Waco Standard Cabin series

Design

All of the Waco Standard Cabins were powered by cowled radial engines and Waco tried to accommodate their customers preferences for many of the more common commercially available engines of the period, hence the profusion of designations, as the first letter indicates the engine installed. Individual models were each certified with various available engines but not all variations found customers.

Fuselage structure was typical for the period, being welded chrome-moly tubing with light wood strips to fair the shape in and covered with fabric. Wings were built around two solid spruce spars with the airfoil formed from trussed ribs made from plywood and spruce. The leading edge was covered in aluminum sheeting and the whole assembly covered in fabric. Ailerons were interconnected with a strut mounted to the trailing edge and on some versions were sheeted with ribbed aluminum. Most models were not fitted with flaps – the VKS-7F, built for the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) being the exception. It was fitted with split flaps only on the undersides of the upper wings and at mid chord, inboard and just ahead of the ailerons. Wing bracing was with a canted N strut joining upper and lower wings, assisted by a single strut bracing the lower wing to the upper fuselage longeron, there being no bracing wires. Elevators and rudder were built up from welded steel tubing braced with wire cables, and both could be trimmed, the elevators in flight and the rudder with a ground adjustable tab. Normally the main undercarriage was made up of a pair of vees, sprung with oleo/spring struts and provided with brakes as standard equipment, and a free-castoring tailwheel sprung with triangulated shock cords. was fitted to most aircraft, although a small number for Brazil were fitted with a tail skid. Floats were also offered as an option, starting with the UIC which had Edo P-3300 floats. Later types (including the UKC, YKC and CJC) were offered with Edo 38-3430 floats.

Development

The standard cabin series were Waco's first successful cabin biplane design, and was developed to accompany the F series airframe in their lineup. The Model C series had the top longerons raised to form a four-seat cabin which was entered through a door between the wings on the left side and had a rather distinctive rear-view window that was cleaned up, and then dispensed with in the later standard cabins. The initial QDC model of 1931 was offered with a 165 hp Continental A70 cowled engine, or as the BDC, ODC, PDC and UDC with other engines (as listed under variants). 1932 saw the introduction of the OEC and UEC models. Continuous refinement and improvement by Waco Aircraft resulted in production of various sub-models continuing until 1939.

In 1935, Waco introduced its slightly larger Custom Cabin series (which featured a sesquiplane layout without ailerons on the lower wing) and decided to differentiate between the Standard and Custom Cabin types by appending an S to the model designator. in 1936 the C-S was replaced with an 'S' signifying 'Standard'. For example, the YKC of 1934 became the YKC-S of 1935 and the YKS of 1936, though with additional minor improvements.

Operational history

The Standard Cabin series, with its cabin comfort, proved to be popular with private pilot owners. Many were purchased by small commercial aviation firms and non-aviation businesses. With the onset of World War II, examples were impressed into the air forces of many Allied nations, including the US (USAAC and US Navy), the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. USAAC Designations assigned to standard cabin Wacos included UC-72D (for 2 VKS-7s), UC-72K (for 1 YKS-7) and UC-72M (for 2 ZKS-7s). Most were used as utility aircraft, however a small number were operated by the US Civil Air Patrol, conducting anti-submarine patrols off the US coastline from March 1942 to August 1943 armed with 50- or 100-pound bombs. In 1942 21 VKS-7F were built for the Civilian Pilot Training Program for use as navigational trainers. A single impressed YKC referred to as the Little Waco, RAF serial AX697, was used by the British Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) along with a Waco Custom Cabin ZGC-7 Big Waco to support their activities behind Axis lines. After World War II, some impressed UC-72 cabins returned to civilian operations, and a very few were additionally revamped (with FAA approval) with new engine models. This further complicated model nomenclature, though the FAA generally retained original nomenclatures for a given re-engined airframe. Fewer than 135 Standard Cabin series aircraft of several sub-models are currently registered in the USA.

Variants

Data from Aerofiles

Early Skylight

DC Series

:;BDC : 165 hp Wright R-540 engine. No record of production. :;ODC : 210 hp Kinner C-5 engine. modified to QDC. :;PDC : 170 hp Jacobs LA-1 engine. 2 built on special order.

:;QDC : 165 hp Continental A-70 engine. 37 built. :;UDC : 210 hp Continental R-670 engine. No record of production.

EC Series

:;BEC : 165 hp Wright R-540 engine. 1 built, [X12440], (converted to OEC or UEC). :;OEC : 210 hp Kinner C-5 engine. 3 built. :;UEC : 210 hp Continental R-670 engine. 40 built.

Late Skylight

IC Series

:;UIC : 210 hp Continental R-670 engine. 83 built.

JC Series

:;CJC : 250 hp Wright R-760 engine. 41 CJC, DJC & DJC-S built. :;DJC : 285 hp Wright R-760 engine.

KC Series

:;UKC : 210 hp Continental R-670 engine.

