California Airstream factory location?

[pparfait]

Hi,
Anyone knows what the exact location of the Airstream factory was at Los Angeles Metropolitan Airport (Van Nuys)?
I am planning to visit LA with my Airstream and take it to Van Nuys since it was its birthplace.
Also if anyone knows any part of the story behind the French cyclist Alfred Letourneur pulling the trailer at Van Nuys in 1947 (exact date and model number used) I would be very thankful.
Thanks!
Philippe

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by pparfait

Hi, Anyone knows what the exact location of the Airstream factory was at Los Angeles Metropolitan Airport (Van Nuys)?
I am planning to visit LA with my Airstream and take it to Van Nuys since it was its birthplace. Also if anyone knows any part of the story behind the French cyclist Alfred Letourneur pulling the trailer at Van Nuys in 1947 (exact date and model number used) I would be very thankful.
Thanks!, Philippe

Hi Phillipe:

The Airstream factory at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Airport in Van Nuys, Calif. was in a quonset hut, but I've never seen any information regarding its exact location at the airport. It may have been torn down since 1947.

The trailer towing occurred on May 7, 1947. A nice article on Alfred Letourner, a/k/a Letourneur or Letourneau, appears in the Fall 2007 issue of Airstream Life magazine beginning on page 60. Track down or purchase a back issue to read that informative article.

The exact trailer model likely cannot likely be determined, but it can be narrowed down to a few models by the location of windows along each side (photos exist showing both sides of that trailer being towed). Good luck with your search and enjoy your visit to the airport.

Aero Flite travel trailers were also built at the Van Nuys Municipal Airport. See: http://www.aeroflitetrailers.com/

[bredlo]

I've seen two photos of this event -- one showing his right side with nothing but runway in the background, and one looking at his left side with a one-story warehouse or hangar, and a polished single prop plane in the background.

If you take that photo with you on your phone, perhaps you could find the same building, though I'd imagine there's been lots of development in the intervening years. Plus, good luck even getting onto the tarmac to investigate.

[Edit:] The model shown in the photos seems to be a 22' Liner. If made in 1947, it would have been one of about 90 were built according to VintageAirstream.com.

[Mike1997]

Last week I was in Key West and found an old Airstream in horrible condition. It had an Airstream tag near the door with Jackson Center, OH and Cerritos, CA engraved on it.

After a little research I found an old warranty book with the factory address at 15939 Piuma Ave., Cerritos, CA. Considering someone found the building at 15959, it makes sense Wally would have operated out of multiple buildings at this location just like they do in Jackson Center. Even today they have buildings on both sides of the street at the Ohio location.

[Sovereign25]

Here's another address for you from 1936:

[Air-Jack]

I have a 1955 Bubble with a small plaque on the left hand side of the door that says:
1755 No. Main St.
Los Angeles, California
Jackson Center, Ohio

We've been told by RJ at Vintage Airstream that our Bubble was made in California - I'm guessing at the 1755 No. Main St site. Maybe we''ll take it home someday and get a nice pic!

[Hittenstiehl]

The CA factory has been long closed and the location absorbed under freeways.

[wkerfoot]

Only the Santa Fe Springs location, the Cerritos location still exists.

Bill

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

The CA factory has been long closed and the location absorbed under freeways.

[Hittenstiehl]

We had not been able to find the Santa Fe Springs location.

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by 47WeeWind

The trailer towing occurred on May 7, 1947. A nice article on Alfred Letourner, a/k/a Letourneur or Letourneau, appears in the Fall 2007 issue of Airstream Life magazine beginning on page 60. Track down or purchase a back issue to read that informative article.

Hi Fred,
Where did you come upon the May 7, 1947 date for this stunt? All I have been able to find in old articles is that it occurred in May 1947 with no specific date identified. I'd like to be able to state this date definitively the next time this question is posed to me, if it can be proven.

Interestingly, I have seen in writing (but need to find it again) that Airstream reopened its doors after WWII on May 15, 1947, which would be eight days after this stunt, if both dates are correct.