Byam's '55 Flying Cloud

Ok! Ok!

2011-09-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

Yes I am behind in posting.
My last posting was May 1st 2011.
So to keep this all in order, I will be posting photos back to June 2011.

Tanks A Lot!

2011-05-01T21:13:00.000-07:00

So here it is - one of the tandem tanks to hold our grey water.
As a gift, gray is better than black.

Nothin' Says Lovin' Like...

2011-04-25T18:49:00.002-07:00

This email lovingly arrived...
K,
Looks like this might be just in time for your birthday! Nothing says I love you like a brand new gray tank….
S
At least I am not getting a BLACK tank!!!

Door in-a-Door Inside Details

2011-04-25T18:49:00.001-07:00

In contrast to the hinges, the inside latches are simple.
It's all in the details, and they all need work.

Door-in-a-Door Details

2011-04-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

Such a cool detail!

Same double-pin-hinge closes both doors!

Gone Fishin'

2010-09-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

I'll post more photos and details later when internet access is better. Right now Fish Creek Pond is calling us - boondocking here we come!

And trout are waiting in the West Branch of the Ausable River.

Soft and Gooey

2010-09-23T07:02:00.000-07:00

Oh yes. The faux-wood-look vinyl covered a bit of floor rot. The entire floor is bouncy and the right side is not secure.

Being under the trailer myself, I am better understanding what I've seen in photos of other trailers. Below is my photo taken from the ground looking up into the area normally covered by the belly pan - the underside of the plywood floor. The step should securely attach to the frame here. The step on the right is photographed from the rear of the trailer and looking forward. The 3" deep (aka tall) C-channel frame shown on the left.

Below: As expected there is floor rot at the typical 1950's segmented C Channel. The first photo shows the C-Channel flat on the floor.

The photo below shows a small strip aluminum - remaining when the rest of the belly pan was cut off and removed. This aluminum belly pan strip was pulled down through the rotted floor to below the chasis frame. On the right side of the photo is the segmented C channel.

One Dent. Two Dent.

2010-09-22T23:40:00.000-07:00

This dent was very obvious to me from the photos before we said "yes mine!"

The roadside lower panel that I did not see from the photos. Colin said this one can be almost erased when the interior skin is removed.

Oooo Oooo Oooo Ahhh Ahhh Ahhh - All I Want to do with you

2010-09-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

With apologizes to the Beach Boys...
My first time to see my 1955 Flying Cloud.

And Colin - I can't believe we talked for 5 whole minutes before I pushed past to jump inside!!!

California Dreamin'

2010-09-21T22:01:00.000-07:00

Oh my - you have no idea how excited I am to see our Flying Cloud.
I've been in Barry's trailer, but this will be my first chance to see and touch this - the trailer of my dreams!!!

Oh gosh I hope that it is the Airstream of my dreams...as Colin has cashed my checks for the As-Found Vintage Airstream. Did I see everything in the photos? Please don't let it be a nightmare!! Please let me still be in love...please?!?!?

John Brommel - Lavatory Sink Artist

2010-09-20T19:08:00.001-07:00

Our bathroom sink - from a sketch, to the 2-bowl mock-up, to reality. John is our favorite metal artist.

Checking the fit

2010-09-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

From a tiny 1" x 1" Airstream specification drawing of the cross section - Scott generated a drawing, and the full-sized mock up was built. Using Barry's trailer - we checked the fit - very very very close.

Oooooo - I am getting excited to see our Flying Cloud in person.

Sitting on the Coke Cans

2010-09-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

Sheets of cardboard, and a printout to full size, and a stick of wood - now I can finally sit in my bathroom. The toolbox was too low for the toliet, but adding a 12 pack of Coke Zero made the height just right. I spent a couple hours checking out the fit.

Nested together, the 2 stainless steel bowls made a good mock-up for the sink that will be added to the wet bath.

Airstream CA 7787

2010-09-08T19:26:00.000-07:00

No news to share on our Airstream.
Yet it is now on on VintageAirstream.com

I Wanna See One - Bowlus Road Chief

2010-06-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

Finally we saw a Bowlus!!
At the RV Museum in Elkhart.

Then a restored Bowlus Road Chief at Alumapalooza! Two this week!
Airstream has one at the factory - that makes 3 - all in one week!

