Seen at the RV/MH Hall of Fame. The 1958 Airstream ‘der Kleiner Prinz” is the only 10 foot fully equipped Airstream ever made. A prototype for the European market that was not pursued. The 1958 Airstream Flying Cloud is 22 foot long. Both were built by the Airstream company, an American brand of travel trailer, which are easily recognized by the distinctive shape of their rounded and polished aluminum coachwork. This body shape dates back to the 1930s and is based on designs created by Hawley Bowlus, who had earlier overseen construction of Charles Lindbergh's aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis. Airstream trailers and recreational vehicles are manufactured in Jackson Center, Ohio. The company, now a division of Thor Industries, employs more than 800 people, and is the oldest in the industry. The company was created by Wally Byam who began building trailers out of Masonite in his backyard in Los Angeles during the late 1920s. In 1936, Byam introduced the ‘Airstream Clipper’, which was essentially a rebadged 1935 Bowlus Road Chief, with the door relocated from the front to the side. The design cut down on wind resistance and thus improved fuel efficiency. It was the first of the now familiar sausage-shaped, silver aluminum Airstream trailers. The first Airstream, called the ‘Clipper’ in 1936, was named after the first trans-Atlantic seaplane. Of more than 400 travel trailer builders operating in 1936, Airstream was the sole survivor of the Depression. The RV/MH Hall of Fame is a museum in Elkhart, Indiana that features a variety of historical recreational vehicles from Airstream, Winnebago and other American makers. Founded in 1972 as the Recreational Vehicle/Manufactured Housing Heritage Foundation, the museum opened in 1991 and in 2007, moved into its current location. The foundation is a non-profit organization. The primary building, Founders Hall, is complete with artificial trees and other plants to create a simulated RV campground. The museum features a variety of recreation vehicles dating back 100 years and continuing through the 1980s. The oldest vehicle on display is a 1913 Earl Travel Trailer and is the oldest surviving specimen known. The oldest Winnebago and the smallest Airstream ever built are also to be found in the museum.—Wikipedia
Seen at the RV/MH Hall of Fame. This 1967 Winnebago 19 foot Motorhome was built by Forest City, Iowa based Winnebago Industries. Founded by Forest City businessman John K. Hanson in February 1958, Winnebago Industries, Inc., is an American manufacturer of motorhomes. It is based in Forest City, Iowa. On June 4, 2018, the company expanded into motorboat manufacturing with the acquisition of Chris-Craft Corporation. Winnebago has also manufactured light-to-medium utility vehicles as well as other products. The company is named after Winnebago County, where it is located. The county is named after the Native American tribe who have historically lived in the area. During the 1970s and 1980s, Winnebago Industries depended on Native American history and traditions in naming their products, for example ‘Chieftain’ and ‘Brave.’ They also used Native American iconography and patterns in their designs and period advertisements. The RV/MH Hall of Fame is a museum in Elkhart, Indiana that features a variety of historical recreational vehicles from Airstream, Winnebago and other American makers. Founded in 1972 as the Recreational Vehicle/Manufactured Housing Heritage Foundation, the museum opened in 1991 and in 2007, moved into its current location. The foundation is a non-profit organization. The primary building, Founders Hall, is complete with artificial trees and other plants to create a simulated RV campground. The museum features a variety of recreation vehicles dating back 100 years and continuing through the 1980s. The oldest vehicle on display is a 1913 Earl Travel Trailer and is the oldest surviving specimen known. The oldest Winnebago and the smallest Airstream ever built are also to be found in the museum.—Wikipedia
