Inspired by the world’s newfound aviation intrigue,
Raymond Andrew Rearwin, along with his sons Royce and Ken, started
Rearwin Airplanes in 1928. Bursting into the industry scene
during the “Golden Age of Aviation,” the company
designed and built more than 400 aircraft before closing in
1946.
Among the instrument trainers and gliders, Rearwin Airplanes
debuted the Rearwin Cloudster in 1939; featuring strut-braced
high-wings, the aircraft included an enclosed cabin and fixed,
tailskid undercarriage. Though the Cloudster’s
commercial success was poor, the airplane has remained a namesake
among antique aviation enthusiasts.
Approximately 124 Rearwin Cloudsters were built, with four
variants on the market. Designed to be a larger, more
commanding successor of the Rearwin Sportster, the Cloudster marked
the progression from tandem seating to side-by-side seating for
Rearwin Airplanes.
The 8090 and 8125 models featured side-by-side seating, while the
8135 model featured a three-seat arrangement. Shortly after
their debut, an estimated twenty aircraft, designated as 8135T,
were modified to tandem seating for Pan Am instrument flying
trainers.
Today, an estimated six Rearwin Cloudsters remain airworthy.
One of them, however, to the excitement of enthusiasts,
arrived at the 2009 Antique Aircraft Association’s annual
gathering.
Ed McKeown debuted his authentic restoration at the Blakesburg
Fly-In nearly 70 years after its first test flight. Chosen
for Chapter Choice at the AAA’s Fly-In, McKeown’s
Rearwin Cloudster also won the 2009 Classic Grand Champion and the
Rearwin Family Award.
Aero Linx: Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA) Established February 25, 1993, the Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA), based in Washington, D.C., is a not-for-profit association,>[...]
Abeam An aircraft is “abeam” a fix, point, or object when that fix, point, or object is approximately 90 degrees to the right or left of the aircraft track. Abeam indic>[...]
Aero Linx: The Air Charter Safety Alliance The group, called the Air Charter Safety Alliance, will raise awareness of illegal charter flights among potential customers, charter bro>[...]
“For months, ALPA has been sounding the alarm on the ongoing efforts by some aircraft manufacturers to remove pilots from the flight deck and replace them with automation. To>[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (06.10.24): Known Traffic
See All