"KayLee" 1941 Waco UPF-7 First Flight by Lisa Turner

“KayLee” 1941 Waco UPF-7 First Flight by Lisa Turner

Jamie Beckett

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 12:11 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

A couple completed an extensive 8-year, 7,000-hour frame-up restoration of a 1941 WACO UPF-7 aircraft, which they named "KayLee."
The aircraft, originally bought as a rusted frame and parts, had its successful first flight after restoration on May 6, 2021.
The restoration included significant upgrades and modifications, such as an electric panel, radios, Cleveland wheels and brakes, and an engine roller bearing STC.

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1941 WACO UPF-7 Serial #5593, First Flight after Frame Up Restoration

My husband and I bought this airplane in 2014 as a rusted fuselage frame along with boxes of parts. After working for 7,000 hours over eight years, we flew it for the first time May 6, 2021, the day I took this photo of the airplane and test pilot Joe Brinker. We named the airplane “KayLee,” a combination of family names.

We made numerous upgrade modifications as we were building, including right-side console with electric panel and radios, Cleveland wheels and brakes, and a metal fuel tank cover with engineering approval. The engine was also modified to the roller bearing STC.

Canon Powershot G3 1/160 sec exposure, max aperture 4.96875, f/5.6, ISO 125, focal length 80mm.