Rearwin Sportster 9000-L NC18089
Capacity: two
Length: 22 feet 3 inches
Maximum speed: 118 mph
Cruise speed: 108 mph
Range: 490 mi;es
Service ceiling: 15,000 feet
The Rearwin Sportster models 8500 and beyond were light, high-winged cabin monoplanes with tandem seating for two. The targeted buyer was the sportsman who required extra gear-hauling capacity along with adequate handling power and versatility.
Available options included an engine speed ring, wheel pants, night-flying gear, and a radio. The 9000-L model featured a five-cylinder 90-horsepower LeBlond engine.
Among several other Rearwin Sportsters Civil AirPatrol operated during World War II, pilot and aircraft engineer Lt. Col. James C. Reddig flew his 9000-L, NC18089, as a New York Wing member.
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 sixth painting in Finger's second series of depictions of vintage CAP aircraft.
Original source can be found here.
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