Flying Cloud Registry

[1953 Flying]

Hi fellow Flying Cloud lovers,

We want to add our cloud to the list. It's a 1953, 21 foot 13 Panel, Flying Cloud. The serial number is 7443. We purchase this fine piece of Americana back in December of 06. It took my father law and I 5 months of every day and night to complete her for this past summers trips.

Here are some pics of before and after. I know there are alot, but I'm just to darn lazy to make a new folder. Enjoy

1953flyingcloud.shutterfly.com

[safari57]

Robert

Great job you guys did. And a ton of work. Now you are into the enjoyment part. So is the Father In Law going to get one of his own now? It's way more fun when every one in the family has one of their own you know.

We will soon be undertaking a similar effort with a friends '51 FC he bought last summer. I don't think I'll show him these pics and scare him off .


Barry

[1953 Flying]

Originally Posted by safari57

Robert

Great job you guys did. And a ton of work. Now you are into the enjoyment part. So is the Father In Law going to get one of his own now? It's way more fun when every one in the family has one of their own you know.

We will soon be undertaking a similar effort with a friends '51 FC he bought last summer. I don't think I'll show him these pics and scare him off .


Barry

Thanks it was alot of work, but I would do it all over again. I'm trying to get my father in law to buy one. He states the family only needs one. I tell him, what trailer are you going to stay in?

51' wow, I hope it isn't as bad as mine was. Good luck with it. I would love to see some pics.

[2bkidfree]

Hi all, I just got mine the day before thanksgiving. Serial number 22D-0186. Built in California. Mfg in March of 59, so it looks more like a 58 than a 59'. Location close to San Diego CA.

Looking for pictures to figure out what parts are original and what are aftermarket.

Thanks

[safari57]

Originally Posted by 2bkidfree

Hi all, I just got mine the day before thanksgiving. Serial number 22D-0186. Built in California. Mfg in March of 59, so it looks more like a 58 than a 59'. Location close to San Diego CA.

Looking for pictures to figure out what parts are original and what are aftermarket.

Thanks

Mine is too old for referencing. Have you checked out RJ Dial's site?

Vintage Airstream Photo Archives

You may be able to find more relevant pictures there of units around the same age as yours.

Are you intending to restore it to stock or tailor it to more current use with it still "looking" close to original?

Barry

[urbanfood]

Originally Posted by 2bkidfree

Hi all, I just got mine the day before thanksgiving. Serial number 22D-0186. Built in California. Mfg in March of 59, so it looks more like a 58 than a 59'. Location close to San Diego CA.

Looking for pictures to figure out what parts are original and what are aftermarket.

Thanks

you can check out my thread to see if it helps you;

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f411...oud-27533.html

[Creampuff]

I have some original cabinetry from the '57 FC that I do not need.
Here's the list:
- Curbside rear bunk. This installs above the curbside window. it is curved to the rear endcap profile, has orig. Zolatone on underside and orig. Ash sides.

- 3- drawer cupboard/ dresser from bedside rear next to bathroom.Veneer rough but drawers good.

- 2 drawers from under bed. One orig.-one repro.

PM for pictures. Reasonable to a good aluminum home. Location L.A. area.

[2bkidfree]

Went to the Vintage Airstream site and got some good looks. Most of my stuff is original so I don't know if I'm restoring or updating.

The wife and I spent the last couple of nights ripping up the old carpet and 2 layers of tile to see what we have. Found some rot, so I need to see how far it goes.

Creampuff - Thanks for the offer on the interior stuff, but I have the feeling it's going to be a long time before I get to that point.

It rained yesterday, (yes it does rain in southern CA) and I found water inside this morning. Confirms my suspicion that one of the PO's used to keep it covered all the time. Now I have to find the leaks.

UrbanFood - I've been reading your thread, nice work. I'll have to contact you about details.

Thanks for all the help.

