Joined: Aug 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,010 Location: Camden nsw
"Airlite" Caravans « Thread Started on Mar 6, 2009, 11:15am »
Airlite Caravans
There have been only two references to “Airlite” caravans on this forum so far.
One was to an “Airlite” being used in the Hire fleet of John Walsh of “Newcastle Caravans” and the other was in this photo provided by one of the kids in the photo who said the caravan in the background was an “Airlite” made in S.A.
“Airlite” was a brand manufactured in the UK during the 1930's.
Does anybody have information regarding “Airlite” in Australia.
Joined: Jan 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 1,682 Location: Doreen, Vic
Re: "Airlite" Caravans « Reply #1 on Mar 7, 2009, 7:21pm »
Hi Cobber,
Interesting photo. The dogs seem to be resigned to being dressed up!
Pity we don't know the date the photo was taken. Do you think it could be as early as the 30's, based on the vehicle in the background, or do you think it may have been later? I gather the provider of the photo didn't give any hints as to when and where?
I wonder if the lantern roof on the van indicates that it may be an English Airlite? Some early Australian vans had lantern roofs, eg. Furness, but not too many I think.
Joined: Aug 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,010 Location: Camden nsw
Re: "Airlite" Caravans « Reply #2 on Mar 8, 2009, 4:37am »
G'day Don R.
The photo would have been taken in the very early '40's I think. The youngster on the left is the younger version of the old chap who gave me all the information regarding “Sundowner” caravans... see http://vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/i....lay&thread=2018
Now that I've heard from a second source that “Airlite” was a brand known to exist in Oz I'll see if I can get an opinion from a mate in the UK as to whether it thinks the 'van in the photo is an English “Airlight” or not.
I don't think “Airlite” survived after the war in the UK, which leaves us with the question 'where did the “Airlite “ John Walsh hired out come from ? ”.... Did Purdon Bros make an “Airlite” ?
Joined: Aug 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,010 Location: Camden nsw
Re: "Airlite" Caravans « Reply #3 on Mar 10, 2009, 6:47am »
My friend in the UK confirms that “Airlite” in the UK ceased production after WW 11 and only had one or two models prior to the war, and this photo is not of one of them.
So.... we need to find out a bit more on “Airlite” in Australia. If this photo is of one taken in the 1940's and they were still supplying John Walsh's hire fleet into the late 1950's there should be a bit of information about them out there.