I got a
1954 several months ago although it's not at my house yet. I'm pretty sure it's what you guys are calling a whale tail too, raked back at the stern. Mine has the kitchen and bathroom at the front, which I'm told is one of several variations in the 54 Flying Cloud.
Everything inside this 'barn find' is original, including all the shelving, lighting, and woodwork. Where I have to repair or replace, I'm anxious to preserve the layout, replace wood by copying, and so forth.
I'm going to be adding an AC/heat pump on the roof (it has a roof vent suitable but it's never had one), and also replacing the heater, which is between the bathroom at the front and the door, which is in the middle starboard side.
I want to reuse the same space and keep the little chimney with the witch hat that pokes up through the roof. I also like the existing heater grill by the door, and the RV furnaces i see online look designed to put their heat through flexible hose.... so if possible I'll split the flow with part going to the bathroom (brrrr!) and the rest going out the existing grill, which I will powder coat in some lurid colour to complement a dark mint-and-white interior.
Last remark, i got a few paper prints of clipper ships (including the Flying Cloud herself), and when I'm finishing the interior, I'm going to see whether I can't lacquer them here and there on the wood. If I try and hang them then drive somewhere, I'll waste all my time straightening the darn things!
Eventually I'll have pictures to show off. But wanted to chime in - one more for the whale tails!