FIRST RIVETS SET

Since the frame has been painted, we have been working on gathering materials for the subfloor, holding tanks, plumbing, insulation and belly pan installations. We are still waiting on some of the supplies due to them being out of stock. While we are waiting for the remaining supplies the decision was made to cut down the wheel wells about 4”. This will provide us with additional room in the galley cabinet for plumbing and additional room in the wardrobe. This also provided us with a good project to improve on riveting and fabrication skills in preparation for the work ahead. 

We also fabricated a sheet metal brake that should come in handy for the fabrication work ahead. It has already seen service with the wheel well project. Above is a picture of the wheel wells side by side with one already altered and nearing completion.

FRAME PAINTED

Finally the frame is painted ... for the most part anyway. The remaining axle sections will be finished at a later date. We went with the gray Por-15 as the first coat and then black as the second coat to ensure everything was covered in both coats. 

On to the next task . . .

RAISING OF THE GANTRIES!

After three weeks of rain delay we have finally, sorta of made some progress. The gantries were built and raised! 

During and between rain showers this past week we did it! The first set Tim and I raised by ourselves. On the she second set I called in reinforcements and had my step-dad come help. Thanks Papa John! We could not have done it without you. Even though we didn’t actually touch the Liner this week at least we feel progress was made. Thanks to whoever posted the plans on the AirForums for the gantry build. It was a link to a thread to a thread to another thread. Now when time comes to rotisserie the frame and when it’s time to lift the shell off the old frame we will be ready. Vergie is still patiently waiting in the background. 

Forecast has drier weather ahead for us. Yesterday stayed dry but that turned into a yard day. The grass has grown really fast with all the rain that we have had. Tim should be able to finish painting the frame today. 

CONFESSION . . .

I can not believe it but I must tell. During the many, many years that I have lived in Florida I have never, ever been to Sanibel. So there it is ... my confession!

Several months back I decided to meet-up again with my group Sisters On The Fly. SOTF holds hundreds of events throughout the year, with vintage trailers, all over the U.S. Most events are no Misters, no dogs and definitely no kids. It allows for the group to focus on the event and to enjoy the time away. This event was titled Sisters & Seashells. I decided to go for several reasons ... first like I said I’ve never been, there are no dogs allowed at this campground due to a bird sanctuary there and lets face it Tim won’t just drive me the 3 1/2 hours one way just to go look at seashells on the seashore. So my thoughts were this might be my only chance to camp at Periwinkle in Sanibel. 

As my luck would have it work began to interfere. My last day of this shoot was the first day I was to be in Sanibel. Tim was kind enough to offer to tow the Airstream down there, drop it and come back so that I could go down early on Friday. The plan worked and I had a blast. The Sisters say ‘He’s a keeper.’ THANK YOU TIM!!!

There are also a handful of other animals on property at Periwinkle RV Park - Spider monkeys, brown lemurs and the ring tailed lemurs pictured above. These and all the birds including a pair of swans were all within site of my campsite. Some of the ladies went kayaking the first day and had quite the adventure. By the time I caught up we went shopping in Sanibel and Captiva, sight seeing on the islands, enjoyed a potluck one night and had a fabulous dinner out at the Lazy Flamingo on another night. We even streamed the Royal Wedding from my campsite early Saturday morning while drinking mimosas from gold Solo cups! That’s how I roll. It was really nice hanging out with the sisters at this SOTF event. Some I knew and it was fun getting to know the ones I hadn’t met yet. I was as happy as a Flamingo in a trailer park! LOL

Florida has had an unbelievable amount of rain over the past week. Just over six inches while I was gone. Unfortunately no work has been able to be done on the ‘48 Airstream back home. Luckily the weather held out for us in south Florida until our last night. I had to get up early this morning to be able to hitch up and get on the road between showers. The drive home was a wet one. The rain was constant. I was comfortable during the drive but still considered it a confidence builder. I arrived home safely and now have another successful solo trip under my belt. 

SLOW MOTION . . .

Life keeps getting in the way. Between services, Birthday Parties, doctor appointments, galas, my work and now the weather ... progress has been slow. The metal prep has begun but WOW what a process. The metal degreaser was a breeze. Then came the metal prep. For those who have not done this it took much longer than anticipated. The painting was to begin today however we’ve had rain and there’s more coming. 



Even with all the delays we have still been moving forward on purchasing smaller items needed on future segments of this project. All the holding tanks came in. We purchased a nifty dent roller. Had custom taillights made in California and have even bought curtain material. 

Hopefully we’ll have drier weather by Monday. 

