Photo Waco SAAF
 

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo of a Waco biplane of the SAAF at:


ttps://www.ebay.it/itm/WW2-South-Africa-a-Waco-cabin-biplane-Photo-9-by-6cm/392973116414?hash=item5b7f05e3fe:g:dCUAAOSwmflfbRH l


I have the Winston Brent book 85 Years of the South African Air Force, but unfortunately without being able to see the serial cannot identify the type of Waco shown. Cn anyone assist?


Regards,


Clint

Re: Photo Waco SAAF
 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-South-A...UAAOSwmflfbRHl


South African Air Force impressed at least ten Wacos of different types (CUC and YOC)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waco_C...-6)_(120_built)

Re: Photo Waco SAAF
 

Hello,


I fear I may not have been clear.When I stated that I I have a copy of the Winston Brent book 85 Years of the South African Air Force I hoped that this made clear that I was aware of the types of Waco operated by the SAAF and indeed their serial numbers. I was hoping for an id of the specific Waco shown in the photo and I still am.






Regards,


Clint

Re: Photo Waco SAAF
 

Clint

WACOs are notoriously difficult, and using a designation system which could make any full grown man weep with frustration....:)

Thanks to the rear window and balanced rudder, which was introduced in 1935 on the YKC-S and later the YOC and CUC, we have two aircraft to chose from
1406 ex ZS-AFU (model CUC)
1419 ex ZS-AFH (model YOC)

There is also a third alternative left to consider
1409 ex ZS-AMF (model ZKS-5 according to Brent but a ZKS-7 according to WACO documents)
However the few photos I have seen of this latter model all have a different engine cowling.

Model CUC used a Wright 250hp engine
Model YOC used a Jacobs engine

Unfortunately I cannot see any other difference between these two models, so that is far as I can go....

Cheers
Stig

Re: Photo Waco SAAF
 

Hi Stig,


Many thanks for your efforts. At least you've narrowed it down to two options and alas I have to agree with you, its not easy to tell the difference between the CUC or YOC. I guess realistically a deinitive id requires a view of the same machine showing the serial, or at least a photo of the machine showing the same livery but with the type designation given.Strangely enough, or not I haven't found any images of SAAF Wacos on the net. Hopefully ebay will provide at some future date.


With regard to the WACO designations, I found the explanations on Aerofiles very helpful when creating a list of the various WACO aircraft used by the different belligerents in WW.II. a few years back. at:

http://aerofiles.com/wacodata.html



Regards,


Clint