Waco 9
Waco · United States · first flew 1925 · light aircraft
The Waco 9 was a popular American three-seat open biplane of the mid-1920s, powered by the widely available Curtiss OX-5 engine and used extensively for barnstorming, private flying, and early commercial charter work. Some 270 were built, making it one of Waco's most successful early types.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Welded steel tube fuselage with fabric covering |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Three-seat open-cockpit biplane with Curtiss OX-5 water-cooled engine
- Welded steel tube fuselage with fabric covering
- Ailerons on upper wing only; strut-and-wire bracing
A classic 1920s American biplane with equal-span wings, strut-and-wire bracing, a prominent water-cooled inline engine, and an open cockpit arrangement seating one pilot forward and two passengers aft.
Specifications
- The Waco 9 has a length of 7.14 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.45 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 148 km/h (92 mph).
- Typical crew: 1-3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Introduced in 1925, the Waco 9 capitalised on the abundance of cheap surplus OX-5 engines available after World War I. Its welded steel tube fuselage gave it durability above typical wood-and-fabric contemporaries. The type helped establish the Weaver Aircraft Company (Waco) as a leading manufacturer of light biplanes in the 1920s and formed the foundation for a long line of Waco designs.
Variants
Subsequent Waco models (GXE, INF, etc.) offered different engines; the Model 9 specifically refers to the OX-5-powered version.
Where you'll see it
Widely used by private owners, barnstormers, and small commercial operators across the United States in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
Related aircraft
- Waco PT-14
- Waco LRW-1
- Aero A.11
- Atlantic Aircraft F-10A
- Blackburn R.2 Airedale
- de Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth
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