Great Machines: Reissuing a Classic Biplane

Jan Morgan

06/02/2004

WACO YMF SUPER
The 1920s and ’30s were, indeed, the romantic golden age of aviation. During that time any aircraft was special, and even being close enough to touch one was quite a treat. To ride in one was for many a once-in-a-lifetime—and in some cases, a life-changing—experience. During this period, the Weaver Aircraft Co. (WACO) flourished and was among the largest aircraft manufacturers in the world. WACO (the acronym rhymes with “taco”) produced rugged biplanes with excellent flying characteristics, and its customers ranged from wealthy sportsmen and air show barnstormers to flight schools and the military.

The WACO YMF Super is built from original drawings, albeit with a number of slight detail changes, and produced under its original 50-year-old FAA-type certificate.  (Click image to enlarge)

WACO’s premier design was the YMF, a large biplane that had a wide front cockpit suitable for two passengers (an advantage to the barnstormer giving rides at five bucks a head) and a reliable Jacobs 7-cylinder radial engine. The technology in this aircraft represented the best efforts of WACO and was the finest example of its type available at the time.

In 1983, a group of aviation enthusiasts created the Classic Aircraft Corp., with the purpose of again producing the WACO YMF. This would not be a modern interpretation of the original design, but the original aircraft developed from the original drawings and produced under its original 50-year-old FAA-type certificate. Of course, there would be improvements, including using modern 4130 steel for the framework in lieu of the original’s corrosion-prone and heavier mild steel tube. Modern Cleveland hydraulic toe brakes and the latest avionics were another change. In total, more than 300 detail changes improved comfort, safety, serviceability, and reliability. (Click image to enlarge)


Classic Aircraft’s WACO YMF Super is the real thing. Handcrafted from steel, aluminum, wood, and fabric and equipped with the original 275 hp Jacobs R755B2 engine, this aircraft is a work of art. A walk around the YMF is a lesson in the standards and practices used in the construction of fabric-covered biplanes. Knife-edged stainless steel flying wires lace the top and bottom wings to steel struts, giving great strength to the structure. The aesthetically pleasing, streamlined cowl that covers the engine improves cooling and promises greater speed. The quality of the paint and metalwork is flawless. The finished YMF is easily the equal of any grand classic car restoration that I have seen, yet it is all new.

The experience in the open cockpit replicates that of barnstormers in the early 20th century.  (Click image to enlarge)

In looking at this beautiful machine, I felt some of that same anticipation that children must have felt upon seeing a YMF land at a local farmer’s field. I wanted—no, needed—to fly it. Getting in was not a simple operation, however. I found that it was a tall step up onto the WACO’s wing. The cockpit has a high coaming, and it is necessary to swing a leg over into the cockpit, stand on the seat, and lower oneself into position. The forward passenger compartment has a proper door, but the aperture is narrow and requires passengers to duck under the top wing, lean into the front cockpit and turn, then drop into the wide bench seat. The seat accommodates two medium-sized adults, making it a cozy place to experience a flying adventure. Of course, the YMF’s front cockpit has flying and brake controls and instruments, making it a fine biplane trainer.

Starting the 755 cu in Jacobs radial is simple, with a primer and an electric starter. After about 15 minutes of warm-up, Doug Dullenkopf of Screaming Eagle Aviation completed the engine run-up and control checks before we rolled out onto the runway. The big Jacobs with its large wood fixed prop accelerated the large aircraft quickly; the tail came up and the aircraft became airborne in a few hundred feet. Using a climb speed of about 80 mph, the YMF settled down to a smooth 1,000-feet-per-minute climb as Dullenkopf tuned in some Vivaldi on the stereo system, one of the plane’s more modern accoutrements. The YMF has large windshields, and it was surprisingly calm in the cockpits, making heavy clothing or goggles unnecessary on a typical spring day in southern California.


Flying the WACO is a trip back to a time when engineers and pilots designed aircraft without the benefit of legal departments. The controls are solid and linear in their response and effort. I was expecting to use more rudder when turning, but the big YMF has less yaw than I expected. The feel was that of the best aircraft of that period, with excellent control feel, and fine flying qualities. There is a satisfaction in flying these older designs—executing that perfect aerobatic maneuver, achieving that perfect synchronization of stick and rudder, feeling the pressure of the wind against the flying surfaces in the controls. This is flying, and not the systems management of modern aircraft.

Cruising at about 120 mph, the YMF is no speed machine, but this sort of aircraft is not about speed. It is about romance. Hopping over the mountaintops, checking out the newest large mansion, or cruising down the coast, the Jacobs rumbling as only a big radial can, the YMF gives the pilot and passengers a feeling of well-being. In the ’30s, you would have felt like the king of the world. Here, nearly a century later, the feeling is still the same. It is no wonder that the “average” YMF Super owner also owns a Citation jet. Even busy type A’s have to slow down and enjoy themselves. For a pilot, the YMF’s open cockpits and the view through the flying wires between the wings induce some of the best relaxation available. (Click image to enlarge)

Returning to the airport, the YMF demonstrated fine manners on landing. The wide-based landing gear, excellent rudder authority, and long fuselage make landings easy once the pilot gets used to the limited visibility over the large engine cowling of this big tail dragger. For owners operating their YMF in controlled air traffic environments, Classic has provided options for an excellent avionics suite, including an S-Tec autopilot with altitude hold, traffic avoidance systems, Garmin GPS, and comprehensive IFR instrumentation. A constant speed prop is also available, equipped with a large chrome spinner and offering improved climb performance. Many pilots prefer the classic look of the standard wood prop, as performance improvements are not what this aircraft is about.

For a pilot seeking to rekindle that romance between man, machine, and sky, there is nothing better than the WACO YMF Super. This particular aircraft is available from Screaming Eagle Aviation at a price of $279,000, equipped with GPS and IFR instrumentation.

Screaming Eagle Aviation
805.525.7121

WACO Classic Aircraft Corp.
269.565.1000
www.wacoclassic.com