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MarkR · 02-25-2005, 04:55 PM

Barry, wow this is great. I would be very interested in seeing pictures of your trailer and knowing the "layout". I'm attaching a close up of my serial number. My Title says it's a 1952 but the research I did would put my number (7171) in 1951 (like yours). Coincidentally I have finally started working on it - gutting it out (only about 1/2 of original was still there, no frig, no heater, no "gaucho" or dinette, a toilet room was added . . . and the floor is pretty bad in a number of spots).
Mark

safari57 · 02-25-2005, 05:59 PM

Okay, I do not know how to load pics. Just tried and it did not work. Suggestions anyone?

Thanks,
Barry

MarkR · 02-25-2005, 06:13 PM

Barry, I don't think you can in "post quick reply". You have to go to the "advanced" reply option and scroll down to "manage attachments" and pick browse, find your image and then attach it . . . and it must be less than 100k.
Mark

safari57 · 02-25-2005, 07:52 PM

I am not having any luck uploading most of the pics. This is how it looked when I bought it, December 2004. I've redone most of the interior. I'll see if I can figure out how to load those pics.
Barry

Barry

safari57 · 02-25-2005, 08:00 PM

[img]file:///C:/My%20Documents/108_0866.JPG[/img]
From the rear - has late 50's taillights on it now.

85MH325 · 04-20-2005, 07:06 AM

With the help of the ever-watchful john hd who found this one on the side of the road in Spring Green, WI I am now the owner of a (titled as) 1953 Flying Cloud, S/N 3009!

The previous owner installed a shower with a drain through the floor where the roadside bed probably occupied. He also put nicely done pine board countertop on the original cabinetry at the front. I can't tell what the original layout of the front was, but I don't think it was probably the dinette; however, with original cabinetry across the front under the window, it probably wasn't a front-couch configuration either.

As you can see from the photos, it's a fairly stock trailer otherwise. He was even "kind" enough to provide me with the original split-rim wheels and tires! Lucky me...

The floor is sound all the way through! It has one small area in the curbside rear quarterpanel skin that will need to be properly patched. It needs a new hitch coupler and jack, tanks, OPD compliant hoses, wheels and tires, taillights, new electrical pigtails both 12v and 110ac, and a good cleaning. It needs some detail work inside and out. The taillights are missing, and the backing plates look like they were originally rectangular! So, recognizing that this one's not a candidate for a concours restoration, I bought some modern rectangular rounded corner, but inobtrusive, taillights to mount over the original backing plates...

I'll probably get it dressed up and pretty and resell it sometime later this spring, but I sure enjoy playing with these things!

Fred, FF, 53FC... anyone... if you can tell me anything more about these, jump right in! Fred... from the s/n, 3009, can it actually be a '53? I've seen a number of the VAC memberships' FCs in person, and several others... but until you actually HAVE one, there are lots of details that you overlook!

Roger

MarkR · 04-20-2005, 09:43 AM

Is there an "O" in front of the 3009? According to the link below it would be a 53 and made in Ohio.
There seems to be a lot of variation in Floor Plans, Window Placement from this period, I haven't found one that matches mine.
Looks like a great find, if that refrigerator works, or can be made to work, it's probably nearly priceless to some wacky airstreamer . . . I'll pay what ever you ask (just kidding). Anyway, thanks for sharing the pictures and good luck.
Mark

MarkR · 04-20-2005, 09:44 AM

whoops, I forgot to post the link I was talking about:

http://www.vintageairstream.com/archives1/53FC/53FC.html

47WeeWind · 04-20-2005, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85MH325

Fred, FF, 53FC... anyone... if you can tell me anything more about these, jump right in! Fred... from the s/n, 3009, can it actually be a '53? I've seen a number of the VAC memberships' FCs in person, and several others... but until you actually HAVE one, there are lots of details that you overlook! Roger

Roger:

Congratulations on acquiring an excellent looking Flying Cloud; she's a beauty! Your FC 0-3009 (the "O" for Ohio appears to be faintly stamped in the s/n plate) is the 9th FC built in the 1953 model year. It looks like the twin bed model, with another twin streetside where the shower now is, and a nightstand under the rear window between the beds. A lot of 1953 FC's had the dinette up front, and the full width shelves across the front suggest yours may have too. Front end alternatives are a 3 piece divan (unlikely with the full width shelf) or two barrel back "easy" chairs (likely).

