1948 Aircraft Aluminium Van

[tilly]

Hi Vvanners,
Sorry if this is posted in the wrong topic.

I have been watching and learning from this site for the past 12 months and nearly wet my pants when my neighbour rolled into town a few weeks ago towing this van!

Had a chat to him about it the other day and he tells me it's a 1948 model made out of alluminium, possibly from an old aircraft. The van was purchased in victoria (maybe seymour area, can't remember) and has sadly been gutted inside. There are sheets of ply lining the interior and timber framed flyscreens on the rear windows.

Any info on the van would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

[tilly]

I'll add some more pics tomorrow

[DC3Td]

Hi Tilly. Welcome to the forum. Certainly a skilled build whether factory or otherwise indicated by the panel forming & distinct edge ribbing. Windows, sectionaled door & lights appear aircraft oriented as well. Would be interesting to hear more of course as you`ll no doubt inform us of. Food for thought for me regarding (when) the use of aircraft material was first introduced (as on my teardrop). cheers gordon

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Tilly and DC3Td,

Likewise, welcome from me Tilly. That's an interesting caravan that you've started telling us about.

From my reading, building caravans from aircraft aluminium and components began quite soon after WW2. I guess it was a combination of surplus aircraft being available and there still being restrictions on the availability of other materials.

I've read of enough instances of such caravans that I started a thread in the Down History Lane section on vans made from aircraft components here. So far though only one example has been posted.

Anyway we look forward to seeing some more of your pics of your neighbour's van, Tilly.

Don Ricardo

[tilly]

Thanks for the welcome!

[tilly]

.

[tilly]

There is no record of any manufacturer stamped on the van. Also it has a tounge and groove floor. I told my neighbour about this valuable site and said i'd post it on here on his behalf.
Cheers,

[kingy]

Hi Tilly , your neighbour has a very unique van there........the style /shape of it, does it for me.......really looks the goods, even as it stands now .........luv it
Kingy

[Swellwillys]

Man that's koool as!


Regards,
Swellwillys

[justanotheramy]

<<drooling>>

[cobber]

Yes..... a bit too well made to be a back yard job I'm thinking.

The side marker lights and blinker lights at the rear have me intrigued... they weren't required by law until the late 50's.

This style of caravan was popular in Europe during the 40's and 50's, people like SMV in Sweden built vans along this style.. and apparently there were many manufacturers who copied the SMV style.... (I have read )

Maybe some of our overseas lookers can give us a clue.
(I had a look at the forum this morning about 2:00am and there were 21 "guests" on the site )

Cobber.

[DC3Td]

Well its certainly an interesting styled van & if factory built when it was, predates mine by 4 years thereby voiding the apparent belief that mine was the first factory (one of three) built.

cheers gordon

[jodel1050]

I love it too. When I used to fly with the sport aircraft association out of Serpentine airstrip a lot of folk had their own hangers & caravans, some hidden in hangars, but one that stands out from 1988 was a DC3 complete fuselage on some sort of old bus chassis, not sure if it is still there but I am going to find out, because it still had the cockpit & from my last job I can get a few nice PW R1830 twin wasps to make the thing really hum along nicely ;D

Now in the Navada dessert there are so may scrap aircraft that you could make some magnificent caravans - B747 maybe over the top - a double decker?

Cheers Jodel

[DC3Td]

Maybe this is it:



cheers gordon

[atouchofglass]

Hey Tilly
Welcome to the forum.
That is a unique looking van.
And as all the others have said...... Fantastic.

The van looks the goods.

Unlike the "buy a DC3 body and stick wheels under it that some have done.

That van has style and grace

Cheers
Atog

[vernon]

We are very happy and excited to say that over the Easter break we did a quick trip down to Kels old stomping ground of Victoria. We have been on the hunt for some time looking for another shinny project to compliment Vernon and our R and S Series Vals. (As many before us it is hard to stop at one.) It would seem we have now found it.
The new addition to our family is Valmay.

The owner had the van for something like 16-20 years. It came from a chicken farm where they gutted her and used it to store eggs and assume deliver them. The inside is almost gutted, however we have been able to piece the layout a little. The exterior is reasonable. The back on one side has been substantially damaged (this was obtained whilst on transport many years ago) the other not as bad, with other imperfections here and there. The windows are thought to be brass and with a little bit of attention before school pick up one day a small portion was polished and came up a treat. Actually before quite a few pick ups bits here and there have been attacked. A fair bit of paint will have to be removed and attention to the aluminium before any serious polishing will take place.

The past owner who had a history in the metal field is certain it is of aviation aluminium, and built by a coach builder particularly when you look at the front and back windows, and the lip that runs along the bottom of the van.

Yes Cobber you were right the rear lights were reproduced by the past owner as they were not on Valmay originally. For registration we would assume.

On Vernon we had the same sized rims however not matching. Incredibly Valmay had one rim with the same clips finally we can fit both the hubcaps. The other rim off Vernon is a perfect match for Valmay. What are the odds?.

At this point the van will be on hold whilst we rebuild a car motor. We will also post some pictures when we get photobucket organised, new computer and have never mastered the thing.

Cheers Des and Kel

[vernon]

Dave,

Cheers for that again mate.

Des

[humpty2]

Just by accident we met Des & Kel at Forbes enroute.....and promised not to tell ...Took some photos and had a good chat, also pleased to put faces to the names.
Also met "Jammo" (I think) at Forbes in the caravan park. He was attending an Austin Rally..............I was on a 4 week tour of western NSW with another 6 Plastic vans ;D

[vernon]

Hi Humpty2,
Nice to catchup as well, how did your washer turn out?, by the way we got that tyre repaired after we saw you, we got robbed, had to pay call out fee on public holiday. Told Kel that would have to be her mothers day present ;D bugger me though, the old tyre we were doubting made it all the way from Bendigo to home.

Des and Kel

[atouchofglass]

Veeeerrrrrryyyyy nice score there.
It's unusual and well shaped vans like that, that keep this hobby interesting.
Looking forward to seeing the restoration job.



Always wondered how they curve the metal so beautifully.
Recently was watching Monster Garage where they make all sorts of weird cars.
They curved guards using what they called an "English Wheel"
What a great piece of machinery.
Google it you'll see what I mean.

Cheers
Atog

[cobber]

G'day Des 'n Kel,

What an incredible pair of vans to get hold of.... line them up alongside "Marvin" and you would have a very unique display.

After somebody putting so much effort and skill into building these things I wonder why they had interiors that weren't up to scratch...... good thing is it gives you blokes something to do

Will be interesting to see what you do with it

Cobber.

[banno]

Great Pick-up Des & Kel, can't wait to see it in person. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D



Banno

[cruisindoug]

Des and Kel that is a lovely van, congrats!!!

And a blank canvas inside!

Great score, looking forward to watching the build

[Cruz]

:)WOW

[retro64]

Hi Des and Kel,

Congratulations on picking up one VERY STYLISH van,

cheers Elona and Lionel.