Protecting Jalousie Window

Our only jalousie window is at the front of the 1955 Flying Cloud.  Many other trailers have jalousie windows on the sides of their vintage trailers, but the original owners (who are you?) chose to have the window with glass louvers at the dining area.

Great idea but, what about the potential for crashing flying rocks?  Even tiny chips of gravel or sand flying at 60 mph could break glass.  We enjoy fly fishing, and many of the best "hidden" spots are along winding rivers on narrow gravel roads.  To drive to quiet spots and/or boondock, we again will need the smaller less maintained roads which are not paved in concrete and cement or asphalt.  So Colin's guys made us a custom built stone guard for our front window.  Made of wavy green fiberglass, and yes Colin did say fiberglass!  We will have light and save our windows too!

Shown propped open while our stone guard awaits the opening arms and tie down clips.

Looking at the details!

Windows - We've Got Windows! - Part 2 - Rear and Front

Our plans for how we use our vintage Airstream are to enjoy our time - as we currently do with our 2008 CCD.

We rarely use full hook-ups.  We do enjoy traveling and camping in the hot summer months, so we do look for sites with electricity to get some sleep.  We boondock and enjoy staying at remote locations without electricity where ventilation is key to our comfort.  Like the cutest shoe, if uncomfortable - then it won't get used.

All all these are considerations when buying an Airstream, and I'd highly recommend renting a trailer before buying one, as it helped me to understand the comforts I needed, wanted, and what options are merely a waste of time/space/money.

At the rear of the trailer, the large window provides an emergency exit.  When towing, the rear window also provides a clear line of sight to the road behind the trailer. Currently, this feature is no longer available from Airstream, and is another reason we wanted a vintage trailer.

Set inside the trailer the "back-window" of the jalousie window is cleaned up and has a new screen.

The "back-window" of the rear window is cleaned up with new gasket and new screen. The mullions will be attached after they are powder coated.

The aluminum mullions and frames are polished and new glass is inserted into the rebuilt frame with new gaskets.

 

Cleco fasteners are inserted hold the front jalousie window (old glass was removed).

The window edges were taped to be ready for Vulkem caulk and buck rivets.

The jalousie window is riveted to the Airstream shell.

Jalousie Window and More Are Polished

Colin's guys have polished the window frames before they are riveted back onto our vintage Airstream.
Polishing the window frames off the trailer is a more thorough way of getting the aluminum to shine.
And it is much easier not reaching over your head and awkward angles - time and money saving!

Some parts are acid washed before they are polished.

One of my favorite things about our 1955 Flying Cloud is the front Jalousie window.
Ok, I know I probably will list at least 50 favorite things, but I do love the cooling breezes that will enter from the front window - even during a summer rain shower.
The glass was removed for the aluminum frame to be polished.

Polished - it is so beautiful!

Also polished are the openings where the newly polished window frames will be attached. 

Even the door gutter is polished and ready to rivet to the soon to be polished shell.

More photos.

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!

Windows and Frames

Byam's 1955 Vintage Airstream has a Large Front Jalousie Window,

More photos available at our photo website:

      http://byams55flyingcloud.shutterfly.com/

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

Jealousy of Jalousie windows

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