ABOUT AVIATION CADETS

WACO Aviation Cadets is an educational program for students 10 to 16 years old and is held at WACO

Air Museum & Learning Center. WACO Aviation Cadets meet on Thursdays from 4-5:30 pm (weather

permitting). Students are working together to restore the one-of-a-kind, 1940 WACO RPT while being

mentored by adults in restoration skills. This helps students set challenging goals and develop their

capacity to achieve those goals, while giving them an opportunity to explore possible interest in an

aviation career. If you or someone you know is interested in WACO Aviation Cadets, please call the

museum at 937-335-9226 or Visit the LEARN tab at www.wacoairmuseum.org

ABOUT THE PLANE

The WACO RPT was built at the WACO Factory in Troy, OH in 1940 as the sole low wing airplane ever

manufactured by WACO. It was a prototype aerobatic trainer for the USAAF trials. The project was

halted when a large order for UPF-7’s came in. It was sold in 1962 and was transported to Hannibal, MO

where a 125hp Warner Scarab engine was replaced with a 165hp Kinner engine, and a canopy and

winglets were added.

ABOUT THE DONORS

The airplane traded hands a few times, eventually being owned by the late Dean W. Mitchel, of

Wisconsin. Dean Wallace Mitchell, or “Wally” to his friends, purchased the Capitol Airport in Brookfield,

WI in the mid 1970’s and continued to own it until 2006. During this time, this hard working family

extended the grass runway and laid a hard surface air strip as well. The family is known for always

seeking to improve and promote aviation and its heritage. As well as being a member of the OX5

Aviation Pioneers, Wally was a member of MAAC (Midwest Antique Airplane Club) which was founded

to promote interest in antique airplanes and encourages preservation, restoration and flight of classic

aircraft.

Upon the death of Dean Wallace Mitchell, the five Mitchell children (Gary, Sharon, Dennis, Beverly

and Shirley) donated his airplane to WACO Learning Center, in January 2018, for the purpose of being

restored to original appearance by youth, under the tutelage of those experienced in WACO aircraft

restoration. The history and the stories of the 1940 WACO RPT will be told to visitors, world-wide, as it

prepares to make a debut in the lineup at WACO Air Museum.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

This project is made possible by the donation of the Wallace Family, and by a grant received from

NAHA (National Aviation Heritage Alliance). Aviation Cadets is also sponsored in part by The Duke

Foundation. The Dean Wallace Mitchell legacy will continue through this project as the youth involved

are introduced to history, vintage aviation, and restoration techniques. If you would like to help sponsor

this program or the restoration project, please click here.

FINAL WORD ABOUT AVIATION CADETS

The goal of Aviation Cadets is to launch students into a lifelong path of high achievement and

fulfillment. The students are motivated and look forward to seeing their names on a plaque in the

museum next to their handiwork. If you or someone you know is interested in WACO Aviation Cadets,

please call the museum at 937-335-9226 or Visit the LEARN tab at www.wacoairmuseum.org

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION FORM

(IT WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AFTER YOU CHECKOUT)

NEW! SPONSOR A CHILD BY DONATING BELOW!

OR, SUPPORT THE RESTORATION PROJECT