NEW TOW VEHICLE ...

Today Tim moved the Liner back about 65’ through soft sand and thick grass with our golf cart. It took a little bit to get her moving since she had settled in the sand but with a little rock back and forth it worked. The Liner had sat unmoved for just over three years. We had decided to use the golf cart to keep his heavy truck out of the soft unpacked sand on that side of the house. I had put the flames on the golf cart to make it go faster, seems it made it a tougher TV as well! 



I then used the golf cart to easily tow the new frame around front yard, on our gravel road and back it into the side yard like no load was there. The new frame currently sits where the Liner use to sit. The Liner really looks nice sitting in her new temporary location.

__________________

ORDER UP!

No progress but progress has happened. Tim has spent a good part of the week measuring and re-measuring the new frame. There were a few critical measurements to confirm like where the door opening lands and cross member placement. So far it looks to be perfect! He seems to be sleeping somewhat better now. The cross members were spaced to where we would not need to special order holding tanks. Once the frame landed we confirmed those numbers so we could go ahead and order tanks from VTS and Plastic Mart. 

So this week we did go ahead and order the holding tanks. Even tho no physical progress we still feel that something was accomplished by placing those orders. VTS has given us a five business day turnaround. All they will do is insert fittings, to shelf stock, where requested by us. By not ordering custom tanks it saves some money but still an expensive purchase. 

This week we will order the metal needed for holding the tanks in place and begin prepping the frame for paint. Also on the horizon looms the purchase of the Marine Plywood for the decking.

WE HAVE A NEW FRAME!

The new frame for our 1948 Airstream Liner has arrived home! 

CEDAR KEY!

Tim and I just returned yesterday from four fabulous days at Cedar Key, Florida. We had a blast and I don’t even really like Cedar Key. The town is a bit too touristy for me. For me it’s all about Low-Key Hideaway that’s there right before you get into town and that dang Tiki Bar out back. It doesn’t help having your campsite only fifty feet from it! 

Once you walk in the door the place just swallows you up. All your cares and concerns are forgotten about and you begin planning how do I get back here again and when can I make it happen! Here is a few comparisons photos of what it was and what it has become ...

We always meet so many nice people there. The girls had a great time too. Jett and Mattie love all the attention they get in there. The last day there Jett even sat behind the Airstream staring at the Tiki Bar and whining waiting for it to open. Since we did absolutely nothing except hang out at the Airstream and the Tiki Bar I’m just going to end this post with pictures and let these tell our story of our amazing and relaxing time spent there ... 

FRAME NEARLY COMPLETE ...

So, so long in the waiting ... the frame is almost done! 



Since the beginning we’ve had conversations of do we build the frame? Meaning buy a welder. Learn good welding skills and hope the welds hold. Or just throw money at it, save some time and have a professional do the job? 



Thanks to our trip to Texas where we not only got the range and ice box, we also got frame plans used for another ‘48 Liner. THANK YOU TEXAS! Then once we found a welder, who is also an engineer - that we had confidence in, we gave him the go ahead and a set of frame plans. Tim modified the plans slightly to fit our rig. Our welder was excited to take on the project. He has been working in his spare time on building the frame over the past month in his shop. After seeing what he has done so far we know we made the right decision and anyway we by no means had all the proper tools and space like he has in his shop to accomplish what he has. 



Tim and I have been going out for visits to see the progress. Just this past Tuesday it had none of the outriggers attached. Today it is looking a little more complete. 



Tomorrow we take a short trip to Cedar Key in the ‘04 Airstream. By our return the axle should be attached and ready to tow home! Then the rest of the build should be all on us. 

I’m sure some are saying ‘over kill’ on the frame build. Yes. We agree. In order to accommodate fresh and gray tanks we needed the frame depth. In order to keep the look of the original deep belly pan ... we needed this frame depth. Tim will respond to any technical questions anyone may have about our new frame. 

Guess this will be the last outing in our other A/S for awhile. Once we return it will be full speed ahead on the ‘48!

Special Delivery

After a few emails, phone calls and many measurements the new axle was ordered and has arrived. Since we ‘know a guy’ he made the process of getting a new axle for the 1948 Airstream a breeze. And yes they still make them! It was a custom order. Dexter will build anything you need to your specifications. 

For those of you who know about our silly game ‘I know a guy’... CHEERS! It’s quite interesting how many times people will say ‘I know a guy’ in one conversation. It’s really turned into a fun conversational piece and a great drinking game. 

Stay tuned we should have even more exciting news coming very soon about the ‘48. This next big step will be a huge hurdle in making the rest of this restoration come to life!