Re: [VAC] Your 21ft Flying Cloud

[wescott50@xxxxxxxxx (Bill Scott)]

Thanks Wayne for the info on Microcars. You asked about the Dutchman's
cap, and source material and differences between 21 footers and 22
footers.
#1.  The Dutchman's cap is  a special 9 segment design that is on the
rear only of some 55, 56 and 57 models.  The center segment is very
large and looks like a Dutchman's cap, or a "Whale Tail".  Out on a limb
here, I am going to say that the Dutchman's cap , rear 9 segment design
was only made in the Calif plant, and only made in 55, 56, and 57.   If
I am wrong, then please someone tell me.
#2.  The source material I use, are the hundreds of photos that are on
the VAC and WBCCI web sites, plus the info from Bud Cooper's Vintage
Advantage article, and most recently the "Official Mobile Home Market
Report", 69th edition, Jan 1, 1959.  I would love to see some of the
earlier editions, that may include the late forties Airstreams.
#3.  To sum up, the differences are slight, but you have to know the
year and plant:
1953, Flying Cloud,..21 feet, both plants.
1954, Flying Cloud,...22 feet, both plants.
1955, Flying Cloud....22 feet, both plants
1955 , Globetrotter,..18 feet, Ohio only
1955, Safari,...22 feet, Ohio only
1955, Panorama, 22 feet, Ohio only
1955, Romany, 26 feet, Ohio only
1956, Caravaner 22 feet, Ohio only
1956, Sovereign of the road, 30ft, Ohio only.

Now this is what the report says, and supposedly, this is official
information from the Airstream company.  If the above says Ohio only, it
means the same coach was not built in California, in that year.  There
are many other, major and minor and subtle differences, only noticeable
by an afficionado or owner of that model.  Tom Walden said it well
yesterday, ....and that is that some accessories were used at the
factory, until they were gone, then a different style was used.   So
many custom coaches were made and there were so many "Options", it is
sometimes difficult to distinguish the difference between models.   Just
feel lucky, that you know your year and model.  We are gradually closing
in on the info that may tell us how many of your model coach was built
in that model year.  Good Luck.

Bill Scott
61 Bambi
66 Trade Wind LY