Tipp City Rotary held the June 22, 2011 meeting at the local WACO Museum and Airfield. Don Willis, the WACO Executive Director and fellow Troy Rotarian, recount the history of the WACO Aircraft Company and explain the various aircraft and artifacts housed in the museum. Mike Winblad of Tipp City and James Beisner of Troy Ohio flew their vintage WACOs into WACO field for the meeting. Don explained that for seven years during the late 1920s and early 1930s WACO was the largest civilian producer of aircraft in the world and was responsible for many of the early aviation innovations under the leadership of Clayton Brukner, the WACO CEO.
WACO produced many models of classic biplanes and also designed and produced the famous D-Day glider for World War II. It ceased aircraft production in 1947 and the company assets were purchased by Goodrich in 1962, who still produce aircraft wheels and brake systems at the plant in Troy, Ohio. The WACO Historical Society, Inc., which operates the museum and 2000 foot grass airfield, is a non-profit organization of about 500 members countrywide that is dedicated to historical preservation, education and community service.
