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N9553
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1929 Waco ATO TAPERWING C/N A-44Discuss this aircraft in forum |
by Doug Robertson @ SZP
by Doug Robertson @ SZP
by Doug Robertson @ SZP
by Doug Robertson @ SZP
| Manufacturer: | Waco |
| Model: | ATO TAPERWING Search all Waco ATO TAPERWING |
| Year built: | 1929 |
| Construction Number (C/N): | A-44 |
| Aircraft Type: | Fixed wing single engine |
| Number of Seats: | 3 |
| Number of Engines: | 1 |
| Engine Type: | Reciprocating |
| Engine Manufacturer and Model: | Jacobs R755B SERIES |
| Registration Number: | N9553 |
| Mode S (ICAO24) Code: | AD49FB |
| Certification Class: | Standard |
| Certification Issued: | 2010-10-14 |
| Air Worthiness Test: | 2005-04-20 |
| Last Action Taken: | 2010-10-14 |
| Current Status: | Valid |
| Registration Type: | Individual |
| Address: | Lakeville, OH 44638 United States |
| Region: | Great Lakes |
| Model: | ATO TAPERWING (by Doug Robertson on 2006-03-27 00:00:00) |
| Doug Robertson, 2006-03-27 00:00:00 | |
| The Waco ATO TAPERWING differed from the -SO in the wing shape; the -SOs having "straight" wings. About 100 Waco TAPERWINGs were built between 1928 and 1930. Before 1930 the "A" stood for the engine, a 220 Hp Wright J-5 Whirlwind. The "T" represents the tapered wing shape. The "O" standing for the Waco 10- type fuselage. N9553 with upgraded engine carries its historic nomenclature. The Waco Aircraft Corporation of Troy, Ohio was formed in 1929 from the Advance Aircraft Company which itself was formed in 1923 from the previous Weaver Aircraft Company (so named by one of its founders, Buck Weaver) which first traded under the name WACO. Waco Designer C.W. Meyers and distributer Johnny Livingston raced the ATO model with spectacular results. The ATO TAPERWINGs had a large following among sportsmen of the era including Tex Rankin, Jimmy Lund, Art Davis and Joe Mackey who performed acrobatic flight in TAPERWING Wacos. The tapered wings, four ailerons and short wingspan helped reduce roll rate. N9553 has full instrumentation in the rear cockpit and is flown from there. As stated, the original engine in Waco ATOs was the 220 Hp Wright J-5 Whirlwind radial. The J-5 engine was one of the most reliable radials of its day. It got Charles Lindbergh from New York to Paris solo non-stop non-refueled in 1927 and powered the 1927 Collier Trophy winner. N9553 has been repowered with a Jacobs R755B of 275 Hp, with corresponding increase in performance over original. Waco ATO original specifications: Engine: Wright J-5 Whirlwind of 220 Hp Wingspan: 30.2 ft. Length: 22.5 Ft. Wing Area: 227 Sq. Ft. Empty weight: 1,787 lbs. Max Weight: 2,600 lbs. VMax: 125 mph VCruise: 110 mph VStall: 52 mph Initial climb rate: 950 ft/min. Price: FAF $8,525 The Waco ATO TAPERWING is one of the prettiest vintage and veteran biplanes. The rounded empennage complements perfectly the handsome wing taper. N9553 is a beautifully restored example. | |
| Doug Robertson, 2011-12-03 16:26:34 | |
| I received email regarding this aircraft, N9553 from Mike Smith. It is NOT a restored 1929 build Waco ATO factory aircraft, but is the prototype NuWaco Taperwing re-registered falsely with the FAA. As a result, I am entering the evidence here and will edit my Waco Taperwing article accordingly. Mike Smith's email follows with his permission; thank you Mike! Subject: Taperwing The taperwing in your story is NOT an original factory aircraft, but the prototype NuWaco built by Ernie Bode. After he sold the aircraft, a subsequent owner found paperwork and is passing it off as a factory aircraft, but having flown it many hours, can assure you this is a reproduction. We flew it to Oshkosh where we had a booth in 1985 to display and sell kits. Ernie sold his business with tooling to Rare Aircraft in MN and is the basis for their repro taperwing biz. Many have hung paperwork on aircraft before, but to attribute this to the factory is egregious. My aside; The FAA database is rife with errors, and they don't seem interested in corrections because of expense to correct involved, etc, which will be on the registration applicant. | |