Classic Aero-TV: Profiles in Aviation – Ed McKeown’s Rearwin Cloudster | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

 Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-11.24.25

AirborneNextGen-
11.18.25

Airborne-Unlimited-11.19.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-11.20.25

AirborneUnlimited-11.21.25

LIVE MOSAIC Town Hall (Archived): www.airborne-live.net

Sat, Apr 20, 2024

Classic Aero-TV: Profiles in Aviation – Ed McKeown’s Rearwin Cloudster

From 2009 (YouTube Version): Ed McKeown Introduces His Award-Winning Rearwin Restoration

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.

FMI: www.antiqueairfield.com, www.rearwin.com/index.asp, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews
 


Advertisement

More News

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (11.27.25)

“Achieving PMA for the S-1200 Series magnetos is another step in expanding our commitment to providing the aviation community with the most trusted and durable ‘firewal>[...]

Airborne 11.26.25: Bonanza-Baron Fini, Archer v LA NIMBYs, Gogo Loses$$$

Also: Bell 505 on SAF, NYPA Gets Flak For BizAv 'Abuse', FAA Venezuela Caution, Horizon Update Textron Aviation has confirmed it will be ending production of the Beechcraft Bonanza>[...]

FAA Seeks Info For New Brand-New ATC Platform

State-Of-The-Art Common Automation Platform To Replace Legacy Systems The FAA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the initiative of the Trump Administration and U.>[...]

USAF Reaper Drone Crashes Off the South Korean Coast

Kunsan Air Base Reported the Accident During Routine Operations The US Air Force has confirmed that it lost an MQ-9 Reaper drone to the South Korean waters on November 24. The airc>[...]

Hartzell Engine Tech Magneto Gains FAA-PMA

PowerUp S-1200 Series Approved, Available for 4- And 6-Cylinder Engines Hartzell Engine Tech announced it received FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval for its PowerUp S-1200 Series air>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Change Display

Headlines Only | Headlines w/ Teasers | View Everything

Advertisement

Top Videos

Airborne 10.03.25: Phantom 3500 Buy, ‘Chinese Military Company’, NOTAM Redesign

Airborne Affordable Flyers 10.02.25: MOSAIC Start Date, AFE25 Tickets, ePulitzer

Airborne 10.01.25: New Gulfstream G300, Affordable Flying Expo Tkts, Starship 11

See All

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC