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The Museum will be closed March 21 to 24, 2023
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Ingenium Canada Aviation and Space Museum

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Waco 10 (GXE)

Hours and Location

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Monday
Hours
*CLOSED: March 21 to 24
Address
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON
Admission
Browse all Visitor Information for Canada Aviation and Space Museum
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Waco 10 (GXE)

Waco 10 (GXE)

Highlights:

  • A single-engine, three-seater, general-purpose biplane made by Advance Aircraft Company/Waco Aircraft Company in the U.S. from 1927 to 1933
  • Popular with small commercial operators and private owners for barnstorming, charter trips and flight instruction
  • Introduced hydraulic shock-absorbing landing gear to the personal aircraft industry
  • Redesignated Waco GXE and sometimes known as Waco 90
  • A derivative model sporting a 200 hp Wright Whirlwind engine won the 1928 Ford Reliability Tour, an efficiency competition covering a total distance of 10,150 km (6,300 miles)
  • Very similar to the Travel Air 2000
  • First flight was in 1927

Image Gallery:

CASM-359307

CASM-359307

CASM-14056

CASM-14056

CASM-19414

CASM-19414

History:

The word “barnstorming” was first used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to describe the activities of small theatrical groups that often performed in barns while visiting farming communities across the country. Later, the term was applied to the activities of itinerant pilots of the 1920s who flew from town to town and offered rides for a modest fee. For many North Americans, this was their first airplane ride, usually in war surplus Curtiss JN-4 “Jennies” or “Canucks”. But it soon became evident that there was a need for more modern aircraft with better performance and greater carrying capacity.

By 1928, a number of new biplane types had appeared on the scene that epitomized 1920s aviation in North America. Many were of similar design, powered by the war surplus 90 hp Curtiss OX-5 engines then available in large numbers. Because of its simple beauty and pleasant flying characteristics, the Waco 10 was one of the most popular of this class. Small commercial operators and private owners used this model for barnstorming, charter trips or flight instruction.

Current Location:

Reserve Hangar, Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Provenance:

Donation

This Waco 10 was built in 1928. Its early history is poorly known. Its first owner, however, was one C. Lee Nelson who flew the aircraft in Indiana and Ohio until at least 1936. Around 1977, it was purchased in the United States by the Canadian company Leavens Aviation Incorporated to commemorate the firm's fiftieth anniversary. The aircraft was similar to a Waco 9 and a Waco 10 the company had owned between 1928 and 1937. The aircraft was restored in 1977, and it became a familiar sight at aerial displays and fly-ins throughout Ontario for a number of years.

One of Canada's oldest aviation companies, Leavens Aviation began as Leavens Brothers Air Services. In the late 1920s, Art, Walt and Clare Leavens started a barnstorming operation. They later expanded their services to include crop and forest spraying, advertising and banner-towing, plus aerial photography. They also opened a flying school in Toronto in 1937.

The Leavens family first loaned and then donated the Waco to the Museum. It was flown to Rockcliffe airport during the summer of 2000.

Technical Information:

Wing Span 9.3 m (30 ft 7 in)
Length 7.2 m (23 ft 6 in)
Height 2.7 m (9 ft)
Weight, Empty 545 kg (1,200 lb)
Weight, Gross 919 kg (2,025 lb)
Cruising Speed 135 km/h (84 mph)
Max Speed 156 km/h (97 mph)
Rate of Climb 158 m (520 ft) /min
Service Ceiling 3,660 m (12,000 ft)
Range 620 km (385 mi)
Power Plant one Curtiss OX-5, 90 hp, Vee engine

Waco 10 (GXE)

AVIATION
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Artifact No.
2002.0003
Manufacturer
Advance Aircraft Company
Manufacturer Location
United States
Manufacture Date
1928, rebuilt 1977
Acquisition Date
2002
Registration Number
C-GAFD
  • View all the collection highlights at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
  • View other collection highlights related to Aviation

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About Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Located on a former military air base just five kilometers from the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum focuses on aviation in Canada within an international context – from its beginnings in 1909 to today.
Read more about the museum

Contact Us

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa ON K1K 2X5
Canada

613-991-3044
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  • Plan Your Visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Hours
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    • Browse All Visitor Information
    • Buy Tickets
    • Online Resources for Science at Home
    • About the Museum
  • What's On at the Museum
    • Events
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    • Flights and Simulations
    • Spaces and Studios
  • Bookings and Rentals
    • School Programs
    • Summer Camps
    • Venue Rentals
    • Travelling Exhibitions
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Group Visits
    • Birthday Parties
  • Educational Programs
    • School Programs
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Program Location
      • At the Museum
      • At your School
      • Online
      • Browse all Educational Programs
    • Popular Links
      • 3D Educational Resources
      • Digital Learning Kits
      • Games and Apps
      • Online Resources for Science at Home
      • Try This Out
  • Collection and Research
    • Research Institute
    • Research Projects
    • Collection Resources
      • Ingenium Collection
      • Collection Highlights
      • Conservation and Collection Services
    • Library and Archives
      • Library and Archives Services
      • Library Catalogue
      • Digital Archives
    • Open Access
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      • Open Documents
  • Projects and Initiatives
    • Ingenium Channel
    • The Legacy Series
    • Let's Talk Energy