M A H O G A N Y
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[ MUST HAVE ]
Elegance is in the air A sublimely retro aircraft that turns travelling into exhilarating flight, the Waco bi-planes are real one-offs, hand-built in a facility that feels more like a studio than a factory
by Sergio A. Barlocchetti - pictures by courtesy of Waco Aircraft
“T
here’s a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One
also equipped with absolutely modern safety systems, avionics
is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight”
and instrumentation. With just a few absolutely unique examples
wrote aviation pioneer and entrepreneur Elrey Jeppesen. Waco
lovingly built, this is more time machine than anything else. It is a
planes exist for the latter. In this modern world of ours, luxury
very physical aircraft to fly and you’ll hear the wind in the stringers
and exclusivity mean owning something precious, handcrafted.
as you gently lift off and start to gain altitude over a world bathed
An aeroplane that will fly you to the glorious heights of the golden
in the warm glow of the setting sun….Not that it is that gentle
era of aviation back in the 1920s and 30s. The great thing is
a process, however, as a 300 hp Jacobs 7-cylinder radial engine
that while it looks like a classic biplane, this compact beauty is
(injection as optional) can make around 100 knots or just under
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An open cockpit with leather interior and wings with a wood spar/rib frame structure exude 1920s and 30s glamour. That said, integrated digital avionics can be installed to replace the analogue instruments
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[ MUST HAVE ]
The new YMF-5F revives the legendary 1935 YMF considered by many to be the most beautiful and desirable sport biplane ever built. Available in a choice of classic or amphibious versions
170 km/h. There is room for two passengers on the bench seat
scent of the leather which is handstitched to create the interior
behind the pilot – they too will have to wear the compulsory
upholstery while the hold is large enough for a couple of weekend
goggles and white flying scarf, of course!
bags. But don’t fret at all the wood spar/rib frame wing structure.
Waco (Weather Aircraft Co) was founded in the 1920s and
The wings themselves are unbelievably robust and have certified
within a decade was the most successful aircraft builder in the
G limits of +5.2 G and -2.1 G at 2950 lb maximum takeoff
US. Its planes were faster, more imposing and costlier than those
load! Beneath its classy finish, the double cockpit hides resolutely
of its rivals. But if you stowed one in your personal hangar, it
modern instrumentation and although its style demands analogue
would hold its value, just like a classic car or a piece of vintage
readouts, it is possible to have integrated digital avionics installed
jewellery. Plus these were planes that screamed the difference
and approved. The open cockpit is not a problem either – the
between travelling in an aircraft and real flight.
windshield is designed to deflect the air flow and heaters keep
The YMF was launched in 1935 and is, to many connoisseurs,
occupants comfortable. Even if you have just got your pilot’s
the most beautiful and covetable sports plane ever built. Now
licence and are still feeling a little reticent, have no fear: Waco
that iconic beauty is making a spectacular return as the YMF-5F.
includes training in the purchase price. A high-spec model will
Quality is, of course, paramount. Only the very finest fir trunks
set you back the guts of $600,000 (the 2018 WACO YMF-5F
are used to make the wing spars and every inch is handcrafted
Super, Standard Equipment 598,600 USD) but the admiring
and then inspected by expert eyes at the company at Kellogg
glances you’ll get every time you touch down at an airfield will
Regional Airport in Battle Creek (MI, USA) which feels more
make it all worthwhile. So the only question now is: are you a
like a studio than a factory. Guests are greeted by the heady
pilot or an aviator? www.wacoaircraft.com
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