:;YKC : 225 hp Jacobs L-4 engine. 60 YKC built,

No Skylight

JC-S Series

:;CJC-S : 250 hp Wright R-760 engine. :;DJC-S : 285 hp Wright R-760 engine.

KC-S Series

:;UKC-S : 210 hp Continental R-670 engine. 40 built. :;YKC-S : 225 hp Jacobs L-4 engine. 22 YKC-S built :;ZKC-S : 285 hp Jacobs L-5 engine.

KS Series

:;UKS-6 : 210 hp Continental R-670 engine. 2 built. :;VKS-7 : 240 hp Continental W-670 engine. 18 built :;VKS-7F : Only Standard Cabin with flaps, built for Civilian Pilot Training Program as navigational trainer. F designates use of flaps. 21 built. :;YKS-6 : 225 hp Jacobs L-4 engine. 133 built. 65 YKS-6 built. :;ZKS-6 & 7 : 285 hp Jacobs L-5 engine. 29 built. re-designated from ZKC-S in 1936. :;HKS-7 : 300 hp Lycoming R-680-13 engine, installed with FAA approval.

Military designations

;D2W :Brazilian Navy designation for the CJC.

Operators

Military operators

Most operators operated either a single example, or a very small number. ;

• Argentine Air Force (8 x VKS-7)

;

• Royal Australian Air Force (1 x YQC-6)

;

• Brazilian Air Force (32 x CJC)

;Canada

• Royal Canadian Air Force (1 x YKS-6)

;

• Salvadoran Air Force (2 x UEC)

;

• Finnish Air Force (1 x YKS-7)
  • No. 36 Sqn used a Waco YKS-7 for maritime surveillance during World War II.

;

• Mexican Air Force (1 x UIC)

;

• Royal Netherlands Air Force (1 x UKC)

;

• Royal New Zealand Air Force – (1 x QDC, 1 x UIC)

;

• Royal Norwegian Air Force (1 x YKS-7)

;South Africa

• South African Air Force (UEC, others)

;

• Swedish Air Force (1 x UIC, 1 x UKC, 1)

;

• Royal Air Force (1 x YKC)

;

• United States Army Air Forces (2 x VKS-7 as UC-72D, 1 x YKS-7 as UC-72K & 2 ZKS-7 as UC-72M)
• United States Navy (3x YKS-7 impressed – no USN designation used)
• Civil Air Patrol (despite the name operated armed aircraft in a belligerent manner as a military organization)

Civil operators

Waco Custom Cabins were used in small numbers by a very large number of individual operators and were registered in the following countries (note that this list is not exhaustive).

Aircraft on display

Aside from the large number of Wacos that continue to exist in private hands, a number have also found their way into museums.

Specifications

Referenced from Juptner, U.S. Civil Aircraft, 1962, 1974, 1977 and 1980 (dates refer to specific volumes, not editions)

References

Notes

Bibliography

Books

Websites

Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum : Waco archives http://airandspace.si.edu/research/arch/findaids/waco/waco_sec_8.html Waco Aircraft Company Records Series I: Model Engineering Reports http://airandspace.si.edu/research/arch/findaids/waco/waco_sec_24.html Sales order (Waco serial number listing 1935–42) http://airandspace.si.edu/research/arch/findaids/waco/waco_sec_41.html Dates for model number drawings http://airandspace.si.edu/research/arch/findaids/waco/waco_sec_50.html Float installation (lists edo model numbers for some types)

