Farmboyzim's Freeware Finds
Waco Model CTO
Review by Farmboyzim
Farmboyzim's Flight Sim's
This one found me! Paul Corish and Gil Halpin sent me this model for review, and I hope they keep them coming! Paul and Gil form Golden Age Simulations, and if you read my review on their model of the Brunner Winkle Bird model, you can see why I eagerly anticipate each of their releases! This package Contains 3 complete aircraft, the ATO, CTO and CTO Mailwing.
Back in 1920 Clayton J. Bruckner, Elwood "Sam" Junkin and George "Buck" Weaver formed Weaver Aircraft Co. The company was renamed in April of 1923 to Advanced Aircraft Co. and then, in May of 1929, Waco Aircraft Co. By the 1930s the company was a leader in the design of wood and fabric aircraft. At their most widespread use, Waco aircraft were operated by public, private, military and corporate owners in thirty-five countries. During World War II, Waco devoted itself entirely to war production, manufacturing large numbers of troop- and cargo-carrying gliders. Following the war Waco attempted to market a wholly new design, but the post-war slump in the private aviation market and the high development costs of the aircraft forced Waco to withdraw from aircraft manufacture in June 1947. During its twenty-seven year existence Waco produced sixty-two different aircraft models and led all its competitors in the number of aircraft registered.
Waco aircraft company designations are a bit confusing. Some basic rules serve as a guideline. Prior to 1930, Waco models were designated by a single number, 1 through 10. The last aircraft designated in this manner, the Waco 10, became the Waco Model O under the new scheme of designation. Waco early models were additionally referred to by their horsepower.
Since 1930, The Waco Aircraft Company used a combination of three letters with which to name its models. An example would be the Model ASO. The letters are best read from right to left. The letter on the right represents the fuselage, i.e. Model O. The middle letter represents a modification to the basic model, i.e. CSO for straight wing or CTO for tapered wing. The letter on the left represents the engine, i.e. CSO for Wright J-6, 225 horse power engines. Additionally, Waco models were often followed by a number indicating the year in which the aircraft was built. A YPF-6, for example, was manufactured in 1936.
Detail must be these guys’s middle name! Once again, the exterior of the aircraft models are excellent, especially the detail on the engine, right down to the cooling fins on the cylinders. Wing support guy wires are in place and also detailed. The paints represent the liveries of the Mail Service, when airmail was in its early days. The paint jobs are beautifully done.
The interior of the models are fantastic! What you get is the basic avionics of the era, no GPS in this aircraft! When you hit Shift 2, up pops a pocket watch, very high-tech! But that's all they had in those days, along with some road maps, which you'll see in the pocket on the right of the cockpit, which is a very nice touch!
Flight dynamics are great! If you have your "Realism Settings" torqued up, be prepared to use that rudder on your takeoffs! They can be very tricky!
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Farmboyzims
Rating (1 - 5)
Thanks For The Visit !
The Virtual Cockpit Views are just as detailed as the 2D views, and provided for some great views past the wings. You can see that loads of work went into making this an extremely close representation of this classic aircraft! Paul and Gil and Golden Age Simulations have truly captured a bit of that "Golden Age" of aviation with this model, and they should be very proud of their work! Thanks Paul and Gil for another outstanding Freeware aircraft for us simmers to enjoy! Keep up the great work!
An easy five out of five for this Freeware Aircraft add on! Being a biplane fan, I tried to be as optimistic as possible, and still came away highly impressed! This model is definitely worth your consideration for a vote in the freeware contest at FlightSim.com! Grab this one up for you hanger for sure! Great flying and great screenshots await you!
