I hauled home a real WWII Airplane

I've done a lot of aluminum sheet metal work, but I've always been forced to use the crappy pop-rivets because I lacked the right tools.

 

This is way over the top of the cool scale.
I'd love to pull up at home with that to see my wife's reaction.


I was thinking about registration process with the DMV counter person.....

carlisle1926<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_7366653", true); </SCRIPT>:
"I'd like to register my homebuilt motorhome please"

DMV counter person:
"Does this vehicle resemble construction of a known manufacturer"

carlisle1926<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_7366653", true); </SCRIPT>:
"Yes, it looks like a 1942 Lockheed C60 Lodestar"

DMV counter person:
"So the said motorhome appears similar to an airplane?"

carlisle1926<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> vbmenu_register("postmenu_7366653", true); </SCRIPT>:
"Not looks like, it's a 1942 Lockheed C60 Lodestar with wheels"

DMV counter person:
"Just a moment sir, let me call my supervisor and the FAA..."




Here's some inspiration...



Saw this one cruising around the San Diego area in the early 1980's.
Almost got spine damage from rubber neckin' the first time I spotted it.

 

Oh man, it just gets better..

Betty Hutton nose art?....

 

Been sucking on cough drops for about a week and almost choked on one reading this.

 

That is a great idea!

 

You could put her on as nose art and call it the Hutton Hornet

Thanks,
"Skrach"
My Vintage Blog:
www.VividlyVintage.com
My 55 Chrysler Worklog:
www.Pop's55.com

 

Very cool. I remeber seeing a pic of a C47 motorhome conversion that was, I think in Australia a while back

 

Seeing as how painting nose art has become my main source of living, I think I can make that happen on this Lodestar.

 

That is another fantastic idea!

 

There is a DC3/C47 that has had the rear half cut off to convert it into a motor home. It looked great in the front, but it looks like they ran out of creativity when they built the rear portion.

 

you do know it's an airplane right? you're going to have some real trouble at the auto-zone.

 

This is one of the coolest builds to date. Hope you live in the wide open spaces because your neighbors are going to flip out.

Cliff Ramsdell

 

Like this Ozzie DC3

 

You've got my attention.

 

Beaten to the draw..........



Doc.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6920622&postcount=534
A bit of history from earlier post.

 

this is awsome great find good luck with it cheers

 

Here's a drawing of a (closely related) Ventura off Wikipedia, which might be useful for figuring out the planning for the motorhome conversion:



Save it to your computer, then print it to some useful scale; put some tracing paper over it and sketch away.

Off the top of my head, the front suspension could go under the raised cockpit. That would open up the nose for a sleeping compartment. The engine could be bus-style, under-floor or rear.

 

Hey, thanks for the extra info! Used to see it around at air shows when I was a Red Beret doing parachute displays but never got a chance to find out much about it.
Very cool.

Doc.

PS, Whatever you power it by you have to give it that radial sound!!

 

Nice score. Old planes have been used as houses & even boats, as the converted ~Cosmic Muffin~

 

Just when you thought you had met all the crazy people in the world up pops another one...............and he turns out to be a GENIUS !!!!!!!!! This is one of the coolest projects I have ever seen anyone want to undertake. You are taking "thinking outside the box" to a whole new level.

Can't wait for updates on this one.

Don

 

Holy shit that's awesome. Go man, go!

 

Woah!

 

DAMN!!!!! If I lived closer I would donate tools and labor! I haven't worked on a WWII aircraft in years GOOD LUCK MAN!!

 

Now this is over the top ! Finally something interesting to follow....subscribed.
Can't wait to see the progress, keep the pics flowin.

 

If I remember correctly "Puff the Magic Dragon" was a "DC" series planes due to the fact that the wings were so long and wide they had the better payload/stress requirements.

Wish I lived closer, it would be fun to say I did something on that build.

Can you sell any of the parts to aircraft restoration places around the world ?
Never know thay still might be in use in parts of South America, Russia (we were allies at one time), Egypt, France ?

 

My wife says it has good bones ! I just think your nuts but you go cant wait to see more phoots

 

Wow, that is to neat for words.

 

They say the guy that dies with the most toys WINS! You sir have already won with the biggest and baddest toy I have seen yet, Cool.