Reproduction Wings

[tylerbes]

Well I am at the point in my restoration where Wings need to be made. I have tried to buy a set of 42X9's (original size) but the price for an unrestored set is through the roof.

I have access to a full machine shop and I am considering starting to produce reproduction factory correct wings. This means the panels wont just be folded but will have the actual form rolled lines in them. I have a rolling stand and the ability to make the proper dies. The goal is to make the wings look EXACTLY as they did originally. Same materials, same thicknesses, same construction, everything.

I will be making a set for myself and depending on how it goes offering them for sale.

I would like to hear from you to see how much interest there might be buying these wings. There will be some significant investment or my part so they would probably be $300 a set or so.

Also if anyone has a damage wing I would be interested in either buying it from you to use as a template OR I would be willing to make you a set for free if you give me the wing. I DON't care about the condition as long as all the parts are there. If I don't feel its doable I would gladly send the wing/wings back to you.

I am currently interested in making 42X9 set for my 64 Astrodome. I have some very detailed pictures of one, but a sample would be great. So a damaged or whole wing to use as a template would be fantastic. If any of you are interested and have a different size that you need made... let me know. There have some very impressive efforts in the past but I have never seen a set that really match the originals. Its time someone made these things as they originally looked.

Thank you and hope to hear from you
Tyler

www.nastyshasty.blogspot.com

[universalexports]

you can put me down for a set if you start production.

[tylerbes]

Universal

What year and model shasta are you looking to get wings for? Do you know if they were originally 42 X 9's?

Thanks for letting me know you are interested. I will be working on the die set over the next couple weeks.

Tyler

[universalexports]

yeah, it is a 59 Shasta deluxe, it originally had 42 x 9 wings, but I have a pretty nice set of 36 x 8 wings on it now.

[lellyann68]

I would definately be interested in a set for my '67

[lurayfarmer]

Tyler - I have a '63 Shasta Airflyte. Until a few days ago I had an original set of wings on it, not perfect but very decent. I had to move the camper to make room for some contractors and in the process one wing was damaged. (I should have taken them off to move the camper around!) I would be interested in a repro set, and if it would help you, I would lend you the undamaged wing for a pattern. I have attached a photo of the camper being pulled by my 1960 Chevy.

Bill Shields
Luray, VA

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[tylerbes]

Universal

I have good news for you. I spoke with Jim Young, a frequent poster on the forum. He as generously offered to send me 1 of his wings that needs to be rebuilt. I plan to make a full set of templates from this wing. These should be a perfect match for you delux. Keep in mind this is a wood core wing with the wrap around tail 42 X 9. This should be correct for your delux as well. I will keep you informed.

[tylerbes]

Lelly-
I took a look at the photo of your Shasta. I will do a little research and see what the 67's had for wings. Hopefully we can work something out. Thank you very much for your reply. If you happen to know the dimensions or have some photo's of the same year and model with wings please let me know
[e-mail]
Tyler

Bill-
WHAT A SHAME! I am sure you were fuming over that one. What size are these? Well I would love to have a look at the damaged wing and make templates from it. Like I said previously if you are willing to send me the damaged wing I would be happy to make you replacement. Or if you would prefer (and if it is possible) I would repair your wing and return it to you after I make templates. If you have any photos of the damaged wing I would be very interested in seeing them. Feel free to email me at
[e-mail]

Thanks
Tyler

[jeajsa]

tyler I would be interseted in a pair for my 63 airflyte. Thanks John

[youngfd]

My wing had a 3 inch slot cut out in the middle. To save weight? Anyone else have wings that look like this?

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[vikx]

My wings have Styrofoam centers. Anybody else?

[tylerbes]

Jeajsa (John) -
Well you might be in luck, I am working with lurayfarmer (Bill) as you saw above. If I am able to get his damaged wing I should be able to make reproductions for your exact year and make. Thanks for the response I will keep in touch and let you know how it goes. Feel free to shoot me an eail at [e-mail]. I will start keeping a list of folks who want sets and what year they are looking for... sounds like there is plenty of interest so I think this endevor of mine will be worth the effort.


