Waco 9

Waco 9
Waco 9 of 1925 exhibited in 1982 at the NASM storage and restoration facility at Silver Hill, Maryland in the outskirts of Washington DC.
Role three seat open cockpit biplane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Advance Aircraft Company
First flight 1925
Status about 10 survivors in 2007
Primary user barnstorming
Number built about 270

The Waco 9 is an American-built three-seat biplane design that first flew in 1925.

Development

The Waco 9 was the first of the steel-tubed fuselage aircraft designs to be built by the Advance Aircraft Company, which became the Waco Aircraft Company circa 1929. The Model 9 was a three-seat open cockpit biplane with the ailerons on the upper wings extending outboard of the main wing surfaces.

About 270 Model 9 aircraft were built during 1925 and 1926.[1]

Operational history

The Model 9 was of rugged construction to meet the barnstorming requirements of the period. The cost when new was between $2,025 and $2,500. A Waco 9 was flown in the 1926 Ford National Reliability Air Tour.[2]

The Model 9 was the first aircraft type to be fitted with aluminum floats (by the EDO Corporation in 1928).[1] By 2007, a few examples remained airworthy in the US and five aircraft were held by museums.[3]

Variants

Model 9s were fitted with a variety of engines including the 90 hp (67 kW) Curtiss OX-5, the 100 hp (75 kW) Curtiss OXX-6, 100 hp (75 kW) Curtiss C-6 and the 150 hp (112 kW) Hisso A.[1] Fitment of the various engines did not change the model number.

Aircraft on display

A Waco 9, C116, "Miss McKeesport" is a part of the Ohio History Connection permanent collection. The airplane is currently on loan to the WACO Air Museum in Troy, Ohio. The airplane was constructed in 1927 and restored in 1985. It still retains its original Curtiss OX-5 engine.[4]

A Waco 9, C218, is on display at the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum located in Hood River, Oregon. It is displayed in the Pacific Air Transport Air Mail livery.[5]

Specifications (Model 9 with Curtiss OX-5 engine)

Data from Aerofiles

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 2 passengers
  • Length: 23 ft 4 in (7.11 m)
  • Wingspan: 29 ft 6 in (8.99 m)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Curtiss OX-5 , 90 hp (67 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 92 mph (148 km/h, 80 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 79 mph (127 km/h, 69 kn)
  • Stall speed: 32 mph (51 km/h, 28 kn)
  • Range: 375–400 mi (604–644 km, 326–348 nmi)

References

Notes
  1. ^ a b c "WACO." Aerofiles. Retrieved: January 17, 2011.
  2. ^ Forden, Lesley. The Ford Air Ttours: 1925-1931. New Brighton Minnesota: Aviation Foundation of America, 2003, First edition 1972. No ISBN.
  3. ^ Ogden 2007, p. 607.
  4. ^ "Where is it now. Collections from the Former Ohio History of Flight Museum". Ohio History Connection Blog. Ohio History Connection. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  5. ^ Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum. "Waco Nine". waaamuseum.org. Archived from the original on March 29, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
Bibliography
  • Ogden, Bob. Aviation Museums and Collections of North America. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 2007. ISBN 0-85130-385-4.
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