Lot 179 - 1947 Curtis Wright Model 5

• Incredibly rare
• Versatile Caravan
• Beautiful condition

Holiday accommodations all booked up, no matter what time of year? Why not go touring instead? Fancy starting a glamping business or need high-end guest accommodation? This stunning American trailer could be the answer, fun, freedom, comfort, and style. Offering superb high-quality accommodation, this Curtis Wright has the flexibility to either, use for holidays away or as extra living space at home as either as additional guest accommodation or home office. This represents great value when you consider that there is no need for planning permission or expensive foundations.

So, it looks a bit like an Airstream? Well, there is good reason for that. Wally Byam built his first travel trailer in 1929 and founded the company we now know as Airstream in 1931. A boom of more than 400 travel trailer companies started in the 1930s, but they soon trickled out. Only Airstream was left standing and was already well known for the first riveted aluminium monocoque trailer, the Clipper. Business was booming until World War II, when the factory had to close due to wartime demands for all available aluminium. During the war, Wally worked several jobs in the aviation industry, including as a certified manufacturing engineer and production supervisor at Curtis Wright Industries. When the war ended in 1945, Wally persuaded the management at Curtis Wright to let him design and manufacture a line of travel trailers and here we have one example. Wally parted ways with Curtis Wright and re-opened Airstream, with his eyes planted as firmly as ever on creating more of these ultimate vehicles for adventure.

’Tinkerbell’ is ready to use and enjoy. Its high specification ensures a comfortable experience, and, from our own exploits, you are bound to attract a lot of interest, especially with its polished, rivetted, aircraft construction aluminium exterior. And there are no worries as to whether the weather is hot or cool as the double skinned insulated coachwork keeps things cool in summer and warm during winter. Sleeping up to four, this trailer is deceptively spacious and has a walk-in wet room that includes, shower, basin and toilet. The living area consists of a round table and seating at the front that easily converts into a round bed (very cool). There are worktops with a gas hob, sink, oven, fridge, with cupboards above and cupboards below. There is extra seating for four at the rear that may be converted into that extra bed for a further two. There are plenty of modern power points whilst warm air heating and a multi-fuel stove keeps things cosy during chilly days and nights. The interior is well lit with Art Deco lights, LED lighting and mood lighting at the front.

The trailer further benefits from a separate awning, front and rear privacy windows, and blinds for the side windows. A solar panel keeps the recently replaced leisure battery topped up whilst there are also 240 volt and mains water plugs. Fresh and grey water tanks are also fitted. The exterior's polished aluminium aircraft construction monocoque style body is in very good order for a 75-year-old. The vendor reports that towing this lightweight trailer is a delight, sitting on a modern galvanised axle with brakes. For security, a Bulldog wheel clamp, locking hitch and Tracker are included. If you wish to travel and accommodate with a difference, then here it is.