MUSEUM MAP
Only aircraft of its kind remaining. Rare version of Waco 10 biplane built with Siemens-Halske SH-12 engine.
Advanced Aircraft only made about 21 of these “Siemens-Waco” planes. Combination of 125-horsepower, 9-cylinder radial engine and popular Waco biplane performed well, but the German engine was costly at $2,970, and various American radial engines in this power range were starting to appear.
Purchased by Northwest Airways (later Northwest Airlines) in 1928, just two years after company's founding. Briefly operated, in its factory red-and-cream paint, for charters and sales demonstrations—Northwest had a Waco dealership—and flight instruction. Never used for scheduled Northwest mail or passenger service.
Northwest did fly Wacos in scheduled service, primarily to carry air mail, until 1936. Fleet included a Waco 10W, later modified into aerodynamic "taper wing" CTO model, and several taper wing Waco JYMs.
Waco mail planes initially flew between Chicago and Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, and between Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wisconsin. When winter storms covered runways with snow, Northwest outfitted its Wacos with skis.
