Photograph:
Rearwin Cloudster VH-ABL (c/n 820) (Geoff Goodall collection)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Light cabin monoplane
Power Plant:
One 90 kw (120 hp) Ken-Royce 7-G seven-cylinder air-cooled radial engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.42 m (34 ft 1¾ in)
- Length: 6.58 m (21 ft 6 in)
- Height: 2.23 m (7 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 15.03 m² (161.8 sq ft)
- Max speed at 305 m (1,000 ft): 217 km/h (135 mph)
- Cruising speed: 193 km/h (120 mph)
- Stalling speed: 84 km /h (52 mph)
- Service ceiling: 4,572 m (15,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 262 m/min (860 ft/min)
- Cruising range: 966 km (600 miles)
- Fuel capacity: 129 litres (28 imp gals)
- Empty weight: 517 kg (1,140 lb)
- Loaded weight: 862 kg (1,900 lb)
History:
A sister aircraft to the Rearwin Sportster in the Rearwin stable, the Model 8135 Cloudster was built by the Company at its Fairfax Airport, Kansas, USA, facility from 1940, at that time being powered by the Ken-Royce radial engine. The Cloudster was a three-seat aircraft, with two in the front side-by-side and one in the rear. Construction was of 4130 chrome molybdenum steel tubing frame and tail, with a wooden wing, spars and ribs, the entire aircraft covered with Grade A cotton and doped. Full dual controls were fitted, with the right-hand stick and rudder pedals removable. Full VFR instrumentation, with a wind driven generator for the electrical system, was available.
The Cloudster was designed by Robert Rummell and produced in a few basic models. With the 67 kw (90 hp) Ken-Royce five-cylinder 5-F engine it seated two and the prototype was flown by William Miller for the first time in April 1939. Production of the Model 8090 commenced that year but customers required more power. The Model 8125 was introduced in 1940 with the 90 kw (120 hp) Ken-Royce 7-F engine and a third seat, and later the 8135 in 1940-41 was introduced with the improved 7-G engine. More than 125 examples were completed, including 25 exported to Iran for use as trainers and utility aircraft. A further model appeared in April 1941, this being the 8135-T, the prototype of which flew in April 1941, being for pilot training for Pan American Airways at its bases in Alaska and San Francisco, whilst others went to flying schools.
Only a small number survive these days and most survivors have been restored by vintage enthusiasts, one being restored and presented by its owner to the EAA Museum at Oshkosh in Wisconsin, USA. One example, a Model 8135 (VH-ABL – c/n 820), was imported for Mr E Norton of Midland Junction, WA and registered in June 1940. This aircraft was, at some stage in its life, due to problems associated with spare parts for the engine in the 1950s, fitted with a Gipsy Major I engine. The aircraft was lost in a fire on 21 October 1958 at Wave Hill in the Northern Territory.