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Jim Foster · 11-20-2011, 12:57 PM

Just saw a CW that Uwe is re-building at Area 63 in Orange, CA.

One nice thing about those trailers is the 36" wide entry door.

JodyoD · 12-04-2011, 08:53 PM

I'm a little new to this posting thing, but here goes....
I am a proud owner of a Curtis Wright model 2 (!) in the process of a complete restoration. I have a guzillion pictures of it. It is serial number 5047 and that's the earliest I've seen on this model... I went to the Tin Can Tourist site, but I don't have the $20 to join right now so I can't post my info there. So if anyone wants to contact me, feel free!

(I'm also on facebook)

LHN · 03-17-2013, 01:54 PM

Is this "thread" still active? I just bought what I believe is a 1947 Curtis Wright. It has no "name plate" but the Title says that it is just that. This is my first trailer and its been "gutted" so, I'll be looking for some expert support as I stumble along.
-LHN

cuyeda · 03-18-2013, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LHN

Is this "thread" still active? I just bought what I believe is a 1947 Curtis Wright. It has no "name plate" but the Title says that it is just that. This is my first trailer and its been "gutted" so, I'll be looking for some expert support as I stumble along.
-LHN

Post some photos, and let's see watcha got.

JodyoD · 03-18-2013, 06:35 AM

You could also try Tin Can Tourists page for Curtis Wright owners:
curtis_wright [Tin Can Tourists Wiki]
Lots to look at and the history is right there. I have a model 2, and it's coming along nicely though had to make some modifications to it because it was in such horrible shape...

Melody Ranch · 03-18-2013, 06:38 AM

This is your first trailer....no data plate...gutted....and a 1947 Curtis. Well, You certainly jumped on a bag of worms. I can help with the pictures and walk thru of the 47....but, rest assured, this is a major job. Go at it as a hobby and you may finish.

streamquest · 03-18-2013, 10:36 AM

Glad to see a CW thread coming back to life.

I've got a 28' Curtis that I believe might have been a prototype for a model that I've only seen described in an old print ad (dated January 1949). It could be the basis of what is described in that ad as either a "Flagship", "Cruiser", or "Sleeper". No name tag, but a fading serial number 8180 stamped into the coupling. Pics attached, any info much appreciated.

cuyeda · 03-18-2013, 11:58 PM

Wow! A 28' footer! This is going to be difficult to figure out. I have never seen a 28' referenced before. If it were a prototype, looks like it has some type of ladder frame, rather than the single tube. The length probably dictates the ladder frame, but why wouldn't the Curtis Wright model continue the more stable frame. I could be wrong, but believe Silver Streak continued the pipe frame after 1949 when the design rights were taken over.

I wonder if a previous owner decided to extend the length, and built the new frame for it. Perhaps it was originally serial 8180, and he stamped it on the frame. Just a wild guess.

LHN · 03-19-2013, 10:54 AM

Well, I guess I stirred-up this old thread, so, I should jump back in. Yeah, I'm a novice and can see how I've stepped in a "bag of worms" - "fools rush in". But, I'd like to think that I'm in it for the log haul. However, the Curtis Wright will have to take a back seat to my next project which will be working on my daughter's and son-in-law's home in north county San Diego. The trailer is there (I am not). I'll clean it up enough to sleep in it while we add a bedroom and bathroom to the house then the next project will, hopefully, be the trailer. In the meantime, I'll dream the dreams (nightmares?) of how to put this little darling back together. I don't have photos at this time and I am a techno-dinosaur but will post some as soon as I'm back down there to take them (and can figure out how to do that).
Thanks for the support -
-LHN-

streamquest · 03-20-2013, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuyeda

Wow! A 28' footer! This is going to be difficult to figure out. I have never seen a 28' referenced before. If it were a prototype, looks like it has some type of ladder frame, rather than the single tube. The length probably dictates the ladder frame, but why wouldn't the Curtis Wright model continue the more stable frame. I could be wrong, but believe Silver Streak continued the pipe frame after 1949 when the design rights were taken over.

