One more '47 Liner in the club. Production number question

[Sprouty]

I just purchased a 1947 Liner and thought I should post in here. Its model number 47111 serial number 1077. I have been told and also did some research the indicated it was one of the first post war liners built. I don't completely understand how the numbering sequence works. Here is a picture of the tag. If it was one of the first ones why is the serial number so high? I have read and been told the tag that has "Airstream built by Wallace M.B." makes it of the first two dozen made.

[Melody Ranch]

THAT is NICE.

[mistral blue]

1947 Liner 22' - Vintage Airstream
47111 tells me it was built in November, 1947.
47 equals 1947. The next two numbers (11) = Nov.
1 = The 1st one built in Nov?

[Minno]

Kool! What does the original "stove" look like opened up? A shot of the undercarriage would be interesting too, as we know these had a different type of frame....

Kay and Chris

[Sprouty]

I don't know if that stove is original or not. I will be taking a bunch more pictures when I get it home to share with everyone.

[Sprouty]

Originally Posted by mistral blue

1947 Liner 22' - Vintage Airstream
47111 tells me it was built in November, 1947.
47 equals 1947. The next two numbers (11) = Nov.
1 = The 1st one built in Nov?

I understand that part what I was wondering about was since mine was the 77th one built does that mean the 77th airstream built in 47 including all models? I read that only about 24 liners were built at the location mine was built so it must be the 77th Airstream not the 77th liner right?

[TinLoaf]

Oldtrucksrul has a beautiful 47 Liner. Here's a photo I took of his original tag.

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by Sprouty

I understand that part what I was wondering about was since mine was the 77th one built does that mean the 77th airstream built in 47 including all models? I read that only about 24 liners were built at the location mine was built so it must be the 77th Airstream not the 77th liner right?

Hi Sprouty:

Congratulations on acquiring your nice 1947 22' Liner s/n 1077.

The 22' Liners had serial numbers beginning at 1001, so your is the 77th 22' Liner built. But it is not necessarily the 77th Airstream built in 1947. One or more 28' Whirlwinds might have been built at the L.A. Metropolitan Airport before your trailer, but so far no Whirlwind has surfaced with a model code (date code) that confirms or refutes that possibility.

Liner is the generic name for all early Airstreams having two rounded ends. Early Liners also came in a 28' length, the Whirlwind, and in a 16' length, the Wee Wind. The 28' Whirlwind had serial numbers in the 2XXX range that began at 2001 and the 16' Wee Wind had serial numbers in the 3XXX range that began at 3001. So yours is the 77th 22' Liner built at the Metropolitan Airport but not necessarily the 77th Airstream built (although it could be if no 28' Whirlwind having an earlier build date was built there).

The information that only 24 Liners were built at the L.A. Metropolitan Airport is incorrect and likely stale. Your trailer establishes that at least 77 Liners were built there through November 1947. Airstream moved to 1755 No. Main Street, Los Angeles around December 1947 and by January 1948 was manufacturing trailers at that new plant.

Enjoy your Liner!

[Sprouty]

Has any one seen a number higher than 1077 for the liners built at L.A. Metropolitan Airport ?

[aircooled4]

Nice meeting you today Sprouty! Great trailer find!

[bwoodtx]

NICE FIND!! I am drooling!

[Jobe]

Nice find

[JWRII]

If my information is correct Airstream resumed building trailers after the war at their California location in 1947 and made trailers beginning with #1001 and ending 90 trailers later with 1091. It would appear you have the 77th built after the war in 1947. Hope this helps?

[OTRA15]

Welcome to the forum!

FYI this thread is over 5 years old. If you want to get the attention of an earlier poster, you might consider Quoting them via the button below on the right, which will increase the likelihood that they will see your post and reply IMO.

Cheers,

Peter

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Sprouty

Has any one seen a number higher than 1077 for the liners built at L.A. Metropolitan Airport ?

Yours is currently the highest SN I know of with a "Metropolitan Airport" SN badge. I know SN 1102 has a "Main Street" SN badge stamped with a January 1948 build date.