February 2005 41
Why Not
Model...
WACO YMF-5
Port side of the YMF-5. Note landing light in left lower wing panel’s LE. There are many colorful schemes for this airplane.
smelling the oil and exhaust is the tonic of the
Golden Age of Aviation.
But wind in the wires is a unique sound
for biplanes; it’s music to the ears of opencockpit
pilots and modelers. WACO
biplanes have been favorite modeling
subjects since modelers could put two sticks
together. The shape, lines, and gloss of the
classic paint schemes set the WACOs apart
from most other biplanes. This was true in
the 1930s and it’s true today.
By the mid-1930s, WACO was the
number-one civil or military airplane
producer in the United States. The company
produced a variety of designs for the civil,
business, and military market. Some of the
many biplane types were the standard opencockpit
models, such as the WACO 7 through
10 varieties. There was also the famous
WACO Taperwing series, including the
ATO, CTO, and JYM designations which
were sold around the world.
WIND IN THE wires is a sound that has
been heard in aviation since 1903. Climbing
up the left side of the fuselage and carefully
sliding into a fabric-and-steel-tube-covered
biplane was the thrill of a lifetime for many
pilots and passengers. Feeling the vibration of
the radial engine just ahead of you and
There are a total of 14 cowl bumps—two
for each cylinder. The spinner is an option
on the new WACO YMF-5.
From the rear you can see the generous rudder size, the elevators, and the bracing
wires. This photo was taken at Oshkosh WI in the antique aircraft area.
by Stan Alexander
Photos courtesy the author
42 MODEL AVIATION
The UPF-7 version was put into service during World War II as a trainer. Notice the
differences in its fin and rudder compared to those on the YMF-5.
The various fin and rudder shapes on the different WACO designs are easy to see.
There are plenty of existing subjects on which to base a model.
However, the company didn’t limit itself
to biplanes, such as the WACO Model 10 or
the much later AVN-8 model with tricycle
gear, as many people may think. In 1930,
WACO started producing an airplane that
would eventually lead to a type used in World
War II: the military assault glider. These
weren’t biplane gliders, but simple singleplace
trainers.
During World War II, the WACO troop
gliders carried Allied forces into battle on DDay.
WACO or a company building the
gliders for it produced and delivered 95% of
all glider forces. As were many aircraft,
WACOs were built and constructed by
several companies, including Aeronca.
WACO continued to build a variety of
civil and military biplanes through the end of
World War II. Quite a few of them are still
flying at air shows and fly-ins today.
The F-model WACOs were not one
particular aircraft type; they were a series of
biplanes powered by the more familiar radials
and the in-line Menasco engine. F-series
designations included RNF, INF, MNF, QCF-
2, UPF-2, UBF-2, YMF-3, YMF-5, UMF-3,
CPF-1, YPF-6, ZPF-6, VPF, ZPF-7, and
UPF-7.
WACO produced at least 17 different
versions of this series by 1942. There were
cabin F models and the more familiar threeplace
biplanes. The forward cockpit was
designed to hold two passengers or a student.
The F designs were sold for pleasure and for
work, and the military used some of them as
trainers in World War II.
The first WACO F models were designed
to keep the leading commercial and civil
manufacturer in the forefront of aviation in
the US. These new aircraft included
improvements over the then-current models,
including the tail wheel, balanced elevators,
full cockpit upholstery, Bendix brakes,
storage pockets in both cockpits, and dual
brake controls. But the 1930s proved to be the
swan song for biplane production.
The two YMF models were similar. The
YMF-3 was produced in 1934, tweaked in
1935 with improvements and a larger rudder,
and designated the YMF-5. It sold for $6,795
in 1935, which was expensive at the time. It
was powered by the Jacobs 245-horsepower
radial engine. The YMF-5 was popular with
pilots and owners; it was aerobatic,
inexpensive to operate, and able to land on
grass or paved fields with the tail wheel.
More UPF-7s were produced than any
other F type. The US Army Air Force and the
Navy used them for pilot training in World
War II, and they were built until December
1942. I have included a side view of a UPF
model for reference. This particular airframe
was built on September 25, 1941, and was
sold to Harte Air Service, Inc. in Wichita,
Kansas. The 30-foot-wingspan beauty is
currently powered by a Continental 220-
horsepower radial.
Notice the difference in the shape of the
fin and rudder between the YMF-5 and the
UPF-7. The fin on the YMF had much more
area. The rear cockpit on this particular
airplane appears to have been modified from
the original configuration of other aircraft in
the series.
In 1983, several men began working to
bring an idea to fruition; they were set on
being the first group to produce an aircraft that
hadn’t been built in 50 years under the
original type certificate. They wanted to bring
a childhood dream to reality.
While maintaining the YMF-5’s integrity,
these aeronautical engineers—some of whom
had worked for Piper, Taylorcraft, and Ford—
made close to 300 engineering changes. They
redrew more than 1,400 drawings and built
new tooling for expected production. Their
efforts resulted in truly handmade aircraft,
constructed one at a time. The first of the new
airplanes rolled off the assembly line in March
1986 in Lansing, Michigan.
The WACO YMF Super was introduced
in 1991. It features more internal width—
more legroom increased useful load—a
balanced rudder, and a larger front entry door.
The fuselage is covered with aluminum back
past the front cockpit so that passengers who
are not used to flying don’t punch holes in the
fabric covering.
