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Uberlanders · 04-13-2006, 09:02 PM

Has anyone seen the set of plans that Wally published in a 1935 Popular Mechanics magazine for a travel trailer? Can you still get them? Just curious.

**Stefrobrts** · 04-13-2006, 10:02 PM

I'd sure like to see them if anyone had them.

SilverToy · 04-13-2006, 11:43 PM

I also would LOVE to have a set/ copy of those plans!

Next project??? I think so....

Put me on the list.... if there is one!

Will kick in $ if need be.

Axel

clancy_boy · 04-14-2006, 03:46 AM

I have found that most local public libraries can get high quaility digital reprints of past issues for popular mags. I have made requests for and received a few reprints (for a very small fee) for back issues of many home improvement magizines. The Kiln Library is not the biggest and holding onto back issues is not a real option, I think this is a subscription service for public libraries. They may not do fold outs or oversize pages that are inserted into magizines like National Geographic maps. So, if these were real prints in a larger format they may not have it. Worth a try, you have gotten me interested in this now. I'll be home in 2 weeks, I can check then if none of you do.

Shacksman · 04-14-2006, 08:00 AM

Check out May 1935 Popular Mechanics page 141a. There is the original add for Airstream. They never printed the plans, you sent in 25c for a book of plans. Then you piad for the plan you wanted. I'd like to see the book of plans.
The only known set is in Dr. Holmans trailer and he won't give up a copy, I've tried.
Doug

InsideOut · 04-14-2006, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shacksman

The only known set is in Dr. Holmans trailer and he won't give up a copy, I've tried.
Doug

I think we've all tried!

Maybe someday another set will turn up...

Shari

tin sista · 04-14-2006, 08:38 AM

Interesting search. Don't lose hope.

Its discouraging when others won't share rare materials or allow for copies when appropriate. Perhaps there are copies in other places? Wally's heirs/estate?
I wonder if a museum or library (Library of Congress) would have the plans?
Or if someone at the factory would have them/know where they would be?
Or maybe some vintage experts from the WBCCI?

Good luck!

Tom Nugler · 04-14-2006, 11:54 AM

With all the photos of Dr. Holman's Torpedo, and the advances in CAD drafting and dimensional photo scaling, I wonder if anyone would be able to produce a set of workable plans?
Model railroaders have worked from photos for years to make reasonable representations of buildings, locos cars, etc.
In the world of MS Fight Sim and Train Sim there are add ons to make new virtual trains and airplaines to run in the sims. Overlay a grid over a photo, set the grid size to a known dimension and off you go. I can tell you that working in wood and metal is much easier for me than in virtual space.
Anyone up to the challange? Is there any annoying Airstream copyright to consider?
I'd also be willing to kick in a few bucks for a set of drawings.
Tom.

Uberlanders · 04-15-2006, 05:42 PM

It is amazing to me that in this day and age there is no other copy of these plans besides the one that Dr. Holman owns.

But the CAD idea is one to think about. Maybe its a job for one of our Advanced CAD students at school. Here is a photo kid, make me some plans, and we will all be rich....ah ah ah ah (evil count dracula laugh).

Seriously, there has to be another copy out there somewhere......

bredlo · 04-15-2006, 05:50 PM

Pretty silly of Doc Holman (or his son, now that Sr. is gone) not sharing the plans. I mean, there's no real threat of these things exactly glutting the market.

I mean, it's neat, the whole "Version 1" angle, but I doubt more than 4 or 5 people would actually follow through and build one when the production models are superior in every way.

It's funny when people think they have something much more valuable than it really is. The Holman trailer is neat - but not "top secret" neat.

InsideOut · 04-15-2006, 05:53 PM

I work with CAD all day long. It wouldn't be that hard to draw plans of a Torpedo-like trailer up, but they wouldn't be Wally's plans either. They would be an interpretation of a Torpedo-like trailer. I think what everybody wants is to see WALLY'S PLANS & Specs, not a guess of what they might be. At least that's what I'd be interested in ~ you can buy tear-drop plans all day long from many sources.

It's a vintage thing...not a new version of a vintage thing IMO.

Shari

bredlo · 04-15-2006, 06:07 PM

Depending on how vague the original plans were, there may have been quite a bit of interpreting required from the get go!

You're right though, Shari. You could get awfully close, but it wouldn't be a trailer from $5 plans. Well... unless you sold them for five bucks apiece.

InsideOut · 04-15-2006, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bredlo

Depending on how vague the original plans were, there may have been quite a bit of interpreting required from the get go!

True...

Shari

SilverToy · 04-15-2006, 10:08 PM

Shari etal -

I would think, that given these plans were to be for a home / owner built trailer, that there would be more than a LOT of sorta / kinda, "if you have/ want it", ie 'fudge factor', in the plans....

I mean to say, that there would likely be 'set' locations for water/ heat (if equiped) and so forth. These could be gleaned from photos. If the dimensions are reasonably accurate (sounds like CAD can DO that) then there is really not a lot that wouldn't be known.

We all have an understanding of the way these trailers were designed early on ( Torpedo time frame) and could reasonably extrapolate....

I understand, that the 'extrapolation' part would likely throw a few purists. Probably 'ruin' any resale value too!!

What am I saying? Heck, if someone can create a reasonable, fact/ photo derived plan that takes the limited variables into account....

I'll buy one!!!

I've spent more on less!!!

Am I all wet here?

Axel

uwe · 04-15-2006, 10:59 PM

I ran across these recently. Trailer plans are still alive and well!

http://glen-l.com/campers/glenlrv.html

InsideOut · 04-15-2006, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverToy

<snip> sounds like CAD can DO that <snip>

Most CAD programs (which stands for Computer Aided Drafting), are just that, drafting aids...they don't "do" anything the operator doesn't tell them to. They are just today's paper & pencil.

I agree, the early plans were just schematic, I've seen enough of Doc Holman's to know that they were not fully detailed. I do believe that Wally would supply some of the parts for extra $$$ if you wanted, however most of the "parts" in early trailers were simple home or auto parts that were readily available.

Shari

SilverToy · 04-15-2006, 11:45 PM

Shari -

Thanks for the reply. So where does the 'Wally' mistique find a foot hold here? Is it simply that he 'designed' an overall plan that might or might not be utilized? Does a 'wally provided parts' trailer (IF it exists) add anything to the equation?

My thinking is that the 'idea' he had is "where the nugget is". A $5 plan for an owner built TT - regardless of the "correctness" of the implementation.

I mean, if someone could say, "This trailer was built from the original WB plans...", THAT is saying something neat. Regardless if that trailer, and the next owner built 'WB plan' looks exactly like it or not.

Am I missing something here?

Axel

InsideOut · 04-16-2006, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverToy

Am I missing something here?

I think it's a "vintage mindset" ~ no explaining it, if you have it, you know.

Shari

SilverToy · 04-16-2006, 12:24 AM

Touche Shari!

Axel

silverhawk · 04-16-2006, 08:24 AM

I recently found a three part set of plans in the March, April, and May 1947 issues of Popular Mechanics. They were written by Hi Sibley. The trailer appears to be just shy of 20ft. This may help anyone searching the library.
Bob