09/30/2026
Meet our 2012 WACO CTO Taperwing 🏴☠️
If you’ve ever wanted to get up close with a piece of aviation history, meet N8517. This 2012 WACO CTO Taperwing replica was built by RARE Aircraft Ltd. and acquired by our team in 2020 after a search for an aircraft that would truly capture the history, character, and aerobatic spirit of classic aviation.
Powered by a 275 hp Jacobs R755B-2 engine, the WACO reaches a maximum speed of 140 mph and cruises at 120 mph, with a 30-foot wingspan and 22’6” length. Originally inspired by the legendary WACO Taperwing aircraft, this replica carries the unmistakable look of a classic racer and aerobatic aircraft while offering a one-of-a-kind experience here in Galveston.
As aviation writer Budd Davidson described the Taperwing: “It was a racer; an aerobat—the sportsman pilot’s dream...”
Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, photographer, filmmaker, brand, or creative looking for a unique setting, the WACO is more than an aircraft. You can rent this plane as a photo backdrop for your next photoshoot, campaign, editorial, commercial project, or creative production.
