Raised Eybrow! - Drip Edge for the Door

Back in the 1955 Airstream trailers had people-like personalities.  The straightend and polished door's eyebrow gutter was installed.

Door-in-a-Door Rebuild - Part 1

Airstream's door in a door is such a cool feature of our 1955 Flying Cloud.  When we first started looking to buy a travel trailer, we were quick to choose an Airstream.  The streamlined beauty of all Airstream trailers and the silver motorhomes is classic, iconic, and appealing.  Made in the mid-west (Jackson Center Ohio) the durability and long life of Airstream made our decision an easy one!

When researching vintage Airstream trailers, one feature that I wished to have was the door in a door.  Got it!!!
Like many things that 59 year old, our door needed a bit of work.

The inner door within the door was removed.

The rivets were drilled out and the outer skin was removed from our main door.

The original deadbolts that hold the smaller door will be sandblasted and painted.

Big Dent - Big New Plans

When we bought our Airstream, the beautiful whale tail was dented - two of the end cap panels were dented.  Sadly deeply dented. And while not likely, I was truly wanting our dents to be removed, to be another vintage Airstream success story.

Colin Hyde Trailer Restorations has been successful removing dents, with deeper dents improved by 90% or more, so my decision was easy to make to save the panels.  The street-side end panels were removed.

Using their very best effort, and finessing the aluminum back into shape, the panels were attached with clecos back to our Airstream whale tale.  The panels are were dented, creased, and stretched.  The English wheel was not successful in removing the dent and the polished panels would be forever scarred.

So we made another easy decision that new panels will need to be fabricated and installed.

Warming Up - Insulating the Belly Pan

Reflectix reflective insulation is cut to fit under the plywood floor between the frame rails including above the water tanks.   It will also be used to insulate under the water tanks.
Note:  The step is painted with a UV resistant topcoat over the black POR 15.
The visible portions of the rails will topcoat painted soon. 

The portions of the frame that are cut out for the plumbing connections - all will be strong!  Each cross member will be strengthened at the bottom with a heavy steel bolt-on bridge.  The bolts will allow access to the plumbing if needed at a later date.

 









The dump valve is installed & valve handles extended through the main rail into an are that will be accessible through a flip down hatch.

 












 Gray tanks installed!

 









Fiberglass Insulation to really keep us warm! 

The end of the cross members have the added anti-chaffing strips.
First piece of the belly pan is cut!!!!  We are moving forward again!

Working with Barry

Wanted to share this from 8.28.11
Barry invited Scott over to do a little work on his vintage Airstream.  I think it was out of sympathy for Scott who is missing our 1955 Flying Cloud...  It was a good day!

Banana Wrap - Front

At the bottom front and rear of the 1955 Flying Cloud is a strip of metal called the banana wrap.  Photos.

Like many 1950 era Airstream trailers, the front banana wrap was dinged and dented from road debris.
The metal was pounded back into good shape, and is polished.

Seeing the World Shine!

 Leaning on the ShopSmith are our original windows - removed from the shell December 14th 2009.

 The old caulk, Volkem, and seals were removed before the polishing was started.

 Shine is coming!

Oh so very shiny!

Step Attached to the Frame and Painted

 Our original step - refurbished - with new Slide-A-Way welded to the frame.
The metal on the outside of the cross members will be used to attach the belly pan.

 Painted to prevent rust.

Now I have a way to step into my trailer!  I am so looking to using this step!

Searching for our Title - Wants vs. Needs

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.

Found my sisters!!!

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!

VintageAirstream.com

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