Hehr Ventalation - Vintage Delight!

The rear Fantastic Fan is polished and installed.  In 1955, each Airstream was built to a customer's specifications.  And we are very fortunate to have on our 1955 Flying Cloud Airstream the "Very Rare Hehr Lid Skylight Panel" and Colin reconfigured it to work with the Fantastic Fan vent housing using a new gasket.  Someday I'd like to find the names of the original owners, and send them a huge thank you for their choices!

Propane Tanks Support Updated Post

Rather than leave it alone, I've decided to update the March 1st 2014 post.  The photo of just this old rusty as found tank support was too short and not helpful.  The old 3/1 post photo.

We have new aluminum propane tanks to replace the PO (previous owners) old rusty steel tanks
While we purchased new propane tanks from Vintage Trailer Supply, or original propane tank support bracket survives and got some attention.

This is the original rod, and also the crank handle for the trailer jack.

Love seeing photos that Colin sends.  And it is a great to see the 55 FC written on all our parts.  Colin has organization as well as knowledge and creativity to solve problems.  Yeah!

With the rust rod removed and the bent base straightened, then it was cleaned up - sand blasted.

I wonder if Colin is still using the sand blasting cabinet that he bought in "Mary Tyler Moore" Minnesota VAP Episode 26 on a hot humid summer day...

A steel reinforcement was welded to the base of the propane tank mount before the rod was installed.

Propane Tanks Support

While we needed to purchase new propane tanks  from Vintage Trailer Supply, or original propane tank support bracket is surviving and will soon get some attention.  It will be straightened out and sand blasted.

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!

Frame was 3" - Now 4" Deep - Or is it???

Prior to 1955 Vintage Airstream Frames were 3" deep.

The change to a stronger 4" frame was started in 1955.

Unfortunately, our Flying Cloud was manufactured in California with the 3" frame.  Our gray water and fresh water tanks from Vintage Trailer Supply are 4" deep.  As planned - to fit the tanks into the frame, Colin Hyde changed our frame to be 4" deep.

The longer frame will allow us to add a bumper trunk also.

With the small angle cut from the frame, the 3" bumper remains the original depth!

Welded closed, this also prevents water from sitting inside the frame causing rust.

And eliminates a way for mice and other critters to enter the trailer.

In 1955 and many other years, Airstream built trailers with  no rear cross member.  So the plywood floor was not directly supported by the frame, rather the floor was cantilevered from the next forward cross member.  And the plywood was originally attached through the C-Channel only to the aluminum shell.  

No wonder that attaching accessories to the back of an Airstream is a bad idea.  Spare tires, generators, even bike racks should not be attached to the trailer rear without significant frame work.

Colin beefed up our structure by adding a rear cross-member.  The aluminum shell, plywood floor, C-Channel, and shell will all be securely attached together with elevator bolts.

 

 

 

Rotisserie!

The front hold-down plate was removed, but will be replaced.  The hold down plate strengthens the connection of the frame to shell at the higher stress front area.

Big Belly Removal of 56 Years of Wear and Weather

Exterior above. Interior Below.

Mouse urine is acidic and corrosive and stinky!

Any Spring Left in these Leaf Springs

Our leaf springs and axle will be updated to a better riding torsion axle.

One Dent. Two Dent.

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

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!!!

Airstream CA 7787

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

Late Arrival - Existing 3-D Layouts

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

Party Time - No Sleeping Allowed

The bed frames with drawers and the night stand have been temporarily returned to the bedroom.  

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

One of the ways to hide water damage is adding a new flooring.  I understand that the new floor is often added without identifying and stopping the source of water entering the trailer.  Parquet flooring
And perhaps the previous-owner grew damaged the walls or merely tired of the green Zolatone, and painted the walls.  Either way, I want to see the very durable Zolatone finish restored to our Airstream. 
 
With the beds removed, there is enough room for dancing at a party.

Peeping Tom

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...
 
As usual my question has been asked and answered on the Vintage Airstream Podcast (VAP) 
I'll try to find the episode number, I think it is somewhere in the 190's....  
My understanding is that the early years Airstreams were made with the C-Channels installed in pieces.  Colin let me know that we would improving the trailer with a more water resistant solid C-Channel is is done for modern Airstream trailers.


More photos at Byam's 1955 Flying Cloud.

Naked

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

Looking to the rear of the trailer, and above the back hatch, this area behind the night-stand is the original Zolatone.  Beautiful green speckled Zolatone.

The original floor is muliple colors of what I think is lanoleumm tiles - 4" x 4" tiles.  The colors may have been nice with the interior, but I'm having a hard time seeing it in my mind.  The tiles are so worn, dirty, and discolored as is the small areas of unpainted green Zolatone.


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 vintage Airstream 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....

Antenna and Awning - Intact....almost

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!

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