The Aeronca C-2 had successfully debuted in 1930 as a low-cost two-seat ultra-light sportplane, setting a trend for aircraft manufacturers trying to survive the Great Depression.

[3]: 101–102 The Junior was tested with an experimental engine by Guy Poyer (a business acquaintance of the company's main investor) built in the Rearwin factory, but that project failed.

[3]: 105 The Junior was a conventional, high-wing monoplane with two seats in tandem in an open cockpit and fixed, tailskid undercarriage.

[5][page needed] The wings were of wooden construction while the fuselage and empennage were built from welded steel tube, with the whole aircraft skinned in fabric.

[3]: 103 Although the Rearwin Junior was designed to meet the lowest possible sale price, the onset of the Great Depression severely limited the size of the market for sport aircraft, and only a small number were built.