A Waco For All Seasons
by Larry Harmacinski
While perusing an older issue of the Waco Pilot, the president's
pernicious statement caused me to pause: "Let's think summer, and flying Wacos." This brings a smile to my face, as I think, why wait? Why did our perspicuous President not say "Let's think flying Wacos!" Some pilots may be justified for their conservative views of
winter flying, but Waco pilots should cast this seasonal bigotry aside.
While all-season flying may not be possible for everyone,
there exists a growing number of Wacos which refuse to remain in hibernation during the harshest months. Perhaps it lies in the bloodline
of this hard working marque. Possibly it is the spirited personality each ship takes on as age and experience accumulate. Whether
a shared trait or an individual disposition remains unknown. Nor does it even matter for me, as I have no choice but to succumb to
the wishes of my insistent 1930 Straightwing. The singular spirit of NC656N leaves no doubt to those in her presence that she
would be forlorn if left inactive for any length of time, and being sequestered to the hangar for a long quiet winter is no option
for her restless spirit. Thus, I adapt to her ways.
In the lattitudes where 656 resides, skis are in order during the cooler
months as the airfield at Brodhead Wisconsin is never plowed. Her Bendix wheels are removed, and due to the geometry of the Marston
skis, the brake assembly is also set aside. An assistant can be quite helpful. Especially one as assiduous as wife Ilse. The busy
work of bolting stop cables and attaching bungee cords takes less than a mornings' work. To allow the Waco to move across the concrete
the short distance to the snow, 7/8" wooden dowels are placed under each ski, spaced at 12" intervals. The tail ski rests on a dolly,
inclined at approximately 10 degrees. A heavy tarp is placed over the Wright Whirlwind to keep her warm, and will stay in place until
just prior to start. The previously drained motor oil is kept in a five gallon jug strategically placed in the path of the furnace
exhaust in the workshop, and will be poured in to the oil tank shortly before opening the door to the winter scene awaiting outside.
This ritual brings to mind the daily taks of the early air mail pilots, and my esteem for them soars to new heights.
Waco 656
points her nose defiantly at the frozen hangar door, as the final checks are completed. The motor is preheated, and the warm oil poured
in. Helping hands tug on wing struts, and 656 moves surprisingly easily over the dowels, and as the tail dolly meets the snow and
ice, the tail ski slides off the wooden platform and falls gently into the snow. Required minimum ground crew for this operation is
3 men and one Ilse.
While not as usual today, ski flying was commonplace in the 1920's and '30's, and to fill a niche in the
New England states Caleb Marston began producing a certificated airplane ski under The Marston Flying Service, Concord, NH. Perhaps
being known as the state's first licensed aircraft mechanic helped, as Mr. Marston's ski was quickly accepted by the flying community.
He also gained local recognition when chosen to assist Lindbergh in servicing the Spirit of St. Louis during the Goodwill Tour stop
at Concord, NH, July 24, 1927.Showing boundless energy and wide ranging talents, "Cale" Marston also designed and built three distinct
bi-planes, of two place design. At least one of the "Doodle Bugs" is known to still exist in New Hampshire today. True to his Biblical
name, Caleb gave his all to aviation, and remained dear and faithful to friends near and far.
The Marston skis on 656 were built
December, 1931, which is stamped atop the hub, and hold C.A.A.T.C. #84. These skis were often used on another Waco Straightwing, NC806M
during the 1940's at Laconia, NH. Waco restorer and aviator Dick Jackson remembers flying in a Taylorcraft on skis during this time
at Laconia, and admiring the big J-5 powered Waco. His memory is rather exceptional for being so young at the time. In the 1950's,
these same skis found their way onto an RNF owned by Lyman Rice, also of Laconia, and a former owner of the magnificent Waco D. The RNF and the skis were a good match for Lymie's 600' farm strip.
It was in 1991 that Dick Walling turned over 656 to me,
and I soon began the search for correct skis to fit the CSO. Early in 1993 Dick Jackson discovered that Lyman had carefully stored
the Marstons away in the attic of his daughter's house. Dick arranged the ski requisition from Jane (Rice), and I silently thank him
each time I venture aloft to enjoy the winter landscape.
This CSO is also equipped with a pair of 1930 Pyle-National landing
lights as seen on working aeroplanes of this vintage, most often on Wacos when used by Northwest Airways to carry the US Mail, such
as Bob Howie's Waco 7446 did long ago. 656 also sports a tail ski, which was obtained from Hi Wells' Cabin Waco. The aluminum
tail ski has a u-shaped skeg which greatly aids in ground maneuvering, and is considered an improvement over the tailwheel, especially
so in icy conditions.
In short summary, the off season's dense cold air rewards the winter flyer with amazingly short takeoff
runs and surprisingly short landings, and the mental adjustment of flying with no brakes is quickly mastered even by the uninitiated.
The Waco is very much at home on her Marston skis, and this endeavor offers pleasures not be found on wheels or floats. Hopefully
President Heins will remind sport flyers everywhere that each one has a Waco for all seasons.
