1935 Torpedo

[Irmo Atomics]

It's not my design, but I haven't seen anyone else do one lately... I'm going to take the basic shape of Wally Byam's 1935 Torpedo and scale it down to teardrop size. I've started on the frame, which was a Jayco pop-up measuring 76" wide and 80" long. The windows won't be the same, but the front curve, roof line and rear duck tail should be about the same. I might put a rear facing scoop on the roof for the A/C. I know that careful planning is a key to success, but I prefer not to think too far ahead on this project. We'll see how it turns out.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Thats really cool!

[finleycraft]

Very cool, looks like we have a similar start to the build My frame is 76x105, Where did you get the sheeting for the underside?

[Irmo Atomics]

My frame is 76 x 91.5 after I added the curved part to the front. I used Thermo Ply on the bottom. It's a light weight structural sheet that is 1/8th inches thick and comes in three different strengths: Green, Red and Blue. I used the blue because that's all that was in stock. The blue weighs about 14 lbs/sheet and the red weighs about 11 lbs. It's made by a company called Berry Plastics, you might have to call the company to find a supplier near you. I've started cutting my profile template today; I'll add it to my gallery.

[101camper]

Bob,
What an interesting design choice, one that I do not remember being re-created on this forum. Do you plan to have a rear hatch & galley?

[angib]

I have done a replica body design for the full-size Torpedo for someone who is serious about it, and able to build it, so maybe we'll see another one of those one day soon.

A long time ago I did a design like this to go on a HF trailer.




Incidentally, the joints between the curving top and the curving sidewall are a real nightmare, so this sort of design is not to be undertaken lightly as a build might stall at that point, due to the builder's sudden insanity....

[cuyeda]

Nice design Angib!

Just in case folks are not familiar with the Wally Byam torpedo:

[newlifestyle]

Here are some more photos that I have found of the Torpedo.

[cuyeda]

OMG! I have seen other pictures of the Torpedo, but never seen the actual plans! Can you tell us if this is an original plan, or did someone draw these up after the build?

edit add: Ok I found the original poster of the plans. Nice attempt in replicating the Torpedo! My "want to build" project list keeps changing often. What can I say, I'm a dreamer!

[angib]

Here is an advert for the plans that trailer was built from.



And here are a couple of other trailers that look like they were built from the same plans.





And that black one with the 'flames' on the front really did attract the wrong (or the right, depending on your point of view) sort of 'gal'. It turns out your grandmother was no better than she should have been......

[prohandyman]

Hmmmm...after I finish the current Metzendorf clone project I might try this design. The lines are very cool and retro. Angib... do you have the dimensions of the original? I have the perfect frame for this project, and already have some aluminum for it. I even have a source for some round windows.
Bob...I am going to watch your threads closely with interest!!

[newlifestyle]

Here are some more photos. Check my album for plans that will not fit here.









In 1935 Dr. Holman, Sr. bought plans for five dollars for a travel trailer from the Airstream Trailer Company. From these plans he built a trailer that was declared by Airstream in their publication "Caravaner" in the spring of 1984 as the oldest known Airstream trailer in the world.



Not a Torpedo but it looks cool.



Another cool trailer.











Of course, if you are short on funds, here's another one I have found.



A pickup truck conversion.



Something for the children.

[Irmo Atomics]

Got back from three days in Chicago yesterday, what an amazing place to visit!
Denise, I do plan on building a rear hatch and galley. One of my limitations with my project is the existing frame and axle location that I'm using; I had concerns about the weight distribution with the galley and cabinets, etc in the rear. So, I'm going to use the old pop-up's sliders that allowed you to roll the bed frames out - and mount my galley on them. When traveling, the galley will roll forward and lock in place for optimum weight distribution, when camping, it'll roll back to the rear. We'll see how that works.

newlifestyle, those are the plans that I found, too: http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/memor ... index.html
Another limitation that I have with my frame is the length of the front curve that I can add. My version might have to have a little shorter nose and the width to length scale will have to be different.

anjib, thanks, you put an interesting perspective on what my paint scheme might be!

[danlott]

Wow, this person deserves an award for the best photoshop picture ever.



Dan

[SeaFlea]

newlifestyle,

do you recall where you found the pic of the TD w/ the corrigated roof?
I was hoping to find additional pics of the galley & perhaps the interior.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Charlie