Photograph:
Waco Classic 2T-1A VH-VIW (c/n 1201) at Aldinga, VIC in September 2017 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Light sport aerobatic biplane
Power Plant:
One 134 kw (180 hp) Lycoming AEIO-360-B1F6 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.13 m (26 ft 8 in)
- Length: 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in)
- Height: 2.24 m (7 ft 4 in)
- Wing area: 17.43 m² (187.6 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 212 km/h (132 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 190 km/h (118 mph)
- Stalling speed: 92 km/h (57 mph)
- Service ceiling: 5,180 m (17,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 427 m/min (1,400 ft/min)
- Range: 482 km (300 miles)
- Empty weight: 558 kg (1,230 lb)
- Loaded weight: 816 kg (1,800 lb)
History:
The 2T-1 light sports trainer biplane was introduced to the aviation market in 1929 by the Great Lakes Aircraft Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio, the prototype flying for the first time during that year. It was a single-bay biplane of mixed construction with fabric covering and a tailwheel undercarriage. Power was supplied by a 63 kw (85 hp) Cirrus III in-line engine. Initial testing revealed it was tail-heavy and the wing was subsequently swept back. Approximately 40 were built. It was replaced on the production line by the 2T-1A with enlarged tail surfaces and a 67 kw (90 hp) Cirrus Ace engine, some 200 being completed.
Further variants were built, including the 2T-2 Speedster with a 71 kw (95 hp) Cirrus Hi-Drive engine with a straight upper wing, which was described as a racing variant of the 2T-1A. The 2T-1E had the 71 kw (95 hp) American Cirrus engine but in the Great Depression the company closed its doors.
Production was re-commenced in 1973, the rights to the aircraft having been sold to Douglas Champlin who set up a re-constituted company known as Great Lakes Aircraft Co, which produced a revised aircraft meeting then current airworthiness requirements, this model being fitted with a 104 kw (140 hp) Lycoming O-320 engine. Subsequently the 2T-1A-2 appeared with the 134 hp (180 hp) Lycoming IO-360 unit. First of this model was certified in May 1973. Rights to the type changed hands a number of times and by 1980 137 had been completed, but production ceased in 1985. A number are known to have been re-engined and one was fitted with a Jacobs radial. One aircraft for a time held the world record for consecutive outside loops, a total of 131.
Waco Classic Aircraft of Battle Creek in Michigan acquired all rights to the Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 aerobatic biplane and in late 2010 commenced production of new built examples, offering it with the 134 kw (180 hp) Lycoming IO-360-B1F6 engine or the AEIO-360-B1G6 also of 134 kw (180 hp), with consideration being given to the AEIO-390 of 157 kw (210 hp) unit also being installed. The first of the new-build aircraft was shown at the Sun’n Fun fly-in at Lakeland, Florida in March 2011, the Company announcing it had sold six aircraft, including two for Australian operators. Two models are available, a touring model with the IO-360 engine and the higher performance model with an AEIO-360.
First of the type registered in Australia became VH-VIW (c/n 1201) in May 2014 to its owners, Maltings Nominees Pty Ltd of Willunga, SA.