Aircraft Fabric and Vintage Trailers

[wayfarer]

Sawzall gave me an idea of using the fabric that aircraft are made out of to skin a travel trailer that I'd like to build. He also gave me an idea with a little drawing of a Roswell trailer. Does anyone else have experience with this material or do you have any pictures of vintage trailers, conventional or futuristic looking to inspire me? I'd like to build a really cool looking trailer to tow behind the Dodge.

[TINGLER]

Vintage mobile homes you want......Vintage mobile homes you get!

Here is a LINK: CLICK ME. (http://www.allmanufacturedhomes.com/html/vintage_mobile_homes.htm)

JT.

[DrJ]

I think that would LOOK really great!
There was a '36 Ford here,I saw at a show once with an aircraft canvas/muslin, whatever they call it, stretched over a steel frame.
Only problem I can see in it for a trailer is the "Cut me and pillage" invitation it would be for all the midnight Motel parking lot marauders.
I had a top cut open on a convertible once so they could steal the gloves on the seat I guess, and the doors were unlocked!
Bastards probably won't leave it alone. even if you have a solid lid underneath.

[wayfarer]

Hotel, what's a hotel? I'll be sleeping in the thing! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[DrJ]

Ok, cool, just judging from what I heard from someone on the board wo lives there, don't park it in Tacoma... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[wayfarer]

I don't go near Tacoma except to drive through it. One of my friends was a cop there for awhile and it's a pretty scary place.

[sawzall]

this is the company I couldnt remember last night. JIm and dondi miller at MILLERTIME airport.
http://www.aircrafttechsupport.com/

also check out this

polyfiber
http://www.polyfiber.com/stits/



I know this other company has the same material available but.. I think the prices were higher.. and I really felt like dondi knows whats up with this stuff..


I didnt buy from these guys.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/index.php

[wayfarer]

Thanks for all the help Sawzall, you've opened up whole world of ideas for me.

[wingnutz]

Thanks Sawzall for the listings..., and the competition has lowered the price and seems to save time with the new adhesives and dopes...!

I used Aircraft Spruce on my 44' Piper L-4 in the early 80's it was the only company on the market at the time. Great company but it was a "pain in the ass" stitching stretching and doping!! (p.s. use a respirator!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif)


Mark

[Rocknrod]

how you like the piper? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[wingnutz]

The Piper is more fun to fly than to work on..., Both are easy..., but the sewing takes time! Fabric Campers should be easier and safer! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Got it real cheap from a guy in central Wisconsin who was flying it to Oshkosh to sell. He didn't make it because of little things that happen from major time on the ground! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Learned alot from it..., like have an Air Worthy Cert. before buying a plane...! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[prime mover]

if any of you are want one I have a camper for sale, its a 55 ranger tent trailer, it has no fabric but all the major pieces are there, looks really classic going down the road with its 54 ford tail lights. email if interested.

[flt-blk]

Ahhh childhood meomories,
I helped my Pop reocver a 46 Bellanca, the smell of Dope coming from the garage still brings back memories. Watching Ma stich all the control surfaces was mezmerizing.

I was too busy with School to help on the 48 Aeronca Chief rebuild. I guess I should have paid more attention.
TZ

[disastron13]

Just noticed this post...if y'all have ever been to a "classic" car meet you might have seen Rolls-Royces or other English cars with Weymann bodies.
They were wood framed with fabric over the frame. They used wooden stringers like a boat or an old plane to get compound curves.
They were insulated with felt and horsehair.
They looked just like a metal body, after the eight coats of English enamel and lasted well even in that climate.
Their weak point was flex- the skinny un-rigid frames and stiff suspensions were hard on the body framing. After while you could see the nail heads through the fabric.
Real light weight and nice lookin bodies.

[wingnutz]

I believe that Isota Frachini did the fabric thing as well..., not sure about it but would like to see examples of thier construction! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Mark

[DiggerDrew]

[ QUOTE ]
I believe that Isota Frachini did the fabric thing as well..., not sure about it but would like to see examples of thier construction! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Mark

[/ QUOTE ]
Id love to see the side impact rating on one of those... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Drew

[SlowLearner]

I imagine side impact rating about the same as your average bike! But, don't forget, you've got chicken wire in that body as a side guard! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Still, the fabric body can look good. I'm planning one.
Way vintage plans here:
http://www.nwvs.org/Technical/RonLimbrickSpeedster/MMSpeedster.shtml
Lotta framing on that one.
Apparently there were different kinds of construction. One, where ash framing was rigidly joined (and these flexed to bits on a whippy chassis), and the "Weymann" body; used a patented method of flexible "T" and "L" plates at the joints, so the whole BODY flexed a bit. Not sure if that isn't a lost art now.
http://photo.starblvd.net/SlowLearner/1-5-3.jpg

[disastron13]

Yes Weymann had a patented method of construction to cope with flex. Morgan and many others just continued the method used in the horse carriage days.
Up until model Ts made steel bodies cheap a lot of sppedsters and race cars in this country had fabric bodies, say up until 1923.

[wingnutz]

Just looked at that site and got the "willies" just remembering all of the woodwork involved! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Steel is more the media of my choice..., but that "WOOD" bee a fun project...! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

What do the Fabric campers look like? The camper site just shows the old aluminum styles..., I didn't see the fabric ones! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Mark

Mark