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12-16-2003, 06:36 AM
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#1
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Airstream Factory Tour
Here are a few of the near 100 photos we took while in Jackson Center yesterday! We met several folks from the company yesterday. Many thanks to all who met, talked with us, took us on the tour, etc. Visiting Jackson Center to an Airstreamer was like going to Mecca for a Muslim!
The town of Jackson Center as well as the surrounding communities are very beautiful, quiet and friendly. I think it's the only area in the world where folks were not staring at the Airstreams as the are as common as air around the area! 
Enjoy!
Update....for those who would like to see all the photos, I've since added them to one of my websites....if interested, point your favorite browser to:
www.silvertwinkie.org
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12-16-2003, 06:38 AM
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#2
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Airstream=Quality/Over time!
Posted all over the factory!
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12-16-2003, 06:39 AM
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#3
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Near the main enterance of the factory.
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12-16-2003, 06:44 AM
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#4
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Here is a festive shot of the woodworking area.
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12-16-2003, 06:45 AM
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#5
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Step up to the Bambi bar folks...complete with Airstream tap head (next picture)...I want one for Christmas (once I get a basement)!
Anyone want one while I'm back here?
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12-16-2003, 06:46 AM
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#6
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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The Airstream tap head....did I mention I want one of these too! 
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12-16-2003, 06:48 AM
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#7
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Dinette seats waiting for fabrics....
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12-16-2003, 06:50 AM
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#8
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Here is what your Airstream looks like in the near start of the process.....these are the outer (I believe) sheets from Alcoa.
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12-16-2003, 06:52 AM
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#9
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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This is the the machine (I believe) that punches some of the rivet holes for the outer skins....I always wondered how the people riveted in such straight lines....truth be told...they have a little help!
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12-16-2003, 06:55 AM
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#10
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Here are two employees taking the raw materials you just viewed (after having rivet holes punched by that machine) and putting the upper and lower sections of the skin together.
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12-16-2003, 06:55 AM
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#11
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Here is a completed panel.....
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12-16-2003, 06:56 AM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 240
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We're (Boltos and I) are taking his 1970 Safari up tomorrow for some work. We were wondering if a tour would be possible. Did you have to arrange it in advance?
Also, is there some sort of parts store there?
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12-16-2003, 06:56 AM
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#13
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Here is the fabric area.....
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12-16-2003, 06:57 AM
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#14
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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...and the some of the fabrics used. We found rolls of Spellbound among the line of offered fabrics.
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12-16-2003, 07:00 AM
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#15
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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I almost forgot...here was a pickup truck bringing over some of the internal ribs.. I think Don told us that Airstream bends some of the ribs (if not all) themselves. Either way, here is the picture of the ribs...and as for tours, they start at 2pm Eastern time Monday through Friday.
Eric
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12-16-2003, 07:01 AM
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#16
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Here is a picture of a Safari shell being made ready for transport to it's new home!
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12-16-2003, 07:03 AM
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#17
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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AIRBORNE!
This is a picture of that same shell you just looked at above being lowerd onto a chassis.
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12-16-2003, 07:05 AM
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#18
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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The next few shots are of the slide out module construction. These units are made of fiberglass and are some of the strongest slideouts in the industry according to Don Ambose the tour guide and frankly, I can see why!
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12-16-2003, 07:06 AM
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#19
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Slideout construction pic#2
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12-16-2003, 07:07 AM
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#20
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Slideout construction #3
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