The E series was the final development of the prewar Waco line of biplane designs. A full four-seater, it had the best performance of any of the Wacos. First flown in 1939, it had a much slimmer and more streamlined fuselage than earlier Waco C and S models and heavily staggered unequal-span parallel-chord wings with rounded tips. Wings were plywood-skinned, and also had wire cross-bracing between the wings in place of the solid struts used on previous models. ^[3]

Engines varied in power from 285 to 450?hp (213 to 336?kW), giving the E series a high cruising speed for the period of up to 195?mph (314?km/h). ^[4] Production ceased in 1942. Note : the Waco GXE of 1929/30 was an unrelated biplane design with non-staggered wings

The E series was sold to wealthier private pilot owners who required the comfort of a fully enclosed cabin and a high cruising speed, combined with a longer range. Because of the type's good performance, 15 examples were impressed by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II for communications work as the UC-72 . Several of the USAAF examples were returned to civilian use after the end of the war and five E series aircraft remained airworthy in 2001. ^[5]

(Source?: Aerofiles)

ARE Aristocrat

300?hp (224?kW) Jacobs L-6 (4 built, one impressed as UC-72A)

HRE Aristocrat

285?hp (213?kW) Lycoming R-680 (5 built, 2 impressed as UC-72C)

SRE Aristocrat

400?hp (298?kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior SB-2 (21 built, 12 impressed as UC-72)

WRE Aristocrat

420?hp (313?kW) Wright R-975 - model offered to potential customers, but none built

UC-72

12 impressed Waco SRE for USAAF

UC-72A

One impressed Waco ARE

UC-72C

Two impressed Waco HRE

Data from Simpson p. 576

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 pilot
• Capacity: 3 passengers
• Length: 27?ft 10?in (8.48?m)
• Wingspan: 34?ft 9?in (10.59?m)
• Height: 8?ft 8?in (2.64?m)
• Empty weight: 2,734?lb (1,240?kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 4,200?lb (1,905?kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-985 SB-2 nine-cylinder radial air-cooled piston, 400?hp (300?kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 202?mph (325?km/h, 176?kn)
• Cruise speed: 195?mph (314?km/h, 169?kn)
• Stall speed: 57?mph (92?km/h, 50?kn)
• Range: 1,070?mi (1,720?km, 930?nmi)
• Service ceiling: 23,500?ft (7,200?m)
• Rate of climb: 1,550?ft/min (7.9?m/s)

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Beech 17 Staggerwing
• Fairchild Model 45
• Howard DGA-15
• Spartan Executive
• Stinson Reliant

Related lists

• List of aircraft of World War II

• Details and photographs of the Waco E series on Aerofiles