The story
Waco's F series arrived in 1930: smaller and about 450 lb lighter than the O series it replaced, with three seats in tandem open cockpits. The UPF-7 of 1937 was the tandem trainer version, with a wide-track undercarriage and a 220-hp Continental radial. The Civilian Pilot Training Program adopted it, and more than 600 were built before production stopped in 1942. The Army Air Corps bought one XPT-14 and 13 YPT-14s. This code also catches the rest of the F family, including the YMF-5, which WACO Classic has built new since 1986 under its original 1930s certificate.
In 1940 Waco built a monoplane trainer, the RPT, for Army trials. The Army passed on it and Waco kept building UPF-7 biplanes, so the RPT stayed one of a kind. The lone prototype now belongs to the WACO Air Museum in Troy, Ohio.
Quick answers
How do you identify a UPF-7?
A trim open-cockpit biplane with two cockpits in tandem, an uncowled radial with its cylinders exposed, N-shaped interplane struts and a wide-track main gear. Look for the cut-out in the upper wing's trailing edge over the cockpits. The modern YMF-5 shares this code and the same open-cockpit look.
What does a UPF-7 sound like?
The deep, steady rumble of a seven-cylinder Continental radial with its cylinders out in the breeze.
How fast is the UPF-7?
Top speed is 113 kts (130 mph).
How many passengers does the UPF-7 carry?
Up to 1. A typical layout is Instructor and student in tandem open cockpits (YMF-5: two passengers up front, pilot behind).
How far can the UPF-7 fly?
Range is about 348 nmi.
How big is the UPF-7?
It is 23 ft 6 in long and 30 ft 0 in across the wings.
When did the UPF-7 first fly?
Its first flight was in 1937.
How many UPF-7s have been built?
More than 600 UPF-7 (1937 to 1942) built.
How rare is a UPF-7 in Bogey?
COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first UPF-7 catch is worth 25 points.
