From the Archives: 1959 Cape Town to Cairo with caravans!

[zeroland]

The winter 2010 edition of the Overland Journal featured an article on Willy Byam and his 1959 Cape Town to Cairo caravan tour.
It was a fascinating trip with 106 people in convoy. I simply can't imagine 43 vehicles and 106 people in convoy - it must have taken ages to get started in the morning and the average speed must have been walking pace!

I did a bit more research and found a few YouTube video clips, a podcast and photos from the trip:
Read more here

A few photos which I extracted from the archive films:

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

That article was probably my favorite write-up I've ever read in the Journal so far. What an inspiration Willy Byam is.

I've always liked Airstreams and their looks, but after learning about the history of the company and the guy behind it, it made me want one even more.

I passed the magazine along to a good friend who was recently telling me about his love of Airstreams and he's now jonesing for one even more.

Thanks for the extra links

 

[awalter]

Who is Willy.

It's Wally Byam.

There is another excellent book "AIRSTREAM The History of the Land Yacht" by Bryan Burkhart & David Hunt, Chronicle Books.

Great find on that link.

Al

 

[1leglance]

Hey Al, thanks for the book link, I am looking forward to reading that one when I track it down.

zero, thanks for the archive link, the history stuff is so cool as it shows us how much was done before we can along, and with less gear and tech than we have now.

 

[Woodsman]

I have that Airstream book and it is a very interesting read that's chock-full of pics.

 

[awalter]

This is my 1960 Bambi on the beach 11 miles south of El Golfo de Santa Clara, Sonora last year.