Pitts Sold: Next On Sale, Taperwing WACO

The Taperwing WACO is the most fun to fly airplane ever made.

The 1929 Taperwing WACO described here will go on sale late summer 2010. First I will repaint the wings and give rides to helping friends this summer.

I hope to update this monthly and show you more of the insides of the Taperwing.

If you like to fly, bid on it. If you don't like to fly, don't.

*** WACO VIDEO LINK, (youtube: Opens in a new window.)
*** Link to detailed pictures of wing redo.

Questions Gladly Answered. Contact: Stu Moment * StuMoment@aol.com * 217-367-0288.

Page Updates:
03-21-10 Movie Added (Still needs work. Incorrect size in code may be causing square pixelation?)
03-26-10 Added pictures of whole aircraft and background info.
03-29-10 Added information as ad was placed in Trade-a-Plane
04-15-10 Movie placed on youtube.com after this site was shut down do to too much bandwidth.
04-27-10 Wing page added.
(much more to come)

1929 Taperwing WACO (WACO CTO) NC763K sn#A140

Pricing $129,763 cheap. You’ll find most good Taperwings, including replicas priced between $150,000 and $250,000. Eight years ago I sold it for $145,000 then decided not to sell it ... but now … I’m done with airshows and ready to move into old age with a Light Sport Aircraft.

The extra engine and prop is a Wright R760-E2 (derated to 320 HP) with a HS 2B20 Constant Speed Propeller. This will cost an additional $15,000. (No dealing here. Have freinds waiting for this combo should the Taperwing buyer not want it.)

Last fall I sold the Pitts for less than the asking price but to a good person and the perfect person to enjoy it to the maximum.

Who is right for this Taperwing? I’ll figure it out as I talk with callers. It will make me happy to give a great deal to the right person.

There is lots of bargaining room … like the extra engine and prop or even whether the buyer wants it sent to a custom modifyer. In any case, if you like to fly, don't hesitate to make a bid.

Specs

-Wright R760-8, 235 HP, 250 SMOH
-102" Hamilton Standard Ground Adjustable Propeller, 250 SMOH
(This aircraft has paperwork approved for installation of Wright R760-E2 (derated to 320 HP) and HS 2B20 Constant Speed Propeller)

42 Gallon Main Fuel Tank
31 Gallon Center Section Tank (top wing)
73 Gallons Total

Fuel Burn - 15 GPH @ 115 MPH
Endurance - 4.8 hours

7:50 X 10 tires with Hays Brakes (had Cessna 310 Clevelands but were too touchy)
Rudder Bar
Outrigger Style landing gear.
Scott 3200 Tail Wheel

Jasco 50 amp alternator, 2 Grimes retractable landing lights, Grimes nav lights, Grimes cockpit flood, Old style Rotating Beacon Housing with modern slow flash beacon. Collins Com, Collins transponder with Mode C.

The Taperwing WACO is known as the best flying of the Roaring 20's aircraft. Excellent aileron authority accompanies great elevator and rudder authority to make the plane a joy to fly when maneuvering, sightseeing or landing. The Taperwing has a rich history as described in the book by Ray Brandly which is available from the National WACO Club. With 2 passengers up front the joy is shared by more passengers. This aircraft is always the front plane in the hanger, eager to give rides to neighbors as well as those reading this description who haven't experienced the Taperwing.

I've heard of many Taperwings coming out of rebuild looking beautiful but missrigged for flight trim as well as landing track. Modern rebuilders are far removed from the knowledge of the factory as well as the factory test pilots that set the rigging. This aircraft was no exception. After it came out of rebuild in 1990 I reset the wing rigging, had landing gear axles re-welded, and reset the center of gravity to produce a flying machine to which you [look forward] to flying.

The rear windscreen is about 2 inches wider than standard. You can fly with just sunglasses even with the airflow spillage over the front windshield. The front windshield comes off in about 5 minutes and 7 dzus fasteners secure a tri-fold front cockpit cover. This is the perfect winter setup. I have flown a 1.5 hour flight to Wisconsin in 18 degree weather with this setup. For business cross-country flights, the front cockpit holds more luggage than you can use. Night flying is a joy in this Taperwing. 2 huge grimes retractable lights flood the runway with light. The antique grimes nav lights light up wisps of snow. You become a 1920's air mail pilot.

The front flight controls pull out in 15 minutes and a cover installs over the aileron/elevator gimbal to ensure that passengers can't interfere with the flight controls.

Flight Characteristics:

This aircraft has a gentle stall. It mushes straight forward. Accelerated stalls produce a roll to the right, much slower than modern light aircraft. Landing directional stability is predictable. Most taildragers have a area of rollout speed where the pilot needs to pay attention (transition between aerodynamic control and tailwheel steering). In this Taperwing this area is between 20 and 30 MPH. Good aileron and rudder authority make crosswind landings a breeze up to 15 MPH.

Aerobatics produce little stress on the pilot. Loops can be done with only 3G's starting at 125 MPH. A 140 MPH entry gives a newcomer extra an extra cushion. If you get slow at the top of a loop or Cuban 8, the Taperwing's fantastic rudder authority keeps you on heading. Rolls are beautiful. You can roll fast but as you gain a feel for the Taperwing you will do beautiful, effortless, super-slow barrel rolls. Spins are delightful. A consistent, clean recovery does require that you hold opposite rudder 1/4 turn before you move the stick forward.

A younger Stu in front of his Taperwing WACO. Time to get focused and make it pretty again.

Yeah...Straight up in the Taperwing WACO is a bit different than the Pitts. No Space Shuttle smoke system back then... it has a period correct Flash Gordon smoke system.

MORE ON WACO TO COME.