85MH325 · 04-20-2005, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47WeeWind

Roger:

Congratulations on acquiring an excellent looking Flying Cloud; she's a beauty! Your FC 0-3009 (the "O" for Ohio appears to be faintly stamped in the s/n plate) is the 9th FC built in the 1953 model year. It looks like the twin bed model, with another twin streetside where the shower now is, and a nightstand under the rear window between the beds. A lot of 1953 FC's had the dinette up front, and the full width shelves across the front suggest yours may have too. Front end alternatives are a 3 piece divan (unlikely with the full width shelf) or two barrel back "easy" chairs (likely).

Fred, Mark... thanks very much! This stuff is always so interesting to me. Here's a closeup of the serial plate on this trailer. It appears that perhaps Jackson Center was a little hit-and-miss with the "O" stamp in front of the serial number. After looking, feeling, and cleaning the serial plate, there doesn't appear to be an "O" in front of the 3009 on this one!

Roger

47WeeWind · 04-20-2005, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85MH325

Fred, Mark... thanks very much! This stuff is always so interesting to me. Here's a closeup of the serial plate on this trailer. It appears that perhaps Jackson Center was a little hit-and-miss with the "O" stamp in front of the serial number. After looking, feeling, and cleaning the serial plate, there doesn't appear to be an "O" in front of the 3009 on this one! Roger

Well, on closer inspection it certainly appears that the "O" stamper had the day off. You'll note the serial number plate has only the 1755 No. Main Street, LA factory address. My theory is the Ohio factory [usually!] added the "O" prefix to identify an Ohio trailer on a California s/n plate. Looks like your trailer suceeded in its wish to "be" a California trailer (even thought built in Ohio).

john hd · 04-20-2005, 10:44 PM

hey rog,

did you get the little guy home ok?

how did it ride behind the toyota?

john

85MH325 · 04-21-2005, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john hd

hey rog,

did you get the little guy home ok?

how did it ride behind the toyota?

john

Hi John!

I used the Reese WD hitch. I thought I had an extra set of cam arms, but I don't, so I just used the WD part without sway. It towed really nicely, although I did feel some 'truck suck' a couple of times on Hiway 61 coming back. I could tell it's slightly heavier than my Burro 17', but not much. I couldn't use the trailer brakes because someone cut the wires and it has a 4 pin flat plug. I just bought a new 12v Bargman pigtail to take care of that... I had the seller repack the bearings before I picked it up, and otherwise, it towed like a Cloud!

Thanks again!

Rog

mlconw · 02-14-2006, 07:45 PM

Hello to 65GT and all other interested Airstreamers!

I purchased my 1953 Flying Cloud #O3028 in August 2004 from the second owner whose parents bought it from the original owner in the early 60's. I am just now starting to use the Airstream Forums, so I'm still a newbie. I got distracted by purchasing and restoring a 1969 Ultra Van motorhome (Corvair powered) shortly after I got the AIrstream.

Everything looked pretty original on the Flying Cloud and seemed in good shape on the inside, so I started by restoring the exterior with a good polishing. I still remember a neighbor suggesting that this project might take 6 months - "heck no, I'll be all done in 6 weeks!" Famous last words!

I soon removed the 10-year old carpet to find some floor rot, and the next thing I knew, I had completely cutted the entire interior, stripped it down to bare aluminum and begun a total restoration. But more on that later.

As to the dinette, mine was not original either. Based on my research, O3028 originally had a folding table and side chairs. The dinette was added a long time ago and was very crudely constructed. The photos posted on the Vintage Airstream site by the previous owner make it look a LOT better than it was: plywood boxes, with the table bolted to the front nose cabinets. So now that I have repainted the interior skin, laid all new flooring with vintage tile, and I am constructing all new cabinets. As you probably have learned, Airstream spared just about every expense with their woodwork. The construction of mine was typical: pine frames, nailed together (no glue); birch frames on the fronts, doweled together; birch plyword doors and drawer fronts; all finished with Orange Shellac. I have competed the kitchen cabinet and am nearly done with a replacement dinette. I have reused all the original birch, but rebuilt the frames with doweled oak. When new doors or drawers have been needed, birch plywood similiar to the original has been used. All wood has been stripped, sanded, sealed and finished with Orange Shellac (which is tricky to use).

