WACO AQC-6 - Canadian Museum of Flight - Langley, BC
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T0SHEA
N 49° 05.954 W 122° 37.559
10U E 527302 N 5438554
Manufactured in 1937, this Waco was purchased new by the Department of National Defence in Ottawa. It was flown by the Department of Transport until 1949, when it moved to the coast of BC and was put on floats.
Waymark Code: WMGD06
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 02/16/2013
Views: 4
This beautiful old Waco arrived at the museum on floats but is being fully restored on wheels. It really looks fine in its bright red and white paint job. It will eventually be brought back to flyable condition.
The information page accompanying the airplane:
WACO AQC-6
Manufactured 1937.
Maximum Speed 171 m.p.h.
Empty Weight 2,447 lb.
Maximum Weight 3,800 lb.
Span 34'9"
Length 27'4"
Height 8'7"
Wing Area 246 sq. ft.
The WACO C ( walk-o) series of four-seat cabin biplanes were initiated in 1931 and were produced continuously in progressively refined models until 1939. Serial 4646, CF-CCW was manufactured in 1937 at Troy, Ohio as a ZQC-6 model (285 hp Jacobs L-5MB engine) but was converted to an AQC-6 (330 hp Jacobs L-6MB) in 1947.
Purchased new by the Department of National Defense, Ottawa, it was operated by the Department of Transport until 1949, when it was moved out to the B.C. Coast. It was operated by B.C. Airlines, then by a logging company. Dr. Jack Pickup of Alert Bay was the next owner, who acquired the airplane in 1953 and routinely used it as a "flying doctor" floatplane. During its long career it suffered several landing accidents.
It was donated to the Canadian Museum of Flight in 1980 by Dr. Pickup and is currently undergoing a complete restoration. This aircraft was donated on floats, but for the Museum's purposes, it will be restored with wheels. The Waco EQC6 is to be rebuilt to flying condition but extensive work is required.
The engine and propeller have been rebuilt, but the airframe is still to be plumbed with control, fuel and instrument lines. The next step will be disassembly for upholstery, covering and paint.
Point of Interest: Original drawings are required to do a certified rebuild. The Smithsonian Institute has provided CMF with all the necessary drawings to complete this project.