Airstream sightings

[Emmitt G]

Foley, Al. On the camp ground down county road 28, been here about a month

[Nelson428]

I came across this article and thought i would share in case you may not have seen it. I think we as Airstreamers already knew these facts:

12 Things You Didn’t Know About Airstream Trailers (They Weren't Always Silver!)

1. They didn’t always boast the iconic design
The original Airstreams were teardrop shaped and two-toned. Their creator, Wallace (Wally) Merle Byam, thought making colored Airstreams to match the popular pastel cars of the ’50s would be a good idea. He later reconsidered and opted instead for the now famous silver.
2. The Airstream is like a second White House
A number of U.S. Presidents and their families have spent time in them. Not only did JFK use an Airstream as a mobile office while previewing new army weaponry in White Sands, New Mexico, but First Lady Laura Bush rocked her own private trailer while visiting troops in Afghanistan in 2008. Vice Presidents Dick Cheney and Joe Biden have also toured around in the classic camper.
3. Early Airstream models were DIY, and made out of wood
Original models of the Airstream were built of Masonite, a type of hardboard made of pressed-wood fibers. Not only that, but they were sold as wood-and-canvas kits, with model names like Model 2 and Silver Cloud, in the back of magazines. It wasn’t until the arrival of the Airstream Clipper in 1936 that we got the first bullet-shaped trailer made out of aluminum.
4. And there were no bathrooms inside
Despite coming up with the design to appease his wife’s complaints about camping without a kitchen or bed, original owners still had to rough it with a “thunder mug” — aka, a bedpan. Today, trailers come with all the comforts of home, including a wet bath.
5. There was a square Airstream
The famous cruiser has a lot of nicknames, including Silver Bullet and Toaster-on-Wheels, most of which tip their hats to its seminal shape. Wanting to mix things up a bit in the mid-’80s (and who didn’t really?), the company added a new design to its line: a square-shaped trailer. From 1986 to 1991 the “Squarestream” hit the roads, drawing the ire of many fans/enthusiasts who went so far as to ban the new model from the Wally Byam Caravan Club.
6. They have a huge celebrity following
Matthew McConaughey may be the most outspoken about his love for the Airstream (living in one for years before buying a house), but other celebrities have enjoyed a good ride or two as well. Johnny Depp, Adrien Brody, Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Lenny Kravitz, and Sean Penn are all, reportedly, fans. And even Hugh Hefner gifted an all-white one to Pamela Anderson (dubbed the “Lovestream”) that came equipped with mirrored ceilings, white shag carpeting, a circular vibrating bed, and stripper pole. Naturally.
7. Wally wasn’t the first to come up with the design
Airstream may have become the most popular trailer company of its time, but it didn’t create the unique design. William Hawley Bowlus, a veteran designer who had previously worked on Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis airplane, was the first to use that streamlined shape on an RV. Applying his background in airplane design, he created a silver trailer called the Bowlus Road Chief. His company went under in 1935, however, just as the Airstream was gaining in popularity.
. Although the AIrstream’s original competitor is making a comeback
Wally may have bested William Hawley Bowlus in the 1930s, but fans of the Road Chief are attempting to bring it back. Only 80 were built before the company went under, but a Canadian couple has recently revived the Bowlus, adding modern amenities like Wi-Fi and solar paneling.
9. There are eight Airstreams buried nose down in the ground
After years of legal battles citing it as a visual nuisance, the Airstream Ranch still stands strong on I-4 about 15 miles outside Tampa, Florida; 10,000 people signed a petition to save it in 2012. Frank and Dorothy Bates originally installed the shiny row of silver RVs in 2007 as an art exhibit to draw in tourists from all over the world.
10. They’re actually pretty light
Towing an Airstream trailer is not nearly as difficult as many people think. In fact, one of Wally’s primary design goals was for it to be lightweight. To prove the point, the company staged a publicity photo in the 1940’s in which a cyclist pulled the trailer with his bike.
image
11. There are Airstream hotels
With such a loyal following, it was only natural that hotels would pop up around the world featuring Airstreams. The Granddaddy Hotel in South Africa used a crane to create a rooftop trailer park, while the BelRepayre Airstream and Retro Trailer Park in France rocks an Airstream bar dubbed the Apollo Lounge. Of course, there are plenty of Airstream-themed hotels scattered across the US as well (Kate’s Lazy Desert, Santa Barbara Autocamp, etc.), not to mention trailer parks, campsites, and B&Bs.
12. NASA nicknamed them the Astrovan
Sure they look futuristic, but who knew that actual astronauts made use of the spacey motor home. When Neil, Buzz, and Michael first returned from the moon, they headed straight to a modified Airstream. Nicknamed the Astrovan, Airstreams were also used by NASA to bring astronauts to the launchpad. Richard Nixon even interviewed the crew of Apollo 11 in one, as they were quarantined inside until being cleared of potentially hazardous moon particles.


J. Nelson
TAC # MS-12
WBCCI # 5314
AirForums # 66116
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[terryV]

Good job J. Nelson, I was just about to post that one, myself. There are some interesting pics in that article, tho. Can we get those?

[Nelson428]

Let's see if I can


J. Nelson
WBCCI # 5314
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[Nelson428]

Here are the ones I could snag.


J. Nelson
WBCCI # 5314
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[Airlovr]

Thanks for sharing.


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[whitsend]

Nelson - Really enjoyed the article and photos. Thanks for sharing both.

[Remax gal]

Very interesting! Thanks so much Nelson!! Are you and your parents enjoying the new Classic?


Laura & Tom

[tvketchum]

East of Tallahassee, FL, a westbound Bambi behind a green Toyota pick up flashed us as we headed east on I 10, about 3 or so in the afternoon. Headed to Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center SP, where we set up an d enjoyed a delightful campfire dinner.


Tom
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[Nelson428]

Remax Gal,
Yes they are very nice, I was a bit skeptical when I placed the order since I had never seen one of the redesigned Classics. However, they are nice and I am very pleased. I'm a huge fan of Hickory in the units that have it, but, i also love the Cherry. If I had to make a choice between the two, I'm not sure which one I would choose, both are beautifully executed.


J. Nelson
WBCCI # 5314
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[Nelson428]

Originally Posted by whitsend

Nelson - Really enjoyed the article and photos. Thanks for sharing both.

Looks like things are headed South in the energy business, I know you are glad you are not faced with this cycle anymore.


J. Nelson
WBCCI # 5314
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[mgriffrus]

We're here at Buccaneer state park outside Gulfport, MS and there are five of us in this loop. That's the most I have ever seen outside a rally in one place.

We spent the night in Natchez State Park on Friday night and there was another airstream in that loop as well.

Top that off with four sighted on the highways this weekend and it looks to be a good season for Airstreaming this year!

[jakes_mama]

Well I knew it was a matter of time. (Insert my teenage son's eyeroll here) I did my first drive-by (Holy cow! Look at that!) drop-in on what looked like a 1957 "Custom" 18' AS in its owner's driveway yesterday! What a cute little thing. I'll try to get a pic next time. Owner let me take a look as he's starting the rejuvenating process. It's going to be one very nice trailer when he's done with it.

[Horsey5]

My new airstream on test drive and overnight at the rv park. Lots of learning going on and some fun!

[Horsey5]

I don't know why my picture didn't post???

[dannydimitt]

Originally Posted by Horsey5

I don't know why my picture didn't post???

Don't feel like the lone Ranger on that one !

[Horsey5]

Trying again to post photo

[Rocinante]

Looking sharp!

[Remax gal]

Looks great! Have FUN!!


Laura & Tom

[Airlovr]

Congratulations!!!


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