References

1. Brandly, 1981, p.76
2. Juptner, 1962, pp. 39–40
3. Brandly, 1981, p.61
4. (2001). "Airlife's World Aircraft". Airlife Publishing Ltd.
5. Brandly, 1981, p.42
6. Juptner, 1962, p.282
7. Juptner, 1974, pp.94, 113, 135
8. Brandly, 1981, p.3
9. (1965). "The Aircraft of The World". Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd.
10. "That Waco Coding System".
11. [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r112:S10MY2-0006: Congressional Record – Awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to members of the Civil Air Patrol] {{Webarchive. link. (2016-01-14 Retrieved 27 June 2012.)
12. Jenner and List 1999, pp.9, 27, 45–46
13. http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=55536 (See 10 Nov 1947 entry)
14. FAA Website Record Search, 12 June 2009.
15. "SOVA: Smithsonian Online Virtual Archives – Waco Sales Orders".
16. "Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Taylorcraft-Piper J-3C-65, c/r N198K".
17. "Brazilian Military Aircraft Designations".
18. [http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/argentina/arg.html World Air Forces – Historical Listings – Argentina (ARG)] {{webarchive. link. (2012-01-25 , accessed 25 May 2012.)
19. [http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/australia/aus.html World Air Forces – Historical Listings – Australia (AUS)] {{webarchive. link. (2012-01-25 , accessed 25 May 2012.)
20. [http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/brazil/brz.html World Air Forces – Historical Listings – Brazil (BRZ)] {{webarchive. link. (2012-10-18 , accessed 25 May 2012.)
21. [http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/canada/can.html World Air Forces – Historical Listings – Canada (CAN)] {{webarchive. link. (2012-12-11 , accessed 25 May 2012.)
22. [http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/el_salvador/els.html World Air Forces – Historical Listings – El Salvador (ELS] {{webarchive. link. (2012-10-14 , accessed 25 May 2012.)
23. [http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/finland/fin.html World Air Forces – Historical Listings – Finland (FIN)] {{webarchive. link. (2012-01-25 , accessed 25 May 2012.)
24. [http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/mexico/mex.html World Air Forces – Historical Listings – Mexico (Mex)] {{webarchive. link. (2012-01-25 , accessed 25 May 2012.)
25. [http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/netherlands/net.html World Air Forces – Historical Listings – Netherlands (NET)] {{webarchive. link. (2012-01-25 , accessed 25 May 2012.)
26. [http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/new_zealand/nwz.html World Air Forces – Historical Listings – New Zealand (NWZ)], accessed 25 May 2012.
27. [http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/norway/nor.html World Air Forces – Historical Listings – Norway (NOR)] {{webarchive. link. (2012-01-25 , accessed 25 May 2012.)
28. [http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/sweden/swe.html World Air Forces – Historical Listings – Sweden (SWE)], accessed 25 May 2012.
29. "45 USAAF Impressed Wacos".
30. Joseph F. Baugher. (April 1, 2012). "US Navy and US Marine Corps Aircraft Serial Numbers and Bureau Numbers—1911 to Present".
31. http://www.goldenyears.ukf.net {{webarchive. link. (2012-02-19 Golden Years of Aviation (aircraft registrations), accessdate 29 May 2012)
32. link. (2012-02-17 accessed 12 June 2009.)
33. [http://www.alaskaairmuseum.org/flightline/hangar_rasmuson.php#waco Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum Flightline – Rasmuson Hangar] {{Webarchive. link. (2016-03-04 Retrieved 27 June 2012.)
34. [http://albertaaviationmuseum.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=41 Alberta Aviation Museum Waco UIC (1933)] Retrieved 27 June 2012.
35. [http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/media/press_releases/archives/19jun08/ Canada Aviation Museum's Newest Acquisition: A Waco Cabin Biplane Arrives in Good Company] Retrieved 27 June 2012.
36. [https://www.tocna.cz/waco-yks-6?lang=en Waco YKS-6 at Tocna Airport and Museum] Retrieved 9 August 2021.
37. [http://www.airventuremuseum.org/collection/aircraft/2Waco%20UEC.asp#TopOfPage EAA AirVenture Museum Waco UEC NC12472] Retrieved 27 June 2012.
38. [http://www.goldenwingsmuseum.com/collection/collection.htm Golden Wings Flying Museum – The Collection] Retrieved 27 June 2012.
39. [http://www.flugsafn.is/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=90&Itemid=143&lang=en Flugsafn Íslands – Aircraft on display in the Icelandic Aviation Museum] Retrieved 28 June 2012.
40. [http://www.musal.aer.mil.br/waco_cjc.htm Museu Aeroespacial – WACO CJC] Retrieved 27 June 2012.
41. [http://www.neam.org New England Air Museum] Retrieved 27 June 2012.
42. (July 2025)
43. link. (2012-05-13 Retrieved 27 June 2012.)
44. [http://www.ptaeromuseum.com/aircraft.html Port Townsend Aero Museum Aircraft Collection] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-05-05 Retrieved 28 June 2012.)
45. [http://wcam.mb.ca/1650/waco-cf-ays/ Western Canada Aviation Museum- WACO CF-AYS] {{Webarchive. link. (2016-03-03 Retrieved 27 June 2012.)
46. [https://yanksair.com/Products/167/70/Waco-UEC/ Yanks Air Museum – Collection – Waco "UEC"] Retrieved 27 June 2012.
47. Juptner, 1962 pp37-40, 195–198, 208–209, 280–284
48. Juptner, 1974 pp92-96, 111–116, 134–137, 243–249, 268–270, 349–357
49. Juptner, 1977 pp97-103, 113–114, 139–141, 170–173, 223–228, 267–269, 296–297
50. Juptner, 1980, pp56-59
51. Price is with standard equipment, with no extra options.
52. Price adjusted for inflation based on increase in price of consumer goods – aircraft prices may have differed.
53. Brandly, 1981 reports empty weight as 1,750lb(790kg)
54. Brandly, 1981 reports empty weight as 1,560lb (710kg)
55. Brandly, 1981 reports maximum speed as 136 mph (219 km/h)
56. floatplane fitted with Edo P-3300 floats
57. Weights changed to 1,755lbs empty, 3,000lbs max gross and 1,245lbs max load
58. Floatplane fitted with 38-3430 Edo floats
59. Brandly, 1981 reports price as $6,285
60. Brandly, 1981 reports price as $6,450
61. M = magneto ignition, MB = magneto and battery ignition
62. Weights later amended
63. Brandly, 1981 reports price as $13,500
64. Price and weight increases reflect extensive equipment fit for use as navigational trainer