WACO “Super Sport” S3HD - A Golden Age king

The WACO “Super Sport” S3HD is often referred to as the “King of the WACO biplanes.” Built as only one example, it is the stuff of legends.

- GILLES AULIARD

The Super Sport is, in fact, a warbird camouflaged as a sport plane. Previous WACO incursions in military sales were commercial models modified to suit customers’ needs. In the Model D, WACO, at last, had a high-performance biplane designed from the start as a fighter for export. Especially built for Miles Vernon, the S3HD (certified on June 29, 1934, under ATC no. 543) was a version stripped of any military equipment. NC14048 was completed in July 25, 1934, delivered two days later to WACO Aircraft Sales of New York, and then sold to Vernon for $ 18,500. The plane could usually be found at the Long Island Aviation Country Club, Hicksville, New York, where Vernon flew and maintained it until 1952. Too expensive to rebuild, its subsequent owners le