We came across this absolutely gorgeous 1947 Aero Flite Falcon camping trailer (fully restored with a custom paint job) on YouTube and just knew you would want to see it too! It was painstakingly rebuilt by foster wayne from a fairly solid shell (but with a very rough interior) into what it is today. Viewer Dean Martin said this about the restoration,
That was by far the prettiest vintage trailer I’ve seen, and I’ve been watching these types of videos for over a year now since I bought my own 1973 Yellowstone Camper which is basically a turd when you compare it to this thing. 🙂 What a job!
Here are a few before images of the trailer, showing how much work there was to do.
Before restoration, the camper’s aluminum shell was a traditional, dull silver color and looked pretty good, at least from the outside. But looks can be deceiving. Underneath, problems with the seams in the shell had developed leading to extensive water damage throughout the cabin of the trailer.
The trailer was stripped down to the frame and insulation was added.
The briefest glimpse of the original red paint was still visible on the exterior, and only then in worn patches that had faded out. While inside, the diner style table still featured the original red and white booth upholstery that is so representative of the era.
Fortunately, the aluminum kitchen was completely salvaged.
Not only the shell, but much of the frame for the trailer and panels, as well as the kitchen cabinets and other features, were made from aluminum angle stock and sheet metal that had survived intact. The entire interior was stripped out, down to the aluminum frame and shell so that the envelope could be resealed before replacing the wooden components.
New insulation and subfloor going in.
Since the original floor had been laid directly over wooden battens with no insulation, one of the first things to go back in was foil-lined foam insulation board. The foam serves two purposes, one it helps with climate control, and two it deadens a lot of the noise common in vintage RVs. Two layers of ¾ inch insulation went into the walls, for a full 1 ½ inches of snug warmth.
The aluminum exterior in various phases of buffing.
The exterior paint, what was left of it, was removed with a chemical stripper to leave bare aluminum. The body of the camper was then buffed out to a high reflective sheen. Most of the kitchen cabinetry was solid aluminum, making it ideal for restoration as well. It was pulled out as a unit.
Brand new lights were built and items like the heater casing were refurbished.
Since the antique electrical system had corroded and likely would not be safe, new lighting instruments had to be custom made to fit the space the original lights were in. Aluminum boxes were shaped for the custom fluorescents. The exterior lights got stripped down as well, polished and rewired. The original lenses were saved for their unique aesthetic.
Restored kitchen with a rebuilt hand pump and new mahogany panels.
What other pieces could not be restored were used as patterns for reproductions to completely respect the original design of the trailer. Brand new mahogany paneling, in the pattern of the original, was installed along all of the walls and ceiling.
The rebuilt entry door and a new screen door with brass screens.
Once the panels were replaced and the aluminum polished to chrome-like brilliance, the cabinets were reinstalled to their former glory. With new wiring run, a new state-of-the-art power station found its home inside. The seating got a more updated and sophisticated look as well, with a camel colored fabric in place of the bright red and white.
The new chic dinette seating and restored table.
The old heater cabinet was completely restored and outfitted with a modern oil heating unit for safety and efficiency. For the final touch a bright, candy apple red stripe was applied to the burnished exterior and the running lights were reinstalled. The classic elegance remains intact in this gorgeous trailer, with modern convenience and technology seamlessly blended in.