WACO YKC - Stunning and Ultra Rare Golden Age Cabin Flier

BETWEEN THE IMPLEMENTATION of the Air Commerce Act of 1926 and December 31, 1948, all U.S. registered flying machines sported an N-number, much as they do today, the "N" being an internationally recognized identifier for the United States. During that period, however, an additional letter-identifier followed the "N." Depending on their category, they were registered in the NC (Commercial), NG (Glider), NL (Limited), NR (Restricted, usually meaning race airplanes), NS (State government), and, finally, NX (experimental).

- GILLES AULLIARD

Airplanes registered in the NC category are seldom seen today, but the others, including NS (State) registrations, are all but unknown. One of those "S" category rarities is Dave and Jeanne Allen's WACO YKC N14137 (c/n 4223). A superb piece of work, it has even won the Antique Grand Champion award at EAA's Air Venture.

The model YKC (ATC 533) is one of the proud members of the WACO Cabin family, which comfortably seats four or five people while hauling them at a reasonably fast speed. Of the 60 YKCS built in 1934-35, about half are still registered, if not flying.

Manufactured in 1934, the Allens' number 4223 was purchased new by the State of Ohio Bureau of Aeronautics and delivered that November. Registered as NS14137, it was operated as a utility/VIP transport by the Ohio National Guard for the following five years.