The new YMF-5 has been sold around the
world, including to pilots in Canada,
Switzerland, Germany, Kenya, Mexico, South
Africa, Australia, and the Caribbean. The
continuation of the WACO YMF series is a
testament to the type’s popularity with
modelers and full-scale aviation enthusiasts.
Most of the model kits of WACOs or
biplanes produced in the last 30 years have
been of the YMF-5. The only other Americanbuilt
biplane that has been as popular is the
Boeing Stearman trainer series.
The YMF-5 has classic lines, a nicely
rounded fuselage, and a long tail moment.
Most plans producers and designers use a
“half-shell” method of fuselage construction.
Also, building in a fixture works well with the
rounded framework. The model doesn’t have
as many nasty habits as, say, Pitts biplanes or
other purpose-built aerobatic biplanes, which
are usually compact and short coupled.
Color schemes for the YMF-5 abound,
and there are several sizes to pick from if
you want to build a kit. The WACO is
aerobatic although it’s not a purpose-built
aerobatic biplane. For a beautiful silhouette
in the air with a four-stroke in the cowl, add
some smoke; they sound and look great! Try
a WACO and remember that real airplanes
have two wings and round engines.
The aircraft shown is a WACO Classic
that is currently produced in Battle Creek,
Michigan, under the same type license as the
earlier models. It has the same classic lines as
the earlier version of the wonderful WACO
YMF-5. Enjoy a WACO!
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
Stan Alexander
3709 Valley Ridge Dr.
Nashville TN 37211
onawing@mindspring.com
WACO YMF-5 specifications:
Wingspan: 30 feet
Length: 23 feet, 35⁄8 inches
Height: 8 feet, 53⁄8 inches
Chord: 57 inches
Airfoil: Clark Y
Engine: Jacobs L-4 225-horsepower radial
Top speed: 148 mph
Cruising speed: 130 mph
Landing speed: 47 mph
Paul Matt scale three-views courtesy of Wind
Canyon Books Inc. (formerly Aviation
Heritage)
Box 1445
Niceville FL 32588
(800) 952-7007
books@windcanyon.com
www.windcanyon.com
www.aviation-heritage.com
WACO Organizations:
WACO Field
1956 N. County Road 25A
Troy OH 45373
Directions: Take I-75 to Exit 69, and then go
roughly two miles north on County Road 25A
toward Troy; it’s on your right. Private airport
open by appointment only. For information,
contact Dave Bucher at (937) 339-3345, Bob
and Pat Wagner at (937) 698-3884, or Joe
Balmer at (937) 335-1272. Modelers are
welcome, provided they are WACO
Historical Society and AMA members. Check
with an official before flying in all cases.
WACO Museum
105 S. Market St. (just outside Troy Square)
Troy OH 45373
(937) 355-WACO (9226)
WACO Historical Society
Box 62
Troy OH 45373
Membership rates for an individual or family
are $30 per year. The student rate is $10
Contact Bill Jackson at jackapen@
voyager.net.
WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation
Box 1229
Battle Creek MI 49016
flywaco@wacoclassic.com
(616) 565-1000
Fax: (616) 565-1100
Books:
WACO Airplanes: Ask Any Pilot the
Authentic History of WACO by Ray Brandly
ISBN 0960273468
213 pages
Published in 1989 by Zenith Aviation Books
Contains WACO history and black-and-white
photos.
The Famous “F” Series by Raymond Brandly
ISBN 0960273417
60 pages
Published in 1980 by Times Publishing
Company
Contains history of the complete F series of
WACO aircraft, with black-and-white photos.
Magazines:
International WACO Association Volume 1,
Number 1, spring 1990
Also available from Aviation Heritage (see
preceding address)
Contains three-view and article on page 5.
Contact Wind Canyon Books (see preceding
address) for information about the availability
of WACO magazines that offer a wealth of
information on these wonderful aircraft.
Model Aviation
I wrote the article “Classic Aircraft’s
WACO,” published in the August 1994
issue on pages 25-29. It contains photos
and three-views.
Documentation:
Bob’s Aircraft Documentation
3114 Yukon Ave.
Costa Mesa CA 92626
(714) 979-8058
Fax: (714) 979-7279
Carries views of the YMF-5 and more than
14 Foto Paaks. One Paak contains the
interior and instruments.
Jim Pepino’s Scale Plans & Photo Service
3209 Madison Ave.
Greensboro NC 27403
Tel./fax: (336) 292-5239
Carries eight photo packs and three-views.
Kit source:
Pica Enterprises
2657 NE 188th St.
Miami FL 33180
(305) 935-1436
Fax: (305) 937-2322
Offers two WACO kits: one with a 60-inch
wingspan for .60-.75 power and one with a
72-inch wingspan for a good 120 fourstroke
engine. Check with your local
hobby shop.
Plans:
Jim Pepino’s Scale Plans & Photo Service
(see preceding address)
Plans by Jim Pepino for a 90-inch-span
model are $35 plus $6 shipping and
handling for mailing tube. Several kit
cutters also produce these kits.
Bill Northrop’s Plans Service
2019 Doral Ct.
Henderson NV 89014
(702) 896-2162
Fax: (702) 897-7775
Bill has plans for a 40-inch-span YMF-5
and .25 engine by Al Wheeler.
