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NorCal Bambi · 07-09-2009, 06:30 AM

No response on this the first time. Any body have thoughts on how I might research who and where Rudy might be?

Don

flyfshr · 07-09-2009, 06:40 AM

Don ~

The only thing that comes to mind is if PeeWee sees this. There may be an off chance he knew Rudy or knew of him. He may even have photos of the employees at the factory, hopefully with names. Just a guess though.

Good luck.

Brad
FF

NorCal Bambi · 07-09-2009, 06:59 AM

Brad, Thanks I've sent a note to PeeWee to see if he has any information.
Don

flyfshr · 07-09-2009, 07:33 AM

You know, I got to thinking in one of my Airstream related books, there was a picture of the factory workers. This image is from the Bryan Burkhart book and was taken in 1956 at the CA plant. Good chance one of these is Rudy. While going through the Wanderlust book, I remembered there was a list of all of the AS employees in the back. I looked for anyone with the first name of Rudy or Rudolph as well as the last name of Rudolph but to no avail. Rudy might have been a nickname or a middle name.

Good luck in your search.

Brad
FF

NorCal Bambi · 07-09-2009, 08:48 AM

Brad, thanks for the great picture. And the resurch on the name Rudy. I'm sure it's an original signature because it was on the side of the frame toward the outside on the street side. It was under the belly pan section. When I removed the belly pan I would way it was the original installation.
Thanks Again. Don

BarryIowa · 07-09-2009, 12:33 PM

Really great progress Don and quality workmanship as well. I'm sure I'll be PMing you with questions from time to time if you don't mind

NorCal Bambi · 07-09-2009, 12:47 PM

62-lander, If you didn't get the sight for the information. This is it -http://www.vintageairstream.com/archives/index.html
I'd like to see some pictures of your trailer. Willing to share info at any time.
Don

NorCal Bambi · 07-09-2009, 09:30 PM

Yesterday evening I did get the bumper welded in place. And the machine shop did a great job. Cut out the places for the fenders and rebuilt the fenders. Drilled out some rivets. Many to go.

NorCal Bambi · 07-19-2009, 10:30 PM

I've been working on gluing and elevator bolting down the new floor pieces. Also using Penetrating Epoxy on the end grain of the plywood. What a mess! Removing rivets from the shell and salvaging the "U" channel on the front and back of the trailer. The fronts were perfect. The backs not so good. I think some PO had backed into stuff more than once. The bent bumper is not the only challenge. The pictures are the rounded corner "U" channel from the back street side of the trailer.

NorCal Bambi · 07-20-2009, 06:22 AM

I've found this product at Ace Hardware. It's similar to Valcum in the fact it is of the same chemical structure. It's also a light brown in color rather that the silver gray of Valcum. I've used it to "seal/glue the floor and fenders to the frame. It's as messy as Valcum and takes about 12 hours to set up. This is my second restoration and in both trailers I've noticed that water must sit between the wooden floor and the metal frame. This causes quite a bit of rust on the top of the frame. So I have used this product as an attempt to prevent further damage. The product seems to set up a little harder that Valcum but is still somewhat flexable. Wonder if anyone else has used this product?
Don

Aerowood · 07-20-2009, 08:53 AM

I used it on my GT for the exact application. I also know that it is a bear to break loose the wheel well to reposition if the front corner is not in the correct position. I discovered this when changing the curbside lower skin and had to adjust it some. Post 137 of my Thread

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f416...nte-26902.html

NorCal Bambi · 07-21-2009, 07:30 AM

Aerowood, I was thinking about what repairs would be like after gluing thing together with the Ace Hardware material. I looked at your thread. Lots of great information. I'm not an A and P mechanic, but I worked on my 59 Bonanza with my mechanic for several years. And I agree with Door Gunner Airstream builders are of a different level. The work I'm doing on reshaping the curved "C" channnel would never be done on an aircraft. I've stressed that piece of metal beyond belief. But as you or someone else said, " I'll be staying in the dust". Thanks for your input.
Don

NorCal Bambi · 07-21-2009, 07:46 AM

Well I've worked the Aluminum to reshape it. It's not beautiful but it will work for a ground based machine. I did decide to make one cut to get the final shape. The metal was getting a lot of stress and I didn't want to bend it any further. I'll be making all the straight "C" channel with new metal. I'm planning on making the belly pan out of more pieces that the original. Frame to "C" channel will be one set of pieces leaving the center section as separate pieces.

BarryIowa · 07-22-2009, 06:24 AM

Don,
This looks fantastic. Great job! Just so it isn't confusing, I changed my profile name to BarryIowa from 62-Lander since I sold it. Also, in case I buy any more Airstreams I won't have to keep changing my name

You have posted on my thread before I think but if you would like to see pics of my progress, here is the link:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f73/...5-a-52490.html

DubleDeuce · 07-22-2009, 02:04 PM

I looked at some of your pictures, WHY are you working in gloves, muff hat, and heavy jacket while the sun is shinning? Inquiring minds want to know.

The Deuceman

NorCal Bambi · 07-23-2009, 12:55 AM

BarryIowa, I looked at your thread. What a great Cloud. You are a better man than I am. After all that work I don't think I could sell mine. In fact my whole home is filled with stuff I can't seam to part with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryIowa

Don,
This looks fantastic. Great job! Just so it isn't confusing, I changed my profile name to BarryIowa from 62-Lander since I sold it. Also, in case I buy any more Airstreams I won't have to keep changing my name

You have posted on my thread before I think but if you would like to see pics of my progress, here is the link:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f73/...5-a-52490.html

NorCal Bambi · 07-23-2009, 12:58 AM

DubleDeuce, I'm not sure which picture you are referring to. My guess is one that during the winter. It can get to 18 degrees with the sun shinning here. The last few weeks it's been 100 or very close to 100. It looks like it going to stay that way for a while. Right now t-shirt and jeans is all.
Don

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubleDeuce

I looked at some of your pictures, WHY are you working in gloves, muff hat, and heavy jacket while the sun is shinning? Inquiring minds want to know.

The Deuceman

BarryIowa · 07-23-2009, 05:46 AM

Sorry for the confusion. I sold my 1962 Overlander (which prompted my profile name change) NOT the 1955 Cloud.

NorCal Bambi · 07-23-2009, 06:31 AM

BarryIowa, Your Cloud is a work of art. Glad to hear it still resides in your studio. If and when I get mine finished, it would be special to bump into each other in some boondock and share notes.
Don

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryIowa

Sorry for the confusion. I sold my 1962 Overlander (which prompted my profile name change) NOT the 1955 Cloud.

safari57 · 07-23-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryIowa

Sorry for the confusion. I sold my 1962 Overlander (which prompted my profile name change) NOT the 1955 Cloud.

Whew!!!! Glad to see you kept that gorgeous Cloud. There may come a day in the distant, very distant, future, when mine shines about half that nicely.

The "other" Barry (well, one of them - there seems to be a lot of us with Airstreams).