Country of origin:

United States of America

Description:

Two seat light touring monoplane

Power Plant:

One 67 kw (90 hp) Le Blond five-cylinder air-cooled radial engine

Specifications:

History:

In 1928 RA Rearwin started to design and produce a series of light aircraft for the commercial market which culminated in the Sportster series of two-seat, light, touring monoplanes. Variations in the model numbers in the series were mainly related to the type of power plant fitted.

In 1935 the Model 8500 appeared powered by a five-cylinder Le Blond SDI radial engine providing 63 kw (85 hp). This was followed by the Le Blond 5F of 67 kw (90 hp), and the aircraft to which it was fitted was known as the 9000L Sportster. In 1938 Mr Rearwin acquired the Le Blond engine works and renamed the engines ‘Ken-Royce’.  Production continued of the five-cylinder series of radial engines, with improvements being made. The Model 8500 and 9000L were basically similar, but the 9000-KR was redesigned, especially around the nose. The engine cowling also had an altered shape. The 9000-KR had the Ken-Royce radial of 67 kw (90 hp). Two examples of this model were obtained by the USAAF as the UC-102 for light utility transports. A total of 787 Rearwins was built, of which approximately 260 examples were of the Sportster series, with the last being completed in 1941.

Construction was of welded chrome-molybdenum steel-tube fuselage framework, faired to shape with wooden fairing strips, then fabric covered. The wing framework was built up of reinforced solid spruce spar beams with spruce and plywood girder wing ribs. The leading-edges were covered with dural sheet and the completed framework was covered in fabric.

Four Sportsters have been registered in Australia over the years. VH-ABX (c/n 612D), a Model 9000L, was first registered in January 1939 but crashed at Kingston in Tasmania on 6 June 1941. VH-UYS (c/n 535D), a Model 9000L, was registered first in June 1937.  Still extant, after retirement in August 1972 it spent some years on display at Airworld at Wangaratta, VIC. In 1999 it was sold and underwent restoration to airworthiness in Queensland.  VH-ADL (c/n 656D) and VH-ADM (c/n 654D), both Model 9000-KRs, were registered in May 1940, and were sold in New Zealand in December 1941.

Four Sportsters have appeared on the New Zealand civil register.  A Model 9000L (c/n 613D) was initially registered as ZK-AGQ. This aircraft operated with the New Plymouth Aero Club until it was impressed by the RNZAF as NZ599 during World War II for communications duties. It was later returned to the civil register as ZK-ALF and was restored to airworthiness, being re-registered on 31 July 1946 with the New Plymouth Aero Club. It was sold to John Galpin of Pongakawa on 30 May 1977 and was placed in storage. It eventually returned to the civil aircraft register on 30 November 2009 as ZK-AGQ.

ZK-AGS (c/n 607D), a Model 9000L, was first flown in New Zealand after assembly on 3 December 1938 and operated by the Te Kukiti Aero Club. It was also impressed into service by the RNZAF as NZ565 during World War II, and was returned to the register later as ZK-AIP at war’s end on 28 February 1946.  However, it crashed and was destroyed on 28 March 1956 at Tasman Downs Station, Lake Pukaki when it crashed on take-off.

ZK-AHM (c/n 654D, ex VH-ADM), a Model 9000-KR, was first registered to the Auckland Aero Club in December 1941. It was impressed by the RNZAF as NZ568, and was later returned to civil use as ZK-AKE. Named ‘Rugby’ it remained airworthy until 1969, when it was dismantled and stored at Palmerston North in about 1970.  It is understood it will be restored to airworthiness in Auckland.

ZK-AHN (c/n 656D) was first registered in December 1941 to the Auckland Aero Club and was also impressed into RNZAF service during World War II, becoming NZ569. At the conclusion of hostilities it was returned to civil use as ZK-AKA, and was stored in Wellington in 1968. It has since commenced restoration at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton by the Sport and Vintage Aviation Society.