Tablet Docs???

 

Production: Only two examples were built between 1932 and 1933.

Design: The main landing gear was fixed but buried deep within massive, oversized fairings (spats) to maintain aerodynamic streamlining.

Engine: Powered by a 420 hp Wright R-975-E2 engine.

Gee, this looks familiar...

Tim Dickey's WACO Cabin on the flight line with I believe Mike Barbee assisting.

 Awaiting Round 1 F4C & F4H Results.

I was fortunate to just happen to visit Santa Paula Airport, just about 50 miles north of the San Fernando Valley ( “The Valley” ) a suburb northwest of Los Angeles when I came upon the full sized Beech Staggerwing prototype being restored by a gentleman named Pfizer.  He had terminal cancer & was hoping the sale of his restoration will help provide for his family.  Never heard what happened afterwards.  While there, I took several b+w photos of the restoration in its framed up stage.  This was years before digital cameras & Internet existed & it was cheaper & easier for me to develop b+w film in my studio instead of color.

The very last time I personally saw the finished restored Beech was at EAA’s air museum in Oshkosh.  This was back in late 1980’s. 

In addition to what Ed described, the prototype also featured a unique split rudder system to act as air brakes.  I’d be curious if this model has that feature.  However, it does appear to have the correct colors of red, burgundy & trim.

For the benefit of our RCSB group;  Santa Paula Airport is one of the Great Meccas of antique & classic aircraft restoration in California.  At one time or another, it had classics as Spartan Executive ( only 34 were ever produced ), a small restoration facility of all German Bucker biplanes, a basket case Fairey Swordfish, WACO cabin biplanes of different variants, Steve McQueen’s all-silver PT-17, Howard’s DGA-11 & -15 & the list goes on.