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Old 01-24-2016, 03:08 AM   #1
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1954 22' Flying Cloud
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1954 flying cloud whale Tail

Today I bought a 1954 Flying Cloud whale Tail made in California. I have been reading about the 54 and it seems to be a rare one. This one is #7631. I could find 13 on the internet but only 3 that have the Whale tail. Is it that rare? I was thinking about selling it and I'm not sure what to ask. Help. Thank, My name is Ernie.
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Old 01-28-2016, 02:26 PM   #2
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She's a beaut! Congrats!
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Old 01-28-2016, 02:34 PM   #3
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So you bought it to flip or plan to use it?
50's Flying Clouds are pretty rare, as well as desirable due to light weight.
Personally I am not a fan of the whale tail but suppose I am biased. I think it was an attempt to reduce the fab cost by eliminating panels and rivets.
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Old 01-28-2016, 04:20 PM   #4
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A pre-Whale-Tail Flying Cloud was 21 feet ('53 and earlier), the Whale-Tail Flying Cloud was 22 feet - which was accomplished by simply sloping the rear end. Apparently Ohio chose to keep the "Loaf of Bread" shape and made it a true 22 foot long . . .
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Old 01-29-2016, 11:01 AM   #5
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about the inside?
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Old 01-29-2016, 12:11 PM   #6
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about the inside?
I Checked your site and I really liked the Death Valley Pictures.
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Old 01-29-2016, 12:20 PM   #7
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As a biologist in my early days, I don't recognize anything about this trailer remotely similar to the tail of a while. I looked up "whale tail" in Wikipedia and found:

"Whale tail is the Y-shaped waistband of a thong or G-string when visible above the waistline of low-rise jeans, shorts, or a skirt that resembles a whale's tail."

My, my --- that was not what I expected at all.

Would someone please educate me why these trailers are called "whale's tails"?
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Old 01-29-2016, 01:08 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rgentum View Post
As a biologist in my early days, I don't recognize anything about this trailer remotely similar to the tail of a while. I looked up "whale tail" in Wikipedia and found:

"Whale tail is the Y-shaped waistband of a thong or G-string when visible above the waistline of low-rise jeans, shorts, or a skirt that resembles a whale's tail."

My, my --- that was not what I expected at all.

Would someone please educate me why these trailers are called "whale's tails"?
Yup - that's a DIFFERENT kind of whale "tail" altogether!

Just guessing here, but maybe the top panel at the aft end that expands the closer it gets to the window - resembles a tail.
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Old 01-30-2016, 01:49 AM   #9
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Whale of a Tail

Quote:
Originally Posted by ErnieG View Post
Today I bought a 1954 Flying Cloud whale Tail made in California. I have been reading about the 54 and it seems to be a rare one. This one is #7631. I could find 13 on the internet but only 3 that have the Whale tail. Is it that rare? I was thinking about selling it and I'm not sure what to ask. Help. Thank, My name is Ernie.
The flute of a Whales tail when diving - depicts the tail end of the trailer the triangle panel just above the window. the rear side panel of the picture you took show the upper mid-panel of the "Flute of a whales tail " as shown on the this Google web link https://www.google.com/search?q=Whal...oQsAQIIw&dpr=1

Hope that helps. Basically Airstream experimented with many styles of panels to complete a weather sealed curvature that would last better than some that posed leaks problems more than others.

Just something that was not written in stone but was talk around many campfires and stuck.
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Old 01-30-2016, 04:55 AM   #10
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Thanks ErnieG. I try but I get lazy.
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Old 01-30-2016, 05:16 PM   #11
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I recall hearing the Whale tail was only done in the Calif. factory.
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Old 02-08-2016, 01:46 PM   #12
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True

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I recall hearing the Whale tail was only done in the Calif. factory.
Ohio trailers (like mine) are non-Whale Tail.
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Old 04-18-2017, 03:12 PM   #13
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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!
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