to build them...and that is why the very last Stinson 108-3's are called Piper-Stinson's. All the early Apache's and some of the 1949 and later Pipers all have interiors ala Stinson.

Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:03 pm

Here is a photo of what the last Waco became. It evolved even further to having a Jacobs radial engine and four wheels just like a car...even more hideous!

Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:44 pm

I learned something today!

The Stinson twin.

http://personalpages.tdstelme.net/~westin/ac-0.htm