The Most Popular American Biplane Manufacturer You Have Likely Never Heard Of

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Between the world wars, the Waco Aircraft Company dominated the American skies, with more of its planes registered than any other manufacturer. Though the company vanished in 1947, its legacy of rugged, reliable aviation remains a cornerstone of early twentieth-century flight history, far beyond its humble origins in Ohio.

Founded in 1920 by Clayton Brukner, Elwood Junkin, Charles Meyers, and George Weaver, the firm began as the Weaver Aircraft Company before evolving into the Waco Aircraft Company. Based in Troy, Ohio, the company earned a reputation for producing durable, versatile biplanes that became the preferred choice for postal services, explorers, and traveling businessmen. By the 1930s, the company expanded its reach by introducing closed-cabin models, further cementing its status as a leader in the civil aviation market.

The company’s influence peaked during the interwar period, as it maintained the largest number of registered aircraft in the United States. During World War II, the manufacturer pivoted to military production, supplying the RAF and the US Army Air Forces with thousands of gliders, most notably the CG-4, which played a critical role in airborne operations like the Normandy Invasion and Operation Market Garden. Additionally, the company supported the Civilian Pilot Training Program by producing hundreds of UPF-7 and VKS-7F training aircraft.

Despite its wartime success, the company ceased operations in 1947 when the expected post-war aviation boom failed to materialize. A final attempt to revive the brand in the 1960s and 1970s saw the company market European-designed lightplanes in the United States, but the program ended with the death of its director, Mr. Berger. Today, the original Waco legacy is preserved through a large collection of surviving aircraft at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum in Missouri, while the name itself continues to be associated with high-quality, classic aviation design.

It is a common point of confusion that the company’s name is pronounced to rhyme with “taco,” rather than matching the pronunciation of Waco, Texas. The two names are entirely unrelated, and the company’s history is distinct from several other unrelated aviation firms that also operated under the Waco name in cities like Chicago, San Antonio, and Burbank.

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