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03-30-2015, 01:05 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
2015 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Aston
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 74
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Airstream / B-17 "Nose Art"
As a kid growing up, I had always been fascinated by the B-17 Bomber from WWII. I probably made about a dozen models and watched every movie and documentary about them.
Later in life, I began my skydiving career, which only furthered my appreciation for aircraft. By far, my most memorable skydive to date was when I had the opportunity to actually skydive out of the bomb bay doors of an actual B-17 bomber departing from an airshow. Just taxing and flying in one was a dream come true, let alone getting to straddle the bomb bay doors as they slowly opened up below me to expose the airport. Then I was able to exit on my back and look back up at the aircraft flying off in the distance. Surreal to say the least.
That brings me to last September when I went to the RV show in Hershey, PA. I had already planned on taking a year off of work and traveling the country visiting friends, skydiving, and BASE jumping. I had already picked out (3) models of 5th wheel RV's that would be perfect for a yearlong adventure. The show was the opportunity to compare the (3). At the show, I happened by the Airstream section first and wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I probably spent an hour in the 27' EB Airstream, thoroughly inspecting it. I went on to find all the other models of 5th wheels that I deemed perfect for my needs... and after visiting all of them, I was sold on the Airstream. Perhaps its the aircraft styled aluminum riveted skin, aircraft type door, or the nostalgia of it, but I ended up putting the down payment on a 27' FB EB that day.
Now I'm about 2 weeks from leaving. Late one happy hour, with an associate who has an artist for a daughter, somehow the idea came up to put nose art on the Airstream in the same manner as the old WWII bombers. The "squirrel" nickname goes way back... more akin to a flying squirrel (yes, I jump one of those squirrel suits). I'll be turning 42, and most of the BASE jumping crowd is in their 20's, so I'm typically the 'old veteran' of the group with all the war wounds. I asked Sarah to paint an image of a bad-ass looking, old battle tested looking squirrel with some scars... attached is what she came up with.
I rarely see mods like this, so I'm not sure if this is frowned upon or not. From a re-sale perspective (if I ever sell) its fully contained on the stainless stone guard, so easily replaceable. If nothing else, I'll be able to pick out my airstream quite easily from a distance...
p.s. - I'm the one in the tye-dye shirt in the group photo and those are my feet in the photo looking down out the bomb bay doors... 
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03-30-2015, 01:35 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
1982 31' Airstream 310
champaign
, Illinois
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,072
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Love nose art. Check out my B-17 avatar, ALUMINUM OVERCAST. Got to take a peak at this plane at a local airport in my home town. The squirrel is coooool
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03-30-2015, 01:49 PM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member 
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 231
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Airstream interiors remind Doug and I of the Navy aircraft we worked on and flew in during our Navy careers, not to mention the riveted aluminum. Your design fits well with the concept and looks terrific.
cheryl
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03-30-2015, 02:00 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,668
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The third pic....is that Squirrel Cage floor rot?????? At 20k?
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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03-30-2015, 02:10 PM
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#5
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Site Team
2007 30' Classic S/O
Somewhere
, South Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,436
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Way cool. But still wondering about why leave a perfectly good flying airplane! I'd rather stay and listen to the big radials.
__________________
S/OS #001 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 6 Speed
16" Michelins, Hi Spec Wheels, Max Brake, Dexter 4 Piston Disc Brakes, Carslile Actuator, Equal-I-Zer, Dill TPMS. Campfire cook. BMV-712. DEMCO 21K Lb Cast Iron coupler
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03-30-2015, 02:26 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,668
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Still the best engines I ever heard was a Lancaster coming in for a landing at the Duxford air show in England. I was 15 and it was a pivotal moment in the development of my love for raw machinery. There was a B17 at that show as well, which I got to tour.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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03-30-2015, 03:46 PM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
2011 31' Classic
Albemarle
, North Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 20
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B-17 Nose Art
Rather than have one painted, do a Google search and look for WWII art. I'm Retired Air Force and I have a picture of an eagle that states "Freedom isn't Free" on one side of my TT and the American Flag on the other. You can get these in many sizes and they come either in magnetic or peel and stick. A lot cheaper with the same effect.
Enjoy your Travels 
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03-30-2015, 04:46 PM
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#8
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Moderator
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,255
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Whoa, I didn't realize most of the nose art was NSFW!
__________________
Stephanie
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03-30-2015, 04:48 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2002 31' Classic
Currently Looking...
Monroe
, Iowa
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 649
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I, too am a fan of the WWII bomber nose art. I think what you have is so cool. 
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03-30-2015, 08:18 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
2002 27' Safari
Porterdale
, Georgia
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 44
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EXCELLENT!!! Envious!!!!
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03-30-2015, 09:15 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2011 25' FB Flying Cloud
Peculiar
, Missouri
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 531
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We had the following made as a matching pair about 3 years ago:
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03-30-2015, 09:36 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
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so.....whats new?
It sounds good to me.
__________________
"If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted
then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production."
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03-30-2015, 10:36 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1964 22' Safari
modesto
, California
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,097
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Base729,
Nice job on the "squirrel cage". Love the nose art!
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03-31-2015, 12:35 PM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
1978 31' Excella 500
Huntington Beach
, California
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 27
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Just Love the idea!
Remember to "Keep the Shiny Side Up" when parking!
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03-31-2015, 12:47 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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Better watch out or the PC Police will catch you.
Kelvin
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03-31-2015, 01:17 PM
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#16
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E Pluribus Aluminus
2008 34' Classic S/O
1967 22' Safari
2005 30' Classic
Land Of Enchantment
, New Mexico
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BASE729
I rarely see mods like this, so I'm not sure if this is frowned upon or not. From a re-sale perspective (if I ever sell) its fully contained on the stainless stone guard, so easily replaceable. If nothing else, I'll be able to pick out my airstream quite easily from a distance...
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Certainly won’thave a problem finding your trailer at a rally! Besides, Airstreamers often go nuts over their trailers... 
Nicely done and adds to the allure. Re-sale should not be a problem at all.
.
.
__________________
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Jaxon
WBCCI 7005 * AIR 9218
The trouble with trouble is it always starts out as fun...
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03-31-2015, 01:41 PM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
1972 23' Safari
Arlington
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 44
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Lydia, the tattooed lady.
I love nose art and pin-ups and my dream was to 'tattoo" a vintage Airstream. We took Lydia and Groucho (Ford 150) out to Burning Man last year. All done by me with airbrush, and brush and stencil.
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03-31-2015, 01:44 PM
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#18
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The Sign Lady
1969 23' Safari
1974 Argosy 22
1964 24' Tradewind
Victoria
, British Columbia
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 677
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I haven't done any nose are on my own trailers yet but I did do my buddy's vintage kin (a 1953 I think) Boles Aero. I had to replicate the Boles Aero logo based on the faded to invisible original logo that had left a slight impression in the aluminium but it turned out pretty darn good.
BOLES AERO.pdf
Side note...if anyone else needs Boles Aero decals I can help
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03-31-2015, 03:12 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
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Here are some older ones
__________________
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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03-31-2015, 03:15 PM
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#20
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Moderator
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,255
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PaintedWagon
I love nose art and pin-ups and my dream was to 'tattoo" a vintage Airstream. We took Lydia and Groucho (Ford 150) out to Burning Man last year. All done by me with airbrush, and brush and stencil.
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I love it! Now you've got me thinking about what kind of design I could have made in vinyl to cover the place where the 'ghost numbers' are on my trailer.
__________________
Stephanie
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