[bevman]

I, too, am in the process of restoring a FC. You might like to look at the progress album at Paladin Home Page/Merriman/Airstream

[Creampuff]

Has anyone successfully been able to restore the blue background color and leave the lettering aluminum on an original serial number plate?
I was able to get decent results on the larger AIRSTREAM plaques with masking, cutting out the letters as a resist and spraying the backgound,but the small # plates have very little embossing and lots of detail. Is the only solution to get someone like VTS to run a bunch of blanks from an etched nameplate company? Most originals I've seen are weathered raw aluminum but I'm convinced they had a blue background.

[CaptainJones]

Since August I have only been able to add 4 more Clouds. Here Is what I have at this point:

1950 - 7008, 7019, 7025, 7028, 7039
1951 - 7055, 7088, 7117, 7126, 7143, 7171, 7173
1952 – 7214, 7253, 7295
1953 - O3001, O3008, O3009, O3028, O3107, 7390, 7443, 7463, 7491, 7521
1954 - O3188, O3202, 7696, 7723, 7739, 7749
1955 - 7776, 7785, 7817, 7842, 7846, 7902, 7905, 7908, 7932, 7973, 7986, O3255, O3266
1956 - 8021, 8022, 8053
1957 - 8111, 8132, 8196, 8208, 8241, 8307, O3448
1958 - O3517, 8417, 8477, 22-8532, 22-8593, 22-8604
1959 – 22D-0186, 22-T0198, 22-T0210
1960 -
1961 – 22-TS0570, 22SS0604, 22-TSS0617
1962 - 22TS/S0674
1963 – 223F126, I223F128

TOTAL – 69 confirmed by serial numbers

[safari57]

Originally Posted by bevman

I, too, am in the process of restoring a FC. You might like to look at the progress album at Paladin Home Page/Merriman/Airstream

Great pics Bevman. Nice polish job as well. Very impressive.

Barry

[safari57]

Originally Posted by CaptainJones

Since August I have only been able to add 4 more Clouds. Here Is what I have at this point:



TOTAL – 69 confirmed by serial numbers

Wow, impressive number for trailers this old. Great work Greg. It's fun to see the list continue to grow.

Barry

[flyfshr]

I find it odd there aren't any 1960's on the list. I know there are some out there in vintageland somewhere.

BTW - you have two more FC's in your registry than I have TW's. I may need to open up the registry to more than just '59 and '60 just to keep up with you.

Brad
FF

[marieffa]

I have a 1957 Flying Cloud serial # 8304, my WBCCI # is 7837. I live in NW Florida, I have owned it since 2003.

[safari57]

Originally Posted by marieffa

I have a 1957 Flying Cloud serial # 8304, my WBCCI # is 7837. I live in NW Florida, I have owned it since 2003.

Wow. Pictures please. I couldn't find a '57 to tow behind my '57 when I was looking.

Barry

[Dionna]

Hi Greg, I've just reg. last night and told our's is a 1959 flying cloud. We are from Southern V C ,CA. 22T-0256 #8326

Donna & Jack

[Dionna]

Hi Greg, I've just reg. last night and told our's is a 1959 flying cloud. We are from Southern V C ,CA. 22T-0256 #8326

Donna & Jack

[flyfshr]

Judging from the one photo, I'd have to say you have a unique '59. The windows forward of the door are rectangular, most I've seen are square or close to it, and there isn't a window aft of the entry door on the curbside.

More pictures pleeze.

Brad
FF

[aprimosch]

Here is my man. This is what I was told:

"Your Airstream s/n 8349 is a 1957 model year 22' Flying Cloud built in California. The 1957 model year was unusual in that it was longer than most, lasting for 18 months. It began at the usual time, in October 1956, but ended late, in March 1958. I don't know why it was so long. The 1958 model year also began late, in April 1958 at s/n 8400 for Flying Clouds, so your trailer s/n 8349 was likely built in calendar year 1958 but is a 1957 model according to Official Mobile Home Market Report (blue book) serial number records."

1958 22-ft. Flying Cloud
#8349
Flickr: Photos from Whirl with Earle