Early U.S. air carriers experimented with aircraft from dozens of startup manufacturers. An early favorite were the open-cockpit biplane offerings from the Weaver Aircraft Company from Troy, Ohio, a firm that started in 1920 and changed its name to WACO in 1928.
WACO developed dozens of models and subtypes over its 27-year history and even got into closed-cabin craft used by airlines and early corporate transports. The manufacturer appears not just in the Northwest timeline, but also at the beginning of the North Central story!
Since 1986, WACO Classic Aircraft has been constructing new-build aircraft to modern standards using the heritage blueprints, so it’s not unusual to see one of these timeless designs at an airfield near you.
If you use these photos, please credit the Northwest Airlines History Center – please also contact us to let us know how you’re using them and if we can be of further help!
Northwest
NWA was an enthusiastic operator of WACO airframes, with four examples of the model 10-9 GXE (registrations C4774, C4775, C4776, and C5274); one Model 10W (C7446); one Model DSO-150; one Model JTO, and a pair of Model JYM (NR731K and NR631N).
Wisconsin Central
When the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company of Clintonville, Wisconsin decided to set up a corporate flight wing, their first purchases were for a pair of WACO four-seat biplanes. The first was a model UIC, registration NC13434, and the other was a model C-7, registration NC2270. In the summer of 1944, these were traded out for Cessna Bobcats as the outfit began its evolution into Wisconsin Central.
