TIGHAR
Amelia Earhart Search Forum => General discussion => Topic started by: Matt Revington on May 31, 2017, 12:13:18 PM
-
If I recall correctly in regard to artifact 2-2-V-1 the main objection to it being a good candidate for the window patch was that the faint ALCLAD stamp was more consistent with post 1940 labels than what was known of the prewar stamping, one of the problems was a lack of examples of prewar sheets.
By chance I have found that the Airstream Trailers (those classic, shiny aluminum camping trailers) that were built post-WWII used 24ST, 0.32 Alclad as their exterior skins. It is a little harder to confirm but it appears it was also used in the prewar models, the first Airstreams came out in 1936 and were built until the war effort monopolized the aluminum production and then started again after the war. There are many diehard Airstream fans online and with several forums dedicated to restoring the older models. I have been going through some sites to see if any pictures of old models in the process of rebuilding reveal stamping ( the exteriors like that of the Electra have been buffed and any stamping would have been erased). I have attached a photo of a later model (a 1950s or 60s model) where under the insulation on the lower right the stamping can be seen. I have left an appeal on one forum for users to send photos of any prewar model restorations . If anyone knows of someone who owns an airstream of the correct vintage we would have a good source to verify the types of stamps used by ALCOA prewar.
-
People on the Airstream forum are trying to help, one guy sent me this picture morning unfortunately it was from a 1955 model he restored. Interestingly the design of the trailers was inspired by aircraft like the Electra, the original Airstream designs were done by Hawley Bowlus who helped build the Spirit of St Louis.