The Waco Model W Aristocraft was an American four-seat monoplane, the last aircraft designed and built by the
Waco Aircraft Company
The Waco Aircraft Company (WACO) was an aircraft manufacturer located in Troy, Ohio, United States. Between 1920 and 1947, the company produced a wide range of civilian biplanes.
The company initially started under the name Weaver Aircraft C ...
.
It had an unusual configuration with an engine mounted at the front driving a pusher propeller at the rear.
Design and development
The Aristocraft was an attempt by Waco to enter the post-
war
War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular o ...
market for light aircraft.
The prototype first flew in March 1947 powered by a
Franklin 6AL piston engine mounted at the front with a shaft driven pusher propeller at the rear.
Of all-metal construction it was a high-wing monoplane with twin fins and rudders, It had a partially retractable tricycle landing gear.
The company had orders for 300 aircraft but decided that the type would need costly development in a shrinking market and only the prototype was completed.
Waco sold the design rights and in the 1960s efforts were made to market the type for home-construction.
The sole prototype was eventually purchased in the early 1960s and restored to flight.
Specifications
See also
References
Notes
Bibliography
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{{Waco aircraft
1940s United States civil utility aircraft
Aristocraft
Single-engined pusher aircraft
Mid-engined aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1947