WACO Aircraft’s history stretches back more than a century, with the modern company honoring the legacy of its pioneering name.
Timeline
The 1920s-1930s
The original Weaver Aircraft Company (WACO) was founded in 1920 in Lorain, Ohio, by George “Buck” Weaver, Elwood “Sam” Junkin, Clayton “Clayt” Bruckner and Charles “Charlie” William Meyers. They designed and built aircraft from surplus World War I Curtiss Jenny parts, leading to the successful WACO 4 and WACO 5 models.
In 1923, the company relocated to Troy, Ohio, and became Advance Aircraft Company while maintaining the WACO brand. The WACO 6, WACO 7 and the six-passenger WACO 8 followed, but it was the WACO Nine, introduced in 1925, that truly put WACO on the map. With its state-of-the-art design, the WACO Nine outperformed surplus Curtiss Jennys and sold 276 units by 1927. It was widely used in barnstorming, crop dusting and air racing.
WACO introduced the improved Model 10 in 1927, featuring a larger wing area, bigger cockpit, and shock-absorbing landing gear. By 1927, WACO aircraft accounted for over 40% of small aircraft sales in the U.S. The company continued its success with the WACO Taperwing in 1928 and officially changed its name to WACO Aircraft Corporation in 1929.
In 1931, WACO entered the business aircraft market with the QDC cabin biplane, later replaced by the more successful UIC in 1933. The UIC’s well-appointed cabin and stable handling made it popular among corporations and aviators. Subsequent models, such as the UKC/YKC/CJC series, remained popular with figures like Jacqueline Cochran and Henry Dupont.
World War II Era
During World War II, WACO suspended civilian aircraft production to manufacture CG4-A troop-carrying gliders. After the war, WACO ceased aircraft production in 1946, though its legacy endured among aviation enthusiasts.
WACO Aircraft Reawakens
In 1983, Classic Aircraft Corporation in Lansing, Michigan, set out to revive the WACO YMF. They modernized the design with over 300 engineering improvements while preserving its vintage aesthetics. The first WACO YMF Classic was certified in 1986, followed by the YMF-5C Super in 1991.
The company moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1999. Under new ownership by Peter and Jon Bowers in 2008, WACO introduced the YMF-5D Super and revived the Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 aerobatic biplane in 2013.
In 2018, DIMOR Group, Inc. acquired WACO Aircraft, continuing its mission to revive the Golden Era’s open cockpit flying experience, eventually expanding its legacy with aircraft such as Junkers A50 Junior.