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-07.14.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.15.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.16.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.17.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Thu, Jul 17, 2025

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

From 2010 (YouTube Edition): 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

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (07.15.25): Charted Visual Flight Procedure Approach

Charted Visual Flight Procedure Approach An approach conducted while operating on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan which authorizes the pilot of an aircraft to proceed >[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (07.15.25)

“When l became the Secretary of Defense, I committed to rebuild our military to match threats to capabilities. Drones are the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation, >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.15.25)

Aero Linx: Stearman Restorers Association Welcome to the Stearman Restorers Association. The Stearman Restorers Association is an independent “Not for Profit” 501C-3 Co>[...]

NTSB Final Report: Kjelsrud Gary Kitfox

Airplane Exhibited A Partial Loss Of Engine Power When It Was About Halfway Down The Runway Analysis: The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane was departing from his pr>[...]

NTSB Prelim: Cessna A150L

The Flight Path Was Consistent With Low-Altitude Maneuvering On June 18, 2025, about 0922 mountain standard time, a Cessna A150L airplane, N6436F, was substantially damaged when it>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Change Display

Headlines Only | Headlines w/ Teasers | View Everything

Advertisement

Top Videos

Airborne 07.18.25: Will MOSAIC Be Announced Tuesday???, 12 Hot News Items

Airborne-Flight Training 07.17.25: Dual Ignition C172, CFI-ATP Course, FAA Boss

Airborne 07.16.25: Guilty Droner, C-17 Comeback?, Hartzell Grows Again

See All

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

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