*NEW* LaunchPoint Caravan

New Caravan

March(?) 2010: Chris Bessent arranged the purchase of a cheap caravan that can be turned into the new launch point caravan. Steve Barber and Alan Saunders and others have stripped the interior of all its furniture and fittings ready for the the re-fit.

Re-fit plan

The aim is to get the caravan refitted during Summer 2010, ready for use in October 2010.

• Fit new floor to caravan: 3/4" plywood or OSB (Existing floor (chipboard?) is very spongy and won't last long)
• If necessary, cross-beams can be fitted below the floor. Either wooden or metal (welded to caravan's perimeter chassis)
• Corner legs to be checked and mended / replaced if necessary.
• Check jockey wheel. Fix broken bracket.
• Reinforcing frame to be fitted around the doorway - wood or preferably steel. (people pull themselves up into the caravan by pulling heavily on the sides - leading to distrortion and cracks)
• Handles to be fitted to the outside for ease of moving the caravan. Strongly recommend fitting structural elements (preferably welded steel) to transfer forces to the chassis of the caravan, not just bolt them to the flimsy walls.
• Check: Is the caravan weather tight? If not, fix the leaking areas. (This cravan will probably be stored outside)
• DECISION: Which way round should the cravan be orientated in use? (Facing up the field / across the field?)
• Obtain and fit worktop, and legs. Include cut-out for the signal/timing box of electronics. Would be nice to have a removable perