Waco E series

The E series was the final development of the prewar Waco line of biplane designs. A full four-seater, it had the best performance of any of the Wacos. First flown in 1939, it had a much slimmer and more streamlined fuselage than earlier Waco C and S models and heavily staggered unequal-span parallel-chord wings with rounded tips. Wings were plywood-skinned, and also had wire cross-bracing between the wings in place of the solid struts used on previous models.[3]

Engines varied in power from 285 to 450 hp (213 to 336 kW), giving the E series a high cruising speed for the period of up to 195 mph (314 km/h).[4] Production ceased in 1942. Note: the Waco GXE of 1929/30 was an unrelated biplane design with non-staggered wings

The E series was sold to wealthier private pilot owners who required the comfort of a fully enclosed cabin and a high cruising speed, combined with a longer range. Because of the type's good performance, 15 examples were impressed by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II for communications work as the UC-72. Several of the USAAF examples were returned to civilian use after the end of the war and five E series aircraft remained airworthy in 2001.[5]

WACO ARE

Waco SRE impressed as USAAF UC-72

(Source : Aerofiles)

ARE Aristocrat

300 hp (224 kW) Jacobs L-6 (4 built, one impressed as UC-72A)

HRE Aristocrat

285 hp (213 kW) Lycoming R-680 (5 built, 2 impressed as UC-72C)

SRE Aristocrat

400 hp (298 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior SB-2 (21 built, 12 impressed as UC-72)

WRE Aristocrat

420 hp (313 kW) Wright R-975 - model offered to potential customers, but none built

Data from Simpson p. 576

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 pilot
• Capacity: 3 passengers
• Length: 27 ft 10 in (8.48 m)
• Wingspan: 34 ft 9 in (10.59 m)
• Height: 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m)
• Empty weight: 2,734 lb (1,240 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 4,200 lb (1,905 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-985 SB-2 nine-cylinder radial air-cooled piston, 400 hp (300 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 202 mph (325 km/h, 176 kn)
• Cruise speed: 195 mph (314 km/h, 169 kn)
• Stall speed: 57 mph (92 km/h, 50 kn)
• Range: 1,070 mi (1,720 km, 930 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 23,500 ft (7,200 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,550 ft/min (7.9 m/s)

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Beech 17 Staggerwing
• Fairchild Model 45
• Howard DGA-15
• Spartan Executive
• Stinson Reliant

Related lists

• List of aircraft of World War II

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Waco RE Series.

• Details and photographs of the Waco E series on Aerofiles