Visit our Popular Forums

r&kweber · 02-02-2009, 08:41 PM

We picked up our FC on Saturday! The excitement around us being able to work on this babe is starting to ease the loss of the 18 footer. We'll be removing cabinets soon in preparation to separate the shell from the frame - yippee!

For a ton of photos from the day we first looked at the trailer, go here.

We've also started a blog so that friends and family can keep track of the progress. For that, go here.

We're pretty excited to get started!

Katie and Ryan

goransons · 02-02-2009, 08:47 PM

Congrats, what a great project, can't wait to see your work and follow your progress.

ts8501 · 02-02-2009, 08:55 PM

Katie and Ryan:

Congrats on your new trailer! I've linked your blog through mine, and will be watching your progress with great interest. The very best to you and your family on this new adventure in aluminum!

-Tim

gail · 02-02-2009, 08:55 PM

Good luck and the size will be great for the family as the children can only get bigger. What a beautiful family you have! grammy g

SilverPal · 02-02-2009, 09:57 PM

Congratulations on a great find!

kitchenclose · 02-03-2009, 03:24 AM

Congrats Katie and Ryan. I'm glad you found your "diamond". I look forward to your updates.
K

Silverhobby · 02-03-2009, 06:39 AM

I look forward to seeing your progress on this unit. 59 is a good year (when I was born) Congratulations on finding a great looking Airstream.

bolou97 · 02-03-2009, 06:54 AM

I am happy that you found one and look forward to the blog of everything you do to it.
Lou

danalee · 02-03-2009, 07:01 AM

What a gorgeous family. I am so glad that you found a new AS. I know you will come to loe her as much as the late great. I still hold out the hope she will be found some day.

silverleeper · 02-03-2009, 07:09 AM

Roll up the sleeves there is some cleaning to do. It looks like almost everything is in its place. Does this trailer really have tow toilets? Good luck.

flyfshr · 02-03-2009, 07:29 AM

Congratulations on your new adventure. Looks to be a great candidate for your efforts. I know this one will be even better than the previous. I'm also going to link your blog on mine so I can follow along. I see our trailers were built the same month and year. No wonder they look so similar.

59's are the best!!

Brad
FF

Sixty3TW4US · 02-03-2009, 09:37 AM

Glad to see you have purchased another AS. Much success with the restoration on the 59 FC. I will be following the progress. Great pics and blog.

FLYNCLD · 02-03-2009, 09:41 AM

Congratulations! Your attitude is amazing! We will be following your restoration. You can take a look at our 1962 22" Flying Cloud at:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/blog...6-flyncld.html

Have fun!!!

safari62 · 02-03-2009, 09:58 AM

Hi Katie & Ryan
That looks like a worthy trailer for restoration. It is in great condition as it seems nothing has ever been damaged or replaced. So many trailers have been "remodelled" or "updated" leaving less than was originally there. The exterior and interior surfaces are very nice.

As you probably know the Flying Cloud floorplan was designed for two person travelling with more galley space than a Safari or Caravanner that usually had mid twin, mid double beds, and a front gaucho bed pullout.

This looks like the bath are is located off to the side/rear of the trailer?

May I suggest looking into some of the early sixties Safari floorplans with front galley, mid beds and rear bath area. This could be a way to increase sleeping areas for everyone and improve bath area from the small side arrangement.
I can tell by the way you took the photos that you know exactly what you are in for and that you have done this before. And also that it is going to be awhile before floorplans are needed.

Good luck. I will follow your project.
gary
p s
gotta love the dueling toilets and cast iron pipe!

SUEHOWIE · 02-03-2009, 10:33 AM

Nice job guys...I am down in Auburn WA and have been keeping an eye out for the missing baby...it's funny, in my 10 minute ride home from work I have found 3 Airstreams just by looking out for them....I still think it's out there. I am working on a 1957 Overlander and can't wait for the weather to get a bit warmer so I can tear it apart!

r&kweber · 02-03-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverleeper

Roll up the sleeves there is some cleaning to do. It looks like almost everything is in its place. Does this trailer really have tow toilets? Good luck.

The PO had purchased a second toilet to replace the original... As the "new" one was broken, we tossed that in the trash. Ryan was able to rebuild the original on the 18 footer, and we really liked the results. We'll end up doing that this time around as well.

r&kweber · 02-03-2009, 11:00 AM

Our plan is to replace the front couch with a J-shaped dinette that will fold down into a solid double. Both of the boys should fit in that for years, or at least until they don't want to camp with us any more! Otherwise the floor plan is going to stay the same. We'd like to refinish the original cabinets and put them back in place as the trailer comes together.

Mike Leary · 02-03-2009, 11:10 AM

Glad you got an other cutie to take your minds off the loss.

millvalleyca · 02-04-2009, 11:06 AM

Hi R&K
Congratulations on your new baby!
What condition was your other AS in when you started to renovate it?
How long do you think it will take to finish this new project?
Good luck!
Can't wait to see the "progress pictures"
Dennis

r&kweber · 02-04-2009, 12:21 PM

Dennis,

Our 18 footer was in good shape inside. Cabinets had been refinished and new zolatone had been applied. Also, water system had been updated. Unfortunately, the skin had leaks. A new thin layer of OSB and vinyl floor (installed by PO) had encapsulated the leaking water, causing significant dry rot in the plywood subfloor. That rot is what started the shell off restoration in Jan. 2008.

The magic question is how long! The good news is we've done it before so were starting from a place of experience. The bad (and good) news is we have a new baby boy! (See post #1). A three month old baby doesn't like the sound of grinding metal, floor adhesive in his little fingers, etc. Big brother likes sparks, hitting stuff with hammers, helping dad cut wires, etc. Let's put it this way: our only reservation for the summer is at the end of July and we'd like to sleep in the Flying Cloud.

Be sure to check out the pictures on the blog:

Our '59 Flying Cloud

We'll be sure to post some here too.

This project takes the edge off of looking for the 18 footer. We haven't forgotten about it!

Ryan.