My goals when designing the new dinette included:
underseat storage, removable table, conversion into a bed, access to the front nose cabinet. Again, construction was with doweled red oak frames and birch plywood. I can send you my detailed plans, but in general my seat units are 28" deep x 44" long x 14" high. The back supports are 16" high angled at 8 degrees. My new cushions are 4" thick. The table is 42" x 28" supported by a central metal pipe. The kitchen-side unit has two hinged doors in front and the seat hinges open. The door-side unit is the same, except it also has a hinged door on the end.

Hope this helps get you started. I can post my plans and photos when completed. I've attached some photos of completed kitchen cabinet which includes a cooktop and hidden microway to replace the original Sunray stove.

54cloud · 03-26-2006, 12:22 PM

Hi mark, my name is dominic and I 2 am restoring a flying could. I have read your posting and I have similar questions. I don't think that those early models were equipped with bathrooms...or even tanks...am i wrong? take care and thanks for any info.

MarkR · 03-27-2006, 10:09 AM

Dominic, you're right, they weren't equipped w/bathrooms but I think buyers had a lot of "say", and the story I got was they had the factory install/modify the trailer to have a wet bath, and they way it was built I'd say it was "factory". There was never a tank, just a waste line to hook directly to a sewer line. I am moving very slow on this project, I have the shell off, all the plywood (mush) has been removed. I need to finalize a design and do some frame repair/reinforcing and then I can get moving again. Where are you at with your project? What is your serial number? Do you have any pictures?
Mark

jim floyd · 10-26-2006, 08:58 PM

mark, my brother just bought a 52 flying cloud (serial 6186) in the houston area.it is in very good condition except it is missing the refrigerator and furniture.it has a full,original bath with shower and original toilet.the bath room door is frosted glass in perfect condition,made in hollywood,ca.the trailer was made in the los angeles factory.it has a near mint condition deluxe dixie stove and mint looking original furnance.out side skin is near perfect.we are researching what furniture it use to have.it needs tail light lenses,if anyone has any for sale.i hope he did not pay to much for it at $550.

safari57 · 10-26-2006, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim floyd

mark, my brother just bought a 52 flying cloud (serial 6186) in the houston area.it is in very good condition except it is missing the refrigerator and furniture.it has a full,original bath with shower and original toilet.the bath room door is frosted glass in perfect condition,made in hollywood,ca.the trailer was made in the los angeles factory.it has a near mint condition deluxe dixie stove and mint looking original furnance.out side skin is near perfect.we are researching what furniture it use to have.it needs tail light lenses,if anyone has any for sale.i hope he did not pay to much for it at $550.

Wow, sounds like a great deal to me. It's just incredible how many of these very early fifties trailers have survived. Pictures, pictures, pictures please. Barry

MarkR · 10-27-2006, 11:07 AM

Jim, Occasionally those tail lights do show up on eBay . . . and sometimes if they're a complete set (not just the lenses), they sell for nearly as much as your brother paid for the trailer. You can now get reproduction lenses at Vintage Trailer Supply (assuming you're talking about the rectangle tail lights):

http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/...Code=VTS%2D327

And that serial number sounds like it's a 1952 Cruiser. If it's 25' from bumber to ball then its probably a Cruiser.

http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...ser/index.html

We'd love to see some pictures.
MarkR

rickandsandi · 10-27-2006, 12:02 PM

Mark-

Great news on your Flying Cloud! If you want to see what a 1953 Flying Cloud unmolested looks like go to this address: My good friend Rich Luhr (Airstream Life Magazine) just picked this one up this week. Everything is original including all the junk inside. He plans on keeping this one for himself with a total restoration. Worst part of it is he won't share this one with me! Anyway the pictures are great and should give you a very clear idea of what the Flying Cloud looked like back in it's day.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/airstre...7594343242327/

Enjoy!