TO All:
Anyone who might have seen the slot shown in the photo from Youngfd please let me/him know. It certainly does look original, but again I am going for accuracy in these reproductions and I would like to know if that core is original with the slot. Jim's wings are off of a 59 and are 42X9 with the wrap around.

[tylerbes]

vikx

styrofoam cores... that is a new one on me. What year and model?

Tyler

[shastabear1]

Tyler
I have a 66 1500 and according to the 'other Shasta site', they say my model should have 8x36 wings....HOWEVER, judgin from the unweathered area of my camper where the wings used to be, I get a measurement more like 7x 27 which Im thinkin is a bit more realistic in size for my 'toaster' type body. I am VERY much interested in a set of repros....since I rightly cannot fathom payin upwards 0f $300 on ebay fer them.

Thanks
Randy

[tylerbes]

Thanks Shasta bear. You are actially the first person who has come to be with the 7X27's. Which is good, I am trying to get most of the year's and styles.

I dont have anyone who has offered a damaged one in that size yet so that I can make some templates. However I will do some research, keep in touch wiht you and add you to the list. Thank you very much for your response. If you have any questions or happen to come across some good detailed photos of the wings for your camper shoot them my way.

Thanks
Tyler

Oh if your interested in seeing my restoration work:
www.nastyshasty.blogspot.com

[universalexports]

tylerbes,

have you looked at this website, it has some good info on wing years and size, etc. www.freewebs.com/kc8jwa/wings.htm

[Bow_Tied]

Oct 3, 2011 20:09:16 GMT -5 universalexports said:

tylerbes,

have you looked at this website, it has some good info on wing years and size, etc. www.freewebs.com/kc8jwa/wings.htm

That site says

A bit of wings history: About 1958 Shasta began placing wings on some models, such as the 16' Airflyte. These first wings were a mix of both wood and aluminum. They were also made with a smooth surface

But in efforts to get verification on that I got contradiction:
vintageshasta.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wings&action=display&thread=538

So, while I guess it is posible early wings were not creased, no one here has stepped forward to say so. Maybe there are no '58 owners her? Or maybe there was only one plant that did it different, who knows. Just thought I'd throw this up here for anyone reading that link which is overall great info.


I might be also interested in a set of the early wings for my '59. I had started to make my own and ran into the creased/flat dilema and lost steam. Can you expand on the materials of construction you intend to use? I am particularily interested in the final assembly weight as these wings only attach to the sheet metal for some models. Thanks!!

[tylerbes]

Universal/Bow_Tied

I have been to the freewebs site MANY times myself. And it is a fantastic reference. Like Bow_Tied said, I have also seen some contradictions. So I plan on using as much information from the site but there is nothing like looking at a set of original wings. its really a first hand account of how these were made.

Another issue with the freewebs site is there is a ton of detailed information missing... Like What gauge (thickness) of aluminum was used, and what grade of aluminum. I have the resources to get all of this information. I have access to a material analyzer that can test (nondestructive) a sample of metal and tell me exactly what type of aluminum was used.

So to answer your question on materials and construction. My plan is to duplicate as closes as possible ALL of the aspects of the original wings. Material thickness, sizes, rolled rib sizes, fastener types and sizes (nails, screws, rivets). My goal is if you would to put two wings next to each other, one of mine and one original, the only way you could tell them apart would be that mine looks new and shiny and the original is rotten and oxidized.

I am doing quite a bit of research into this, and have started the tooling design to create the original ribbing that you see on the faces of the wings.

I think Youngfd, is another good example of the importance of orignial parts. His wings look VERY old and original to his camper, however they have reliefs in the wood that are not on the freewebs site... gotta find out if that is how they were made, it makes sense to reduce the weight.

Thanks for your great input

Tyler

[Bow_Tied]

Thanks for the reply Tyler.

You have probably already seen this discussion I started: vintageshasta.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wings&action=display&thread=632 and this is why I am concerned with weight - no bracing. If I ever remove the internal panels in the wing area I would surely add a brace or two, but not sure that is going to happen just for that.