I wonder if a previous owner decided to extend the length, and built the new frame for it. Perhaps it was originally serial 8180, and he stamped it on the frame. Just a wild guess.

Hi Cliff,

Glad to have caught your attention since you seem to be very active in CW circles.

I'm always hoping to find any new information that would shed light on my trailer's origins, which is why I posted. I've also attached the ad that I previously referenced which describes three CW models that no one has apparently ever seen, the names of which (Flagship, Cruiser, Sleeper) all seem to imply greater size and amenities.

From what info I've been able to gather from the CW registry on Tin Can Tourist, I would place the serial number stamped on my trailer's coupling somewhere toward the mid to latter part of the 1947 Model 5 production run, or very early 1948.

This is about the time that Wally split off to restart Airstream.

In 1947, his "Liners" (with the exception of door and windows) were pretty much identical to CW "Clippers", and the "Wee Wind" was just a shortened version of that.

In 1948, Airstream introduced a model called the "Whirlwind" which also was 28' long with two doors, but with a double axle and a single pipe frame. I've imagined that since he was undoubtedly the creative design force behind everything at CW, that the "Whirlwind" was his follow-up to my "prototype?" that he had put together while still at CW. This is of course pure speculation on my part.

People have suggested that my trailer might have been some sort of combination of two trailers connected end to end, but there is no sign of that being the case. The frames, rivets, and seams are perfectly aligned and matched, and the skins are continuous. Hopefully this spring/summer I'll get around to removing the temporary floor that was installed to transport it, which will reveal the very interesting ladder frame on which it rests.

Thanks for your interest,

Charly

JodyoD · 03-29-2013, 07:11 AM

Thought you might like to see the brochure for the interior of the CW. Isn't this FUN!!!

Melody Ranch · 03-29-2013, 08:53 AM

Ocare2bfree has a link to the trailer your talking about...lots of pictures too. I have some here....http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...0&d=1294537565

streamquest · 03-29-2013, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

Ocare2bfree has a link to the trailer your talking about...lots of pictures too. I have some here....http://www.airforums.com/forums/atta...0&d=1294537565

Melody,

Thanks for the pic, but I don't think its my trailer, unless I just cant see the rear door which would be just in front of the street side bed (assuming we're looking toward the rear of the trailer).

I actually bought the mystery CW from Mike and Tina (aka oh2becarefree). Whenever there's a little interest in CW's on the forum, I like to put up a pic to see if anyone can contribute any info that might help solve the riddle of its origin.

Charly

RollinVntge · 04-03-2015, 02:06 PM

Thought I'd add a few more photos to the thread.

Here is a restored '48 with interior shots: 1948 Curtis Wright

Sure got lucky finding that '48. Hope to see more pictures of your progress!

KrisE MN · 05-20-2015, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JodyoD

I'm a little new to this posting thing, but here goes....
I am a proud owner of a Curtis Wright model 2 (!) in the process of a complete restoration. I have a guzillion pictures of it. It is serial number 5047 and that's the earliest I've seen on this model... I went to the Tin Can Tourist site, but I don't have the $20 to join right now so I can't post my info there. So if anyone wants to contact me, feel free!

(I'm also on facebook)

Just found one locally Model 5 Serial 8072. In bad shape but still alive. He doesn't want to sell, don't ask LOL

cuyeda · 05-20-2015, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrisE MN

Just found one locally Model 5 Serial 8072. In bad shape but still alive. He doesn't want to sell, don't ask LOL

Is it possible to get photos, and one of the serial number tag. I am trying to find as many CW's that are still out there. Nice to have owner's name and contact if he is willing to add to the list.

There are a few CW's listed on the Tincan Tourist manufacturer's page:

curtis_wright [Tin Can Tourists Wiki]

Also, a work in progress more photos of various CW's found in person, from owners, or just on the internet.

Gallery