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CaptainJones · 09-29-2005, 09:35 PM

I am looking for other ownersw of a 51 flying cloud. I just bought one that is really just a shell with all the interior gone. Wanting to correspond with any other owners.

47WeeWind · 09-29-2005, 10:29 PM

Capt'n Jones:

In the meantime, you can peruse some 1951 Airstreams, including a few Flying Clouds, here:

http://www.vintageairstream.com/archives/index.html

1952 & 53 Flying Clouds will be similar, so look at those too. Enjoy!

MarkR · 09-29-2005, 11:34 PM

I own a 51 (and a 53) Flying Cloud, so does "Safari57" and I'm sure others as well.
What is your serial number? My 51 is #7171 and is in need of a lot of work. I found this floor plan on line recently, it's apparently a 51 although it has a "rounded" end and mine does not . . . and most of the ones I've seen don't. I drew my floor plan before gutting it out, so I have that as well if you're interested.
Do you have pictures you can post, I'd love to see them.
Mark

safari57 · 09-30-2005, 07:44 AM

Welcome to the '51 FC fan club. My serial number is 7173 so it would be great to find 7172 to link in with Mark R's 7171.

Pictures of my '51 FC are on the Airstream Vintage website, folder #2 http://www.vintageairstream.com/arch...ud2/index.html

If you need pics/measurements let me know what exactly you need and I can send them.

So you know my FC is not a Safari model, the '57 Pontiac wagon I use to pull it is a Safari. The name confuses a lot of folks.

Barry
Safari57@telus.net or
safariflyingcloud@yahoo.com

MarkR · 09-30-2005, 09:23 AM

Here's a scan from another thread w/the "squared off" end like most of the 51's I've seen. I think the basic difference between the 2 was the frame type. The round ended FC had a Pipe Frame and the other had a "Ladder Frame" . . . not sure if it was a change mid year or a difference between Ohio and California built or some other factor.

I believe there were many floor plan options - basically you were able to choose the options you wanted and they built it. Mine had an original "Wet" bath that I was previously told was not available in 51 and that it had to be a modification later. I spoke to the previous/"original" owner recently (when I found something valuable under one of the beds he became a lot more "accessible" . . .), anyway he said the bath was original . . . and after removing it (carefully) I would say I believe it was.

CaptainJones · 09-30-2005, 10:04 PM

Glad to hear from you guys. My Cloud is 7117. I am thinking of just trying my own interior. Right now I have stripped out the junk that was in it (and I do mean junk). I will try to post some pictures of the way it was when I got it. I am working on removing the layers and layers of paint down to the bare aluminum. I like the look. May keep it that way who knows.

safari57 · 10-04-2005, 08:18 PM

If it's bare inside you might want to consider having it baking soda blasted. Baking soda won't hurt the aluminum, is non corrosive, and will stirp the old paint off right down to a nice shiny aluminum finish. Then you may choose to polish the inside. It's a great look if you can get it.

Barry

robandzoe · 10-04-2005, 08:28 PM

I am trying to get this one. Is it a Flying Cloud? Serial starts with 7xxx. LA trailer, here in central NY.

Rob

RichardT · 10-04-2005, 08:43 PM

looks like a 52 Flying Cloud to me

safari57 · 10-04-2005, 08:45 PM

This sight should give you the info you need

http://vintageairstream.com/archives/index.html

It could be a 50 to 54???? depending on actual S/N and also dates get loused up based on when the dealer sold it how they registered it at time of the sale. My 7173 and Mark's 7171 are '51's but at one point his was thought to be a '52 which was not correct, it's definitely a '51. Does it have a pipe frame?
Barry

CaptainJones · 10-04-2005, 10:01 PM

It is bare now. I am stripping all the paint using a combination of heat gun and chemical stripper. Yes I like the look. I never heard of bakingsoda blasting. Would you use a a regular sand blaster? I am thinking of buying one to sand blast the frame. All the under pan is gone so I have free access to all the steel.