That being said, I am concerned that the original size of screw may not be effective in a worn out 50 year old set of holes. This makes me want to explore some sort of anchor system, such as a anchor plug, or the like to ensure the wings stay put - this could lead to a non-stock screw size. Maybe you have other ideas? I wanted to bring it up as this could be a concern for any of your customers with the early models that may face the same thing. Crappy to get a nice set of new wings and they fall off.

[tylerbes]

Bow_Tied

I think you have an honest concern... so in your camper the screws for the wings didnt go into the wood frame... AHHH the Shasta quality department taking another day off! THey SHOULD go into the wood frame.

I think you have a good idea with the anchors. Without access to the back side of the panel and without wanting to make a huge hole you would probably be stuck with the plastic push in anchors . Seems kinda wimpy, but i think you would be suprised how much they would really bite into the aluminum when you put the screw in. Plus the would basically self seal. You would want ones with a flange on the front face so they dont push all the way in. I woudl do a test on a piece of scrap aluminum and see how much pull strength you get.

Or you could probably go with larger screws and a really course thread to bite into the aluminum (proably a safer option). Also if you can find a spot where there is a stud behind the skin you could add an extra screw or two... kinda a sin on a really nice set but if its done well its better than loosing them. I think you are looking for 58-60 style wings which are wood core. I can lightne them up quite a bit for from the originals if you desired. I have been thinking of an idea for doing this and have come up with something that will give alot of strenght but take out most of the wood.

Attached is a picture of what the structure of later wings much lighter that the wood versions I hoep to duplicate these as well... you could use this style but its not correct for your year.

Tyler

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[ModernMe]

Hi Tyler,

You can add me to the list of needing a set of wings. I've got a 1966 Super. Not even wings in bad shape on mine, so I don't have any measurements. But there are other members here with the same trailer, so I'm hoping someone will post what size is correct.

Thanks for taking on this project. I'm looking forward to your progress.

Thanks,
ModernMe

[tylerbes]

Thanks Modern Me.
Will add you to the list and see what I can dig up on the 66 super. Honestly not a model I am familiar with.

Tyler

[universalexports]

my plan is to,,, (since I need to replace the paneling inside anyways)
I am going to add some 1x2 braces inside the wall, drill a half inch countersunk hole (for the nut inside the camper) and bolt them in with 1/4 inch bolts. should be rock solid.

with the bolt cut to the perfect length, and a countersunk nut I can put the paneling back on and hide it.

although,,, it would not look bad with a couple of chrome acorn nuts on the walls on the inside.
this would eliminate someone having to remove the walls and add bracing inside.





and here is the stainless 1/4 inch bolts I am using now, I polished them so they look like chrome.

[tylerbes]

Well you should have plently of strength and it will give you that industrial look! Nice.

Those must be the wongs you mentioned... any idea what they are off of?

[universalexports]

no, but they are the 8x36 that came out on the smaller campers I think.

[blu26ovl]

Tyler, my 69 compact wings have styrofoam cores also. 7x27

Brent

[tylerbes]

Universal

Yeah those are going to look dinky on your camper! Well I will keep you posted and see what we can do. I have three people interested in 42X9 sets for 59 campers, and it looks like I will be getting templates. I think I am going to be busy this winter just fine by me.

[tylerbes]

Blu

Thanks for the info. So styro-core, and the outer skin is aluminum? Could you share some photos if you have them? It makes sense. Styrofoam was becoming popular at that time as a packing material and for other uses. Its light, cheep, and rigid and doesnt rot. I am sure it would be possible to duplicate these as well.... as long as they are not plastic on the outside. I am assuming yours are in good shape?

Thanks again

[Vintageshopnut]

I'd be interested in a set if you make the 8" x 36"'s. I've got phantom wings now...PO must have sold the original wings just before I bought the trailer so I can clearly see the outlines of what once was.

[vikx]

My Styro cores are original from a 1968. I removed a rivet just to see what they were made of. The skin is the crisscross pattern with the creases. Personally, I like the aluminum framed Wings. They seem strong and very light weight. They have the same skin.

The Deluxe had the big 42" wings with a styro core. However, they seemed to be rebuilt by the po. I added framing to support the wings during the build. VK