Inspiration Day 1

2010-06-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

RV Musuem in Elkhart IN - Vintage Airstream - Inspiring!

Indiana Source for Vintage Trailers and Parts

2010-06-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

Before Alumapalooza, our side trip took us to Peru IN to see aluminum trailers - vintage Airstreams, Spartans and more!

VintageCampers.com in Peru IN.

More photos available, including photos of Alumapalooza! When we get them uppacked, then I will post photos of our purchased parts for our 1955 Flying Cloud restoration

Searching for our Title - Wants vs. Needs

2010-05-21T18:28:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update, Colin is looking for the title for our vintage Airstream. When it is our turn at his restoration business, we want to be ready to make all the upcoming decisions. Every rally, and every camping trip now makes me think about our wants vs. our needs, and how to fit this all into one 22 foot Flying Cloud.

More Light

2010-04-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

Another find for missing light shades.

I'm excited for the potential of the Airstream and am really happy to find another part for the restoration. It just seems a bit odd to be buying so many interior details when we need to get a new floor, electrical system, and plumbing. Seems like arranging flowers while the foundation is caving in... fortunately we have a stong frame and I am going to keep believing that until Colin opens up the floor.

In Collections...

2010-04-14T19:43:00.000-07:00

We seem to be in the collection stage of our Airstream restoration. This is a match to the pitted light over the door.
Work on our Flying Cloud has stopped, while Colin works on another trailer, Vintage Thunder. And believe it or not - I am glad to be delayed, as we will still be able to camp, caravan, and rally this year. Vintage Thunder's owner is without any trailer during the upgrade, and it only seems right that everyone be able to travel this summer. Still I'm excited for our turn!

20 Years Ago Today

2010-03-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

We just bought a replacement electrical receptacle for our 1950 house. This aluminum one from the front of our house is an exact replacement for missing one on Byam's '55 Flying Cloud! I did not know we bought the house 20 years ago and were planning ahead for the Airstream!

You Light Up My Life

2010-02-28T20:23:00.000-08:00

We found this beauty right here in Iowa!

The owner was happy to sell this cool porch light to us.

It needs some work.

TAC

2010-02-23T20:00:00.000-08:00

Proud to be TAC IA-4

Proud to be a member of WBCCI Iowa Unit.

Bathroom Drawing in 3D

2010-02-16T19:52:00.001-08:00

Toilet will be located about the black tank.

Flying on a Cloud - 1260 Miles Away in Seconds

2010-02-13T07:11:00.000-08:00

Even though she is 21 hours and 1260 miles away - it is very cool to be walking through our trailer!

Although if I were there - Plattsburgh is even warmer and drier today!

Troublesome Panel

2010-02-10T05:15:00.001-08:00

Well we thought that all the exterior skin was in pretty good shape. Except the rear upper dent, which Colin assures us can be mostly removed. Looks the panel behind the door has been replaced. Perhaps due to damage from the door unexpectedly opening sometime in the past.
The rivet heads are larger, and the panel was not buck riveted. So we will need to have the panel removed and safely riveted on.

Now the question is do we replace the panel? Downside is cost. Upside is the rivets will be the same size as the rest of the trailer. And this is the panel that we will be looking at during every happy hour for years to come!
Decision made. New panel.

Found my sisters!!!

2010-02-09T20:28:00.000-08:00

So cool! I was just on Airforums (again) and found Byam's older sister and her younger sister also. Both 7786 and 7788 are listed on the Flying Cloud Registry thread. And I am going to learn how to add our #7787

There is so many people sharing their love of the Airstream - makes me happy!

What is it?

2010-02-05T05:31:00.000-08:00

What is it?
It is shipping today to Colin

Birth!

2010-02-03T18:11:00.000-08:00

Our vintage trailer was the 37th Flying Cloud built in California in 1955.
This being 2010, Byam's Flying Cloud will soon have her 55th birthday!

We were not at the California factory when our Flying Cloud was born, but here are a couple photos of a new Airstream's birth from our Airstream plant tour at Jackson Center OH. For a tour, please call ahead if you are planning to visit around Wally Byam's birthday, as the plant tour is not available during their inventory day.

