Belly Pan Explanation

[roadtrip07]

I'm trying to figure out exactly what's going on in this belly pan replacement:
1956 Flying Cloud - Belly Skin
but I'm not sure I'm quite understanding it.

So in the first picture, the description is: "I removed the skin starting 1 foot in from all around the edge - this gave me a place to attach the new skin."
That makes sense to me, I think. Also, what tool is that being used to cut the aluminum? Then, in that second picture, the caption is "In front between the tongue frame, I formed a piece that went up under the front skin much like Airstream did all the way around and then formed it tight to the frame, eliminating the original gaps that allowed much of the dust and rocks to get inside.". What happened to that original 1 foot perimeter of old belly skin that was used as a place to attach the new skin? is it directly under that? I'm a newbie faced with belly skin replacement, I'm just trying to understand what to do. thanks!

[Journalist]

The tool is a set of air powered shears. Cheap ones available at Harbor Freight: Pistol Grip Air Shears
As for what they attached the belly pan to, it appears they removed everything all the way out to the wall skin and started from scratch. I don't see anything they left. Looks to me like the new pan is formed and riveted to the wall skin just like the original was.

[mbrod666]

In picture number two you can see on the right side the 1' perimeter that was left on. The shiny aluminum is a new peice formed in between the main frame rails going to the hitch.

[stevedahl]

Hi; I'm working on a similar project, does anyone have a good sorce to buy the aluminum in a roll other than from Airstream at $4.30 a sqft?

Thanks

[Wabbiteer]

2024 T3 Alclad Aluminum Coil and sheet, rolled aircraft aluminum (website needs internet explorer)

But you don't want to use 2024 on the belly pan, there are cheaper aluminum alloy sheets to use.