Waco SRE

Role:  Transport and Utility Aircraft

National Origin: United States

Manufacturer:  Waco Aircraft Corporation

First Flight: 1939

Number Built: 29

Waco Aircraft was busy building some 600 of the UPF-7 training biplanes for the CPTP program, and some of the cabin biplanes were in production too, but A. Francis Arcier was whiling away his spare time by designing a new “Custom Cabin” airplane. Labeled the “Model E,” he and Clayton Brukner wanted this to be the ultimate in personal-plane performance with the highest possible degree of elegance. As it rolled out for its first flight in 1939 it was easy to see that the goal, though high, was achieved. The first model was powered with the 300-330 h.p. Jacobs L-6 engine as the model ARE, another version was powered with the 285-300 h.p. Lycoming engine as the HRE, but it was the SRE that overshadowed anything that “Waco” had ever built before. The SRE was powered with the 450 h.p. “Wasp Jr.” engine and it ranked with the very best of its type; they at Waco Aircraft were so proud of the SRE they called it the “Aristocrat.” Many former “Waco” customers soon lined up to take delivery; it was not difficult to have a high regard for this airplane because it was a fairly remarkable machine. Some “Waco” owners were saying the “Model E” was perhaps not as beautiful as the ever-lovely YOC, nor had the utility of a ZGC-7, but in all else it was the-best-ever, and its speed made it hard to catch. About 80% of Waco’s facilities were being used in production of the UPF-7, but the “Waco E” was definitely on the production list and available for early delivery. Nearly 30 of the “Model E” were built in the various versions from late 1939 to early 1942.

The Waco “Model E” was a rather special “Custom Cabin” biplane with seating arranged for 4 or 5; there was room for 5, but that extra passenger usually called for some trade-off in fuel or baggage. The “Model E” was characteristically a “Waco” but with a decided difference; designed for high cruising speeds, the SRE especially acted like it had a built-in tailwind. It was an all-weather airplane and it was an ideal conveyance for those who treasured time. Although speed and high performance were its main reasons for being, the “Model E” was discreetly fashioned with elegance and it provided the best possible in traveling comfort. The price tag for the “E” was rather high, the most costly “Custom Cabin” that Waco had ever built, but even at that it was a fair bargain. The roster of owners was an impressive list made up mostly of business-houses, and famous sportsmen; for some it was their 3rd or 4th “Waco.” The “Model E” was offered with a choice of 4 different engines, but the SRE with its thundering

“Wasp Jr.” engine was the clear favorite, and so it should be; in this version the “Model E” found its full potential. As powered with the Pratt & Whitney (R-985) “Wasp Jr.” engine of 450 h.p. the model SRE was a 200 m.p.h. airplane under certain conditions, and even under “cruise power” it really ate up the miles; a destination 1000 miles away could be easily reached in just over 5 hours. Naturally, other “Waco” characteristics were fashioned into this airplane, so all that high performance was complemented with good stability, ease of handling, sound structure, and dependability. The “E” was easy enough to fly well, it was comfortable for hours at a time, and its elegance both inside and out caught the eye quickly; instant crowds seemed to form around it. To the “Model E” goes the distinction of being the last “Cabin Waco”; Brukner thought it was his best. The type certificate for the model ARE was issued 2-1-40, the SRE was approved 4-6-40, and the HRE was approved 11-1-40; some 29 examples were manufactured by the Waco Aircraft Co. at Troy, Ohio.

(Excerpts from the U.S. Civil Aircraft Series by Joseph Juptner)

The museum’s Waco SRE is NC20961. It was built in 1940. In April 1942 it was pressed into service with the USAAF as 42-38271 as a UC-72. After World War Two transferred to Civil Aviation Administration as NC571. Restored in the late 1980s in Missouri as NC20961. Based in California from 2016 to 2024. Joined the Mid America Flight Museum collection in 2025.