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streamer23 · 07-18-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

So is the India Caravan part of the 'Round the World' Caravan? I guess I need to learn more about caravan history - I think it's fascinating!

Yes Stef,check post#11 of this thread.

Overlander & Sea · 07-18-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redstart

There is a picture of a bunkhouse being lifted by crane onto (or off of) a ship in Calcutta India, in Bryan Burkhart's book, The History of the Airstream, page 107.

You can view it by going to Google Book Search and typing in the search terms: airstream calcutta

I will try to post the link, hope it works
Airstream: The History of the Land Yacht - Google Book Search

By the way, this thread is TOTALLY COOL!!!!!

Yes, this is a totally cool thread!!
The WBCCI# on the bunkhouse in this picture looks like 8511. Is this a picture of the same caravan? If it is, has anyone checked this number out?

streamer23 · 07-18-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overlander & Sea

Yes, this is a totally cool thread!!
The WBCCI# on the bunkhouse in this picture looks like 8511. Is this a picture of the same caravan? If it is, has anyone checked this number out?

WBCCI#8511 was also a participant on the Around the World Caravan.It was a couple from Miami FL.

flyfshr · 07-18-2008, 03:34 PM

The trailer with the number 8511 is sitting on the ground but the bunkhouse model is in the air and is viewed from the side, can't see any of the numbers. I will say the windows look right as well as the bathroom fan location. The propane tanks look to be much lower than usual if that's what I'm seeing. The area of the tongue in the picture is blocked out by the trailer in the foreground. Additionally, the roof was painted white in this picture and whatever is over the center vent is longer than usual. The one in the Airstream book has an outside battery box under the front window. Is there any signs of one that has been removed from yours? If so, I'd say we're really getting close to a definitive answer. I'll go back and look at Lumatic's pictures again and compare.

I love a good mystery.

Brad
FF

On edit: The scare light on the streetside matches the one on the Burkhart book photo on page 107.

till · 07-18-2008, 04:07 PM

You can even see the spare tire mounts on the rear bumper...

under edit; There is also a blemish on the lower rear panel that matches....

flyfshr · 07-18-2008, 04:14 PM

There is also a wheelwell patch over both wheels on the streetside in both photos. No doubt to change out the many flats while on the caravan. Along with Till's identification of the spare tire mounts, I'd say this is the very one. Oh if these walls could talk. Get's my vote.

Brad
FF

**Stefrobrts** · 07-18-2008, 04:34 PM

As if finding a picture of your trailer on a historic caravan isn't cool enough, finding a picture of it being hoisted by crane onto a ship is over the top! I hope that's it!

Lumatic · 07-18-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfshr

The one in the Airstream book has an outside battery box under the front window. Is there any signs of one that has been removed from yours?

There is no battery box on mine in the front of the trailer, nor any sign of one that was removed. On mine there are 2 external tractor type battery boxes on the rear level with the double spare tire carrier. The spare tire carrier looks like it could be the same. There is no AC on the flying bunkhouse one on page 107. Mine is an old Dometic very square almost a cube.

On 8511 the tounge does not show the modifications, there is no window rock guard, the antenna mount is on the wrong side and there is no fresh water fill pipe

I just noticed under more white paint there is one of those oval international badges. This one appears to say USA, although I have not stripped it yet.

Are we having fun yet?

If anyone wants to see more detail pics just let me know what and I'll post them.

Lumatic · 07-18-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by till

There is also a blemish on the lower rear panel that matches....

Where specifically is this blemish? I can put up a detail pic.

Lumatic · 07-18-2008, 05:25 PM

Picure this:

I'm standing on the tounge with paint stipper, paint brush and plastic putty knife in a New Mexico thunderstorm. This is why.............

Lumatic · 07-18-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streamer23

My 1968 WBCCI Directory lists that number (6472) to paul & Thelma Ross of Seal Beach CA.

Any middle initials would help

streamer23 · 07-18-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumatic

Any middle initials would help

There are no initials listed but I will pm you a little more info.

flyfshr · 07-18-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumatic

I just noticed under more white paint there is one of those oval international badges. This one appears to say USA, although I have not stripped it yet.

I would like to see a picture of this emblem if you can get one to come out. You can wait until the thunderstorm is over though.

Brad
FF

Lumatic · 07-18-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfshr

I would like to see a picture of this emblem if you can get one to come out. You can wait until the thunderstorm is over though.

Brad
FF

This one is not going to survive the stripping very well but the curves in the letters suggest USA

flyfshr · 07-18-2008, 06:08 PM

Sorry, I just can't make out any of the letters on this one. Plus, its in an odd place next to the license plate.

Brad
FF

Lumatic · 07-18-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfshr

Sorry, I just can't make out any of the letters on this one. Plus, its in an odd place next to the license plate.

Brad
FF

I guess you had to be there. It's like Find Waldo

Lumatic · 07-18-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by streamer23

My 1968 WBCCI Directory lists that number (6472) to paul & Thelma Ross of Seal Beach CA.

Seal Beach is right next to Long Beach. The people I got it from said they got it in Long Beach. There is one Ross listed by Dexknows in Long Beach. Not surprisingly his name is not Paul or Thelma. Guessing that Paul or Thelma would have been in their 40s if not 50s in 1963 that would make them in their 80s or 90s now. I left a message for this Ross dude. Let's see if he calls back.

Sugarfoot · 07-18-2008, 06:38 PM

You know, that oval plate next to the license tag makes sense to me. Especially if it says "USA". I can see the shadow of an S there, but can't make out the rest.

Growing up near Port Everglades, I remember in the 60's some autos had an oval tag, usually on the rear near the license, that designated the country of origin if it was privately owned and had been shipped overseas or to the US. My uncle's shipped Mercedes had one designating Germany (don't remember the exact letters) when he moved back to the states.

till · 07-18-2008, 07:34 PM

In the photo of the flying bunk house there looks like a blemish or is it a reflector below the bathroom vent. In your photo of the rear 3/4 view the paint is gone and maybe a dent? Anyway they are in what appears to be the same spot to me.