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.
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.
Ok, cool, just judging from what I heard from someone on the board wo lives there, don't park it in Tacoma...
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.
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
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!! ) Mark
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! 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! Learned alot from it..., like have an Air Worthy Cert. before buying a plane...!
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.
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
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.
I believe that Isota Frachini did the fabric thing as well..., not sure about it but would like to see examples of thier construction! Mark
[ 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! Mark [/ QUOTE ] Id love to see the side impact rating on one of those... Drew
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! 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.
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.
Just looked at that site and got the "willies" just remembering all of the woodwork involved! Steel is more the media of my choice..., but that "WOOD" bee a fun project...! What do the Fabric campers look like? The camper site just shows the old aluminum styles..., I didn't see the fabric ones! Mark Mark
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