Rearwin Sportster 7000, NC18024
Capacity: two
Length: 22 feet 3 inches
Engine: 70 hp LeBlond 5DE
Maximum speed: 110 mph
Cruise speed: 100 mph
Range: 480 miles
Service ceiling: 14,000 feet
The Rearwin Sportster 7000 was manufactured by Rearwin Airplanes Inc. at Fairfax Field in Kansas City, Kansas, from 1935-1937. Other Rearwin models flown by CAP include the Cloudster, Skyranger, Junior, and Speedster.
The tandem two-seater Sportster 7000 was a light high-winged cabin monoplane of fabric and wood composites over a welded steel frame. The Sportster might not have been a raving beauty, but it could be equipped with many items for a happier pilot’s life.
With an abundance of head- and legroom, the Sportster was agile, yet handled like a heavier airplane. Its inherent strength offered pilots peace of mind.
Civil Air Patrol flew many Rearwin Sportster 7000 aircraft both during and after World War II. NC18024 was flown by the Pennsylvania Wing.
Maj. Ron Finger is a freelance illustrator and member of the Minnesota Wing’s Crow Wing Composite Squadron. The longtime military and aviation history buff’s earliest aviation painting assignments appeared as covers for in-flight magazines.
Later, Minneapolis defense contractors like 3M, Control Data, Honeywell and Unisys kept Finger busy with painting assignments for aircraft, submarines, ships, and tanks. In 2012 he joined the Air Force Art Program, where a select pool of artists are assigned “art missions” to document specific U.S. Air Force Operations.
Painting “to honor those who serve” is the motto on the art program patch and defines Finger’s continuing efforts as an aviation artist. His new staff position as CAP’s national artist feeds his passions for researching and creating art that portrays historical emergency service. A pet goal is to complete paintings documenting every aircraft type Civil Air Patrol has flown.
This is the second painting in Finger's second series of depictions of vintage CAP aiircraft.
More of Finger’s CAP art work can be seen at redpine.net.
Silvered Wings No. 1 – Fleetwings Sea Bird F-401
Original source can be found here.
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