Waco Aristocraft

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]

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]

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)

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Douglas Cloudster II
• Lockheed Big Dipper