MarkR · 10-04-2005, 11:31 PM

CapJones, any pictures yet? . . . I'm trying to be patient . . . I'll keep trying.

bobandzoe: So far all the 51's I've seen have those kind of windows (shown in the pictures - small alum channel edge) and all the 52's have the operable sash/frame type . . . I'm not an expert though so could be a 52.

safari57 · 10-05-2005, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainJones

It is bare now. I am stripping all the paint using a combination of heat gun and chemical stripper. Yes I like the look. I never heard of bakingsoda blasting. Would you use a a regular sand blaster? I am thinking of buying one to sand blast the frame. All the under pan is gone so I have free access to all the steel.

Baking soda blasting uses special equipment. It sure works and is great on anything you don't want damaged underneath, unlike sand blasting. It actually starts the polishing for you as it leaves a pretty decent shine on the aluminum that then needs to be properly polished. Wow, paint stripper and heat gun - your arms must be getting sore by now.

As with Mark, pictures would be a good thing.
Barry

51cruiser · 10-05-2005, 08:05 PM

hi
I don't have a 51 Flying Cloud but have a 51 Cruiser. Better pictures of it are on the vintageairstream.com site. Safari57 wow yours looks great. The soda blasting that you are talking about is it expensive?

danette

safari57 · 10-05-2005, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51cruiser

hi
I don't have a 51 Flying Cloud but have a 51 Cruiser. Better pictures of it are on the vintageairstream.com site. Safari57 wow yours looks great. The soda blasting that you are talking about is it expensive?

danette

It depends on who does it. You can rent them here, at least, and buy the soda. A friend of mine had the front fenders and several other parts done on a '66 chev and the fellow who does it had to travel quite a ways to get to him, and it was a couple of hundred dollars. You should ask around and phone the rental shops. It may also be found under media blasting as sometimes they use walnut shells, pieces of chopped up plastic, etc. So far my experience has been with something as maleable as aluminum I'm unwilling to use anything but water or soda to blast it. Hope that helps.
I'll go take a look at that Cruiser. In our local paper tonight there's a '52 - 30 ft, needs interior done, no price. It's neat that trailers almost 60 years old are still out there, for sale, and being rebuilt and used. It sure says something for the quality of them and the lasting impression they have made on us. Barry

CaptainJones · 10-06-2005, 04:58 PM

Mark, I posted a few on this web of what it looked like before I started ripping in. The interior is completely gutted now. I have taken no pictures yet but will soon. I started a personal web to document progress, but have not uploaded it. I have come out of my 2 year retirement to substitute teach just to pay for this new hobby and they are working me too much.
Greg aka captainJones

CaptainJones · 10-06-2005, 05:05 PM

Is yours 6075 or 6078? Both look sweet.

safari57 · 10-06-2005, 08:23 PM

I like the look of the cruiser. They have just a bit more room in them for longer trips that make them a tad more liveable. Very nice unit Danette.

What do you tow it with? I see you also live in a beautiful part of the country. I used to live in Southern Alberta and was down your way from time to time. We now live in Vancouver, BC.

Barry

CaptainJones · 10-12-2005, 07:55 PM

Here are a couple of pictures of my Cloud as found before I started work.

safari57 · 10-12-2005, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainJones

Here are a couple of pictures of my Cloud as found before I started work.

Love it. What a nice "find". I was fortunate that mine had already been partly restored. I didn't like what was done so redid much of it, but it meant I was dealing with an already reasonably solid unit. I redid cupboards, did the hardwood floor, built the bathroom and back beds, new table, put gray and black waste system in, installed a power converter, did the wood blinds and a ton of small things like installing a hidden A/C unit and microwave. I'd looked at quite a few that needed more, and I have a '58 Silver Streak that's really nice outside but I've gutted the inside (was moused out). So I had a solid floor to work with and the basics in place. It looks as though yours is much the same as mine when I got it. It took me four months of weekends and evenings to get it to the stage where we felt comfortable taking it out. You will find that it can get almost embarrassing when you stop for gas or to camp with the number of people who want to ask about it and take a look inside. We learned after the first stop that the number of people who admire and want an older Airstream far surpasses the quantity available.

I'll be watching for in progress pics and if you need anything like dimensions etc. don't hesitate to let me know. I try to check the forum every couple of days when I'm on the road for work.
Barry