Coveted Door-in-a-Door

2010-02-02T05:33:00.001-08:00

The exterior door handle is broken, fixed with a steel plate. Perhaps caused by lifting the handle and not turning it.
So we are looking for a new handle and a new bezel aka escutcheon plate that is less pitted. Looks like during use, the door-in-a-door was not completely closed, and the repaired handle dented the door itself.

Door hinges are stainless steel, but the pins are steel. Time to pretty this up! California used the steel pins, but Ohio used stainless steel pins from the factory!

Previous owner solution to keep the door closed in travel. The aluminum panel is damaged, so the lock-stile will be replaced. And then we can't be accidentally locked into the trailer by our "friends"!

Below the bottom hinge the door-in-a-door is damaged, another area to fix.

VintageAirstream.com

2010-01-29T17:04:00.000-08:00

Published by Permission from one of the foremost Vintage Airstream Enthusiasts -
Your Flying Cloud is a 100% custom layout and features by the the original buyer – I really like the layout they chose, too bad time beat the crap out of the trailer. Only thing missing is a shower, but it has a full aft twin bedroom and front dinette. Ideal travel layout. They really thought through want they wanted.

The wood species (Elm) is in line with the other options in the trailer, and was probably custom specified (upgrade). Same with the front Jalousie. If you peruse the archives, you will come across similar early-mid fifties trailers with the option as it allowed from ventilation.

Best of luck!
RJ
VintageAirstream.com
'65 Caravel
'56 Flying Cloud

Shiny New Sink Plan

2010-01-29T05:40:00.001-08:00

Mock-Up shown on Lauan. The wall material is not yet decided. The top paper circle is a mirror mock-up.
The bottom shows the lavatory sink mock-up - it is 3/4 of a sphere. Made in Stainless Steel, the sink protrudes from the wall, while drain will be hidden in the wall. The back splash will be the top quarter of the sphere - here is indicated by half of a discount store bowl. The faucet is hidden just behind the wall. A quick disconnect will be also part of the faucet spout, so that we can attach the hand-held shower hose with shower head. We are checking with our local metal fabricator/guru, to get the possibility and details worked out.

Below is the promised drawing of the wall's layout.

Jealousy of Jalousie windows

2010-01-27T17:43:00.000-08:00

Interesting comparison of Front Window Sizes.
1955 Flying Cloud on the left seems to have a taller window than the 1956 Caravanner
Could be due to our Jalousie window?

Keep my Singing in the New Shower Pan

2010-01-27T17:26:00.000-08:00

The best part of The VAP Episode 108 was Steve "Dancin" Hansen learning how to pronounce East Coast town names - Thanks Tim!

The shower pan fits! Next time I only sing in the shower! And apparently I amuse my husband....

We have been digging out of ice and then snow in Iowa and just this morning heard Kathy’s gone vintage thing when she called into the show. Too funny! I will cherish the lyrics for years to come. Gone vintage, Scott

Late Arrival - Existing 3-D Layouts

2010-01-26T16:45:00.000-08:00

This is a post a bit out of order, sorry.
Existing layouts - in 3-D
Just click here

Nice Rear End!

2010-01-26T16:36:00.001-08:00

Our bumper needs work. We are replacing it with a bumper trunk, The new truck similar to the one below. Ours is being designed to hold a quick-disconnect mount for an exterior water hose. Great later-model feature for washing off mud from our fly-fishing boots and Byam's feet. And hidden from view - vintage with an upgrade that we think Wally would like!

And we are looking for a license and light assembly with fewer pits.

Wally Now Byam's '55 Flying Cloud

2010-01-26T16:32:00.001-08:00

How cool! We got a message from Wally - the man who sold the trailer to Colin!
We hope to learn more about the Airstream before we became the caretakers.

A bit to ponder...
So what was Wally's '55 Flying Cloud
http://www.vintageairstreamer.com/arthur/arthur.htm
Is now Byam's '55 Flying Cloud - it just seems meant to be!

This is a photo of Byam on our first full day together! We took her when we got our CCD from storage for the year!

Thanks! Tanks!

2010-01-25T16:53:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Scott!

Travel to Plattsburgh by Air, by Sea, & by Land

2010-01-25T16:45:00.001-08:00

Ferry to Plattsburgh!

