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Post by seeshell on Mar 28, 2021 9:10:10 GMT 10
Good morning All - Just a happy message to say that The Blue Flyer has found a new family, living in Philip Island. Two little girls, who will enjoy the under counter bed as much as our daughter did at their age. . I've passed on the information about the forum, and links to her history page, so hope the new family joins soon. Best regards, Carley
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Post by seeshell on Mar 22, 2021 20:05:37 GMT 10
Thanks so much Shesgotthelook and Stephen&Julie - very much appreciated!
Cheers, Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 22, 2021 11:22:08 GMT 10
Hi Everyone
I hope this message finds you all very well. We're in ViC and working with a potential buyer out in WA (with a very pretty Wagoneer) who may be the new owner of the Blue Flyer.
Does anyone have recommendations or experiences of different transport companies who might do loads from VIC to WA?
Very happy to have your thoughts!
Cheers Seashell
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Post by seeshell on Jun 1, 2019 11:32:34 GMT 10
Hi All As noted, our beloved Blue Flyer 1951 handmade is for sale, currently listed on eBayWe would love for it to go to someone from the Vintage Caravan family - as we know she will then be well cared for. If you want to see the work that went into our old girl and about her well documented history, please check out her page. Happy to answer any questions or have a chat on 0468341424 for those considering. Best regards! Carley (Seeshell)
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Post by seeshell on Apr 23, 2019 5:24:56 GMT 10
Good morning All Now that our "baby" girl is nearly 13 years old, and taller than me (!) our Blue Flyer caravan is not large enough for our family holidays. So, it's time to pass her on to another great home where she will be appreciated and loved. I will be listing the van on Ebay and Gumtree for sale at the end of the week, but wanted to advise the community here first in case there was interest. Many of you will already know the detailed renovation she underwent, but if not you can find more at her dedicated page at: Blue Flyer PageBack to bondwood repair High quality external marine paint (norglass paints - custom colour) Porthole and window eyebrows Jones Wheel Custom powder coated red wheels Replaced axel and electric breaks Vintage blue and white annexe with walls included Steel support poles, hemp ropes and coil tensions included Vintage "bluebird" Fabric Curtains Original interior features (counters, handles, etc) New custom mattresses Linens and matching towels included Round shaped modern under bench fridge A very charming girl who turns heads wherever she goes. Please feel free to contact me on 0468341424 for a discussion. Thanks very much, Carley
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Post by seeshell on Aug 21, 2017 14:57:37 GMT 10
I haven't been on the forum for some months and almost missed this news. How terrible for Gaye and her family.
Geoff was a good friend and enthusiastic advocate for all vintage vans, and particularly his beloved Roadie.
Condolences from the Blixt family for this loss.
Carley, Aaron and Sophie
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Post by seeshell on Apr 23, 2016 9:01:18 GMT 10
Glad to help out Hillbill54.
Your project sounds great, so please stay in touch and share your progress photos on the forum. It's a great place to get a bit of advice when you get stuck, as well as some positive feedback, when you feel you're flagging!
Can't wait to see the results. Good luck with it.
Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Apr 18, 2016 11:56:15 GMT 10
Hi Bobandjacqui You beat me to it by a minute. I had the same recollection about the shape - but I don't know about brands. Hughdeani might be able to confirm? Cheers Carley
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Post by seeshell on Apr 14, 2016 16:58:19 GMT 10
Hi Hillbill54
I do have one - PM me and we can discuss.
Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Apr 10, 2016 20:18:58 GMT 10
Here's a pic sent to me by Jamie & Louise Singleton from Victoria ........ it's their Grandfather's caravan he built in the 1950's and remains in pristine condition today after having been garaged for 25 years......The van is made of bondwood and painted Tan & Cream...... Original internal features consist of a "Flavel" gas porcelain two burner cook top & Electrolux fridge...........Note the workmanship that has gone into the van ........Grandpa must have been one helluva tradesman ! " Hi Historians Are there any interior shots of this van? In particular I'm interested in how the side windows work - winders? Cheers Carley
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Post by seeshell on Apr 2, 2016 18:29:23 GMT 10
Hi Mel We had an Olympic that died and passed the door on to ATOG (Atouchofglass) because then more doors can be patterened off it in theory. Losing a door is more common than you'd think - either because they're not secured and blow off, or because the fibreglass gets damaged and they get removed. And when that happens, you can't just whip down to Carac for another - they're curved and shaped. Pretty special actually. I am sure you could have one made or make it if you have skills with fibreglass - talk to ATOG through the forum. If it were me, and knowing what I know now, I'd say wait for another van. The right one will come along. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 4, 2016 19:53:00 GMT 10
Hi Willies
If you based the age of the van on the pattern of the lino, it could have been made any time from the 1930s. However, given the colourway, it would likely be from the late 1940s to early 1950s. When the colour of the lino is combined with the colour of the sink, it is distinctly mid-50s. The 1940s colour palette was more red, green and cream. When the 50s arrived, there was a shift to blues (which were hard to produce properly earlier). Also, going back to my own reference books, you could get those plastic sinks from Henty in the 1950s. In fact, there is material on Trove, showing a less whiz bang version of your sink (white though) in a Propert 'Trailaway' touring caravan, built 1956.
The shape of the van is more angular and sloped, which seems to be a feature of later vans. The 1950s design asthetic was characterised by asymmetry (think the the wood over the window frames). When you combine that with what Firefighter knows about the licence plates - I think you could safely land on the mid-fifties as a birthdate.
I don't know much about makers - Don and others can help with that - but it looks a very unusual shape, and the windows are unique. Perhaps a home build?
Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Mar 4, 2016 10:35:23 GMT 10
Anyone know what the bracket on the side would have been used for? No TV inside! Hello Willies, Congratulations on finding such a lovely, interesting van in great nick. What fabulous lino, and that blue sink - marvelous. Based on our homemade van from 1951, the fitting on the outside could have been for a radio antenna. Ours had one very much like that (the builder was a radio technician initially), and when the pipe with the antenna on it was fitted to the bracket, the cord when back through the window to attach to the radio unit. Important when you were out and about to keep in touch with the world, and keep up with your 'stories'. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Feb 15, 2016 16:50:36 GMT 10
List of the owners of the first fifteen caravans fitted with Jones Dolly Wheels:
Following is a photo of the nameplate on Seeshell's home-built 1951 Blue Flyer caravan, showing the Chippendale address: The Blue Flyer was built by Arthur Conrick, and reference to the list shows that Arthur's van was the tenth to have the Dones Jolly Wheel fitted to it. Hi Don - How very exciting to see this information confirming both that the wheel was a very early example, and that there is a record of it being one of the first installed. From many conversations with the Conrick Family, they certainly say that Arthur was interested in all kinds of advancements - a very early adopter of any improvements that could be made. It was interesting to see in Bob Taylor's documents, the instructions for retrofitting a Jones Wheel to the A-frame. It looks exactly like our own and now I know why - factory work! Thanks for recording all this, and thanks to Bob for his usual meticulous detective work. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Jan 26, 2016 11:18:51 GMT 10
Hi All
The Bakelite side of the business has been transferred to John's son, and will continue online. The lighting shop and sundries will be closing with the sale of the house and shop, and potentially continuing elsewhere or not. John and Janet are semiretired, but may continue the sideline online.
Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Jan 25, 2016 20:26:46 GMT 10
Right you are Cobber! I've corrected the post.
Not sure what's going on, but it's still a worry...I have an order to do so I may ask him.
Time for everyone to stock up on cupboard latches.
