Waco 10

Categorizing Waco aircraft is a challenge. Even the company name is fraught. Starting out as the Weaver Aircraft Company, it became Advance Aircraft Company, and finally Waco Aircraft Company (and there are contemporary versions.) It is pronounced “wah-co,” not “way-co,” as is the city in Texas. Most of its aircraft have three letter designators which identify the engine, airframe, and series. The Waco 10 is also the Waco GXE.

The Waco 10 was used for training, sport flying, and carrying mail by some of the early airlines. Charlie Meyers, largely responsible for the design work, won first place with a Waco 10 in the 1927 Air Derby from New York to Spokane, WA, covering 2,352 miles in 30 hours and 23 minutes. Two other Waco 10s placed in the top ten.

The Aerodrome’s Waco crashed around 1930 and was rebuilt by George Reese of Naples, NY. It later landed in a tree, and on another occasion, it landed and nosed over in a field. Reese is reputed to have slept beside it, uprighted it, and flew it away with minimal repairs. It is said that it was originally owned by famous pilot, Russell Holderman of Wantagh, Long Island. Cole had a difficult time acquiring it, because the owner originally thought it to be a more valuable World War I aircraft.

Click for more information about the Waco 10