Colin Hyde Trailer Restorations - Huge Door! And Vintage Airstream & Argosy Vintage Thunder

For more photos click here

I Can See Clearly Now - The Pane is Gone

2010-01-25T16:15:00.000-08:00

Reid is hard at work removing the windows.
The plan is underway - new glass, cleaned up, and polished.

Bathroom - Location Location Location

2010-01-22T18:08:00.001-08:00

Existing layout Below

Option 1 Below – Current scheme, toilet in rear of bath near wheel housing. Like the steps from the overhead cabinet to refrigerator to bath.

Option 2 Not shown – Similar to option 1 but toilet moved to front and wheel housing in the shower space.

Option 3 Below– Bath enlarged forward, keeping rear wardrobe cabinets. Problem with access to dinette and no furnace.

Option 4 – Cabinets moved into corridor. Problem with access to dinette and limits view in trailer of rear. Took too much from trailer interior.

Enlarged photos - click here

Oh Where oh Where will our Little Wall Be?

2010-01-22T05:09:00.001-08:00

So Scott and Colin are working on the same question.
Should the wall all line up in one plane, or step back?
First option - wall be all in one plane?

Second option - step the wall back?
Scott's CAD Drawing

Colin's Mock-Up

We own a new toliet!!

2010-01-21T08:24:00.001-08:00

Well, the old toilet had to be replaced - our new toilet arrived and it fits. Good bye gopher hole - Hello black tank! The black tank decision is made - above the floor and under the toilet. Approximately 13 gallons is the plan.

Bathroom - 1st Mock Up Ideas

2010-01-19T16:29:00.001-08:00

The only location that fits the toilet and leaves leg room. The bowl shows a possible location for the sink.
Or another lavatory sink location.

Tight fit, but it should work for height!

Party Time - No Sleeping Allowed

2010-01-19T06:03:00.001-08:00

The painted walls and added parquet flooring. It has to go!

Peeping Tom

2010-01-18T06:04:00.001-08:00

Peeping into our walls - this is our first look - photos sent by Colin from Plattsburgh NY.

We expected water damage in the toilet room. And under the front jalousie window / water tank.

And as always the back floor. I need to ask Colin why the metal at the base is not one solid piece...

More photos at Byam's 1955 Flying Cloud.

Tiny Bath - Big Decisions

2010-01-15T05:21:00.000-08:00

As we want our Flying Cloud to look period circa 1955, most decisions will be easy. The bathroom however presents challenges. We need enough room for a small shower. There is room for a wet bath. We did use the wet bath in our leased 16' foot Bambi but did not like drying it with a towel, it never was dry enough. I'm just hoping ShamWow towels will work well...

Proposed Floorplan Change

Colin is 5' 10"

Naked

2010-01-13T05:59:00.000-08:00

The walls are naked! Look at all the wide open space!

This area behind the night-stand is the original Zolatone.

The original floor.

Because we are adding a shower, the cabinet layout on this wall will be adjusted. Okay, here's the thing. I am not the handy one in the family. So as well as trying to learn to be more handy (I hope!) - my job is to document the process. So if anyone has any suggestions for how to improve this blog, please do share with me using the comments feature below. Seriously, I'd like to think that I am not the only one reading this....

Aluminum Anniversary

2010-01-13T04:47:00.000-08:00

This entire journey started for us with a conversation over dinner at our Flying Mango restaurant. We were savoring our brisket (Scott) and ribs (Kathy) and talking about our 19 years of married life. Little did we know that this would be our Aluminum Anniversary! Aluminum may not be on the jewelers list of anniversary celebrations, but it will always be on ours. We were talking again about vintage Airstreams.

Years earlier, when we started vacationing again we wanted to spend time out West - exploring nature, spending time outdoors, and trout fishing including our then new hobby fly fishing. And we wanted to be mobile, not stuck to a strict and constricting schedule of a hotel iterneary. Having spent my childhood first in tacky (literally) motel rooms, and then the luxury of a trailer, I knew travel-trailer is the way to go! In spite of having the best time with our very great group of friends - a tent-camping trip early in our early-dating-years was soggy and therefore not sucessful for good sleeping. So we rented some=other-brand motorhome for a few years, then found an Airstream dealership who leased Airstreams! Wow!! So for 3 years we had access to different Airstreams 19' bambi, 16' bambi, and 19' CCD Bambi. We loved Airstreams!

