FFF - Flugzeuge für Freaks: Waco YKS

WACO - YKS

Ford Truck 1924 und Waco YKS-6-s von 1936

Cockpit der Waco YKS-6

The WACO Weaver Aircraft Company of Troy, Ohio was the leading aircraft manufacturer of civilian aircraft in the U. S. from 1928 - 1935. Beginning in 1921 as the Weaver Aircraft Company in Lorain, Ohio, they moved to Troy in 1924 and became the Advance Aircraft Company but kept the WACO logo. In 1929, the name was changed to simply the WACO Aircraft Company.

WACO produced over 80 models during the years 1919 - 1946, including the large troop carrying gliders used in all the major invasions during WWII. The best selling WACO was the Model 10, with over 1100 being produced from 1927 - 1930. During the years 1939 - 1942, WACO also built just over 600 Model UPF-7's for the CAA and the Civilian Pilot Training program. WACOs were also popular around the world, airplanes were sold to 37 different countries with Brazil being the largest buyer. (WACO Air Museum online, Oct. 2008)

Heute noch geflogene Waco YKS sind zumeist in
Privatbesitz, in Luxembourg zum Beispiel.
Auch im Kunstflug taucht sie wieder auf
mit Nachfolgemodellen.

The YKS-6 was a large cabin biplane with seating for 4-5 people. Its large wing area and overall light weight allowed it take off and land in undeveloped areas common to the US in the 1930’s. One YKS-6 is owned by the Deutsches Museum Flugwerft Schleißheim. This airplane was originally built as an ambulance aircraft in 1936 and spent the bulk of it service life on floats in the Alaska outback. Restored in 1989 the plane was later shipped to Germany and is still in flying condition with its original registration numbers.