The Waco Model W Aristocraft was an American four-seat monoplane, the last aircraft designed and built by the Waco Aircraft Company.[1] It had an unusual configuration with an engine mounted at the front driving a pusher propeller at the rear.[1]
Design and development
The Aristocraft was an attempt by Waco to enter the post-war market for light aircraft.[1] The prototype first flew in March 1947 powered by a 215 hp (160 kW) Franklin 6AL piston engine mounted at the front with a shaft driven pusher propeller at the rear.[1] Of all-metal construction it was a high-wing monoplane with twin fins and rudders, It had a partially retractable tricycle landing gear.[1]
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.[1] 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.[2]
Specifications
Data from Aerofiles.com,[3] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1947[4]
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Capacity: 3 pax
Length: 25 ft 0 in (7.63 m)
Wingspan: 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m)
Height: 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m)
Powerplant: 1 × Franklin 6AL 6-cyl. air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 215 hp (160 kW) at 2,500 rpm
Propellers: 2-bladed Hartzell, 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) diameter reversible pitch propeller
Performance
Maximum speed: 154 mph (248 km/h, 134 kn)
Cruise speed: 152 mph (245 km/h, 132 kn) at 5,000 ft (1,500 m)
Landing speed: 65 mph (56 kn; 105 km/h)
Stall speed: 55 mph (89 km/h, 48 kn)
Range: 408 mi (657 km, 355 nmi) at5,000 ft (1,500 m)
Service ceiling: 17,500 ft (5,300 m)
Rate of climb: 950 ft/min (4.8 m/s)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