Not finding the vintage Airstream that met our list of "wants" - we purchased a newer Airstream to keep traveling. Joining the WBCCI was a good decision, and we have the best times with our WBCCI friends! We had a network of people traveling the country looking for vintage Airstreams!

Back to our Aluminum Anniversary dinner - we were talking about our list of wants and decided to contact Colin Hyde of Colin Hyde Trailer Restorations to see what trailers he might have available. Colin, with Tim Shepard and Rob Baker - they who are the VAP - have been a wealth of information on all things aluminum.

Below is an excerpt of the the best anniversary gift-email a gal could ever get:

Kathy and I are listeners to The VAP and have a newer Airstream trailer now and will keep that trailer. For our second Airstream, we would like help to determine the model and year of the vintage trailer of our dreams. You could use this discussion on the VAP program but we do not need to be on the program.

...you had a list of trailers waiting for restoration and wanted to check if you got this far in your new adventure with restoration of Airstream trailers.

Looking for something before 1957 but could still use help as we have not been able to see that many vintage trailers. We were at International 2009...open house ...trailers between 50 to 57 were few. Last weekend our Iowa Unit had their 50^th year anniversary and we were able to see 1955 Flying Cloud owned by BarryIowa on Airstream Forums. Unbelievable trailer find and was just ticket for us but is gone to a good home….

Thought about this some, if [sic all vintage trailers] need everything...wish list would be something like the following:

13 panel 1950 to 1957 before midyear change to 7 panel

Whale tail

No wet bath

Tandem axles

About the size of a Flying Cloud 21’ to Overlander 26’ size.

I know that all of the items above may not be possible but is a starting point.

We can tow 7300 lb with current vehicle.

Scott

Antenna and Awning - Intact....almost

2010-01-12T05:51:00.000-08:00

We think the antenna is such a cool thing to have still with the Airstream.
I don't know if it is Airstream supplied, or after market, but I'd want to keep it.
The antenna direction is controlled inside using the handle - still intact!

And with the original awning - we have a pattern for a restored awning.
I'm already thinking sitting under the awning, cool and comfortable.
And dreaming about having our friends sitting with us during WBCCI rally happy hours.
And margarita's on a beach.
Both will come with time, and with Colin Hyde's help!

Details

2010-01-10T12:49:00.001-08:00

Bedroom - Sans Mattress

2010-01-07T16:24:00.001-08:00

I understand that removing the mattresses before I saw the interior was the best favor that will ever be done for me. Thank you Colin!

With the reading material storage, this will need to be my bed!

Vintage Trailer Supply sells Restoration-Quality Locker Hardware. These are silver-colored, which are not yet available. I will need to ask Steve if these are coming soon - I hope so!

Bathroom as Found - Lots of Work to Do

2010-01-07T16:11:00.000-08:00

Not shown is the drop to daylight "feature"
I'm really not ready to dig a gopher hole!

Notice the Previous Owner Added Shelf!

No Shower - I must shower!
We boondock often, and I need to shower.

Interior Layout as Found

2010-01-07T15:48:00.000-08:00

I'm lucky to have a talented designer
This is a to scale floor plan of the trailer as found.
For a more clear photo visit http://byams55flyingcloud.shutterfly.com/
- you can enlarge the drawing there to see more details and dimensions.

Interior as Found - The Very Vintage Kitchen!

2010-01-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

Interior as Found - Very Flexible Seating!

2010-01-06T16:27:00.000-08:00

So as most of the photos are self-explanatory, I will make no comments.
Except I will need to confirm with Colin -
- I expect that the upholstery material is not period circa 1955.

More First Look Exterior Photos

2009-12-29T06:10:00.001-08:00

I'm in Love - First Look at Byam's 1955 Flying Cloud.

2009-12-22T05:16:00.001-08:00

We've always wanted an Airstream.
After leasing an Airstream for 60 days over a 3 year period.
We did not find a vintage Airstream, so we purchase our 2008 Signature Series CCD 25 foot Airstream.

Then we met Barry and his 1955 Whale Tail Flying Cloud!
And at nearly the same time we found the trailer of our dreams.
This is Byam's Trailer and our story of restoration.

Here is our first look at our 1955 Whale Tail Flying Cloud!
Byam's 1955 Flying Cloud.