Waco Custom Cabin (oz8932)

About this Plan

Waco Custom Cabin. Scale model biplane for radio control. OS Max 15 shown.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 14/6/2022: Added article, thanks to Pit.

Quote: "I'LL never forget that huge, shiny red and silver biplane sitting on the runway. As the cabin door swung open, the 9-year-old kid had to be boosted up onto the lower left wing and into the spacious cabin. Impressions of my first airplane ride at Detroit City Airport that day linger still - the roomy plush interior, the funny-shaped rear window, and the roaring surge of power accelerating us to an exciting takeoff over the Michigan landscape. I learned later that the airplane was a 1936 model Waco custom cabin.

I finally got around to building a model of this Waco classic several years ago. It started out as a compulsion to build the huge 50-inch span rubber-powered model from the old Megow plans. Although I love free-flight scale as much as RC scale, I couldn't resist the thought of a lightweight radio version of that chubby beauty which could perform low fly-bys, touch-and-goes, and maybe bring back a little of the excitement of that first airplane ride.

The original free-flight idea may have unintentionally affected my design of the Waco, since the model's all-up weight turned out to be a rather surprising 2 pounds, By usual standards of RC construction, a 52-in span multi-channel scale biplane with over 550 sq in of wing area would weigh more than double that figure. Largely because of this very low wing loading (about 8 oz/sq ft) the Waco turned out to be one of the best flying sport models that I have ever built. Slow, scale-like flight, easy takeoffs and landings, and super touch-and-goes are its stock in trade.

It is no fragile hangar queen though. Almost three years of use and 100 plus flights under all sorts of conditions attest to the model's serviceability. The only repairs that have been required so far include the usual handling scrapes and punctures and a bent landing gear strut.

The model is not intended to be a super-scale scale ship, but rather a sport flier. Where compromises were made they were made to simplify constnucti on or to improve serviceability. Overall the Waco turned out to be one of those rare and lucky models in which everything just seems to work out right, and the finished product flies better than expected. Even though it's semi-scale, a also seems to capture that charismatic Waco look in flight -and it's certainly a lot more esthetic than the usual boxy Sunday flier.

The Model is built to a scale of 1-1/2 in to 1 ft and is patterned after the Jacobs-powered 1936 Custom Cabin series. These aircraft were designated YQC-6, ZQC-6, or AQC-6, depending on the particular Jacobs engine installed.

While the plans show a three-channel radio installation for rudder, elevator, and throttle control, a fourth channel for aileron control mold easily be added. The basic requirement is to keep the weight down; between 2 and 2-1/2 pounds is ideal. The prototype was flown with both an OS Max .10 and an OS Max .15. Both engines were satisfactory although the .10 takeoff performance from small fields or grass mine/lays was somewhat marginal. I would therefore recomend a .15 engine as ideal. At 2 pounds weight, the .15 will provide quick, safe takeoffs from even heavy grass strips.

In order to keep the weight within limits it will be necessary to use one of the newer miniature, lightweight radios. Not only would a heavier radio add unnecessary weight of itself, but the heavier servo would require substantial structural beefing up in the cabin area to take the increased loads generated in the inevitable hard landings and bumps during those Sunday flying sessions.

Also, please resist the temptation to beef up the structure with additional plywood or much heavier materials, or to use a much larger, heavier, engine. The airframe is plenty string enough, and the model's good flying characteristics are dependent on the low wing loading. So, if you're ready, lets build!

The Airframe: The basic airframe is of rather simple built-up construction. The fuselage longerons are 1/8 sq spruce, while all of the uprights and cross members are of balsa..."

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