Cheers Carley
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Post by seeshell on Jan 25, 2016 19:58:51 GMT 10
Hi All I'm looking for three (3) black bakelite 3-prong male jug cord ends. Looking for 3gen type with the domed lid, but not in brown: Anyone have any 'leads'? *boom tish* I'll be here all week - try the veal. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Jan 25, 2016 18:11:06 GMT 10
Hi All Many of you will have ordered chrome button cupboard catches, bakelite switch plates, or other products from Authentic Lighting and Hardware in Qld. John Paas is good to work with, and still makes products on the original machinery. Noted however on their homepage today 25 Jan 2016: WE WILL KEEP INCREASING OUR PRODUCT RANGE WITH OUR ONLINE SELLING FOR MANY YEARS AND - - HAVE DECIDED TO SELL THE SHOP WITH COTTAGE BEHIND - - - PLUS THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR No.65 To view sales literature - - www.redhillcommercialproperty.com The shop will stay open for many months to come.Not sure what this means - online orders going forward, but no shopfront? Or no presence at all? I think I'll order my bits for the next project to be safe! Cheers Seehell
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Post by seeshell on Jan 25, 2016 16:25:31 GMT 10
Hi Judy
I agree it's mentally taxing. Some people call it pig-headedness, but I more charitably think of it as being persistent for posterity.
If you have the art, we worked directly with the WilsonArt USA group for the samples which you should be able to get for free (maybe shipping) - we were certainly allowed to do that. After that, then you order the custom print through your local Halifax Vogel Group rep (I think they're still the reps at this point in Australia). Sounds like Laminex are doing that time honoured "make them put it in the too hard basket" pricing.
With WilsonArt/Halifax Vogel, we only ordered two large sheets, not 20. Hopefully it still works that way.
Good luck with it.
Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Jan 25, 2016 16:12:50 GMT 10
Hi Mustang
Apparently it relates to some whitewalling processes grinding/taking off the tyre details (load rating, specifications etc.) which then make them illegal. It may be different if you used flappers or just painted on without the inset process - I can't say. The compliance regulation here is: Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 23/00 – Passenger Car Tyres) 2006 which is being enforced, and a few people in Vic have been up for whole new sets of tyres.
Quite a lot of discussion about it at the car clubs as you might imagine.
Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Jan 25, 2016 11:48:24 GMT 10
Hi Bluebird She's a very pretty van - lovely renovation and restoration done. Just about the wheels, check in your state. Recently it became illegal to "whitewall" wheels in Victoria, and you can get pulled off the road and ticketed for it. Not sure about other states. If you need whitewall truck tyres, you might try www.dbtires.com - in the USA, but do white wall truck tires. There may also be local providers, but the usual suspects (Antique Tyres in Melbourne) don't have any. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Jan 25, 2016 8:08:42 GMT 10
Hi Gordon Moving is a big undertaking at the best of times. However with all your bits and bobs, as well be getting your new spot up to your usual standards, you should be busy for ages! I hope you enjoy retirement and pottering in your new shed. It certainly looks a very pretty spot - you DID do well! Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Jan 20, 2016 12:38:45 GMT 10
Update: While working on a project, I have come across two "linen style" formicas that basically replicate very early laminates (if slightly less slubby). Laminex Australia have Clay Textile Natural Finish, and White Textile Natural Finish. The Clay is probably most authentic, and looks like the Tan Linen Formica some of the product in the Dons as far as I can tell. However, if you need another colour, you will still have to print your own (see past posts). As a further update, another supplier - Wilsonart - offer the Spectrum range of linen style formicas, in 25 colours. They are a little less photorealistic, and more abstract, and probably better suited to later vans (late 50s to 60s). If you need a custom colour, they will make that for you. See: www.wilsonart.com/laminate/virtual-design-library/spectrumAn example of the Spectrum linen formica: I suggest if you are looking for this you would be best to contact Halifax Vogel (above posts) who are the distributors in Australia - might be special order. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Jan 20, 2016 12:30:14 GMT 10
Update: WilsonArt will be updating their current stable of more high contrast boomerang formicas with some more subtle tone on tone varieties of these popular patterns. The new designs (to be posted shortly) are: First Lady Pink, Delightful Jade, Creme Caramel, Rock n Roll Ruby, Aqua Ripple, Nostalgic Grey, and Friendly Beige: Brought to you through a collaboration with the ladies at RetroRenovation (more here: retrorenovation.com/2016/01/19/wilsonart-boomerang-laminates-by-retro-renovation/). Existing WilsonArt formica retro patterns can be found at this website. Cheers Seeshell
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Post by seeshell on Jan 18, 2016 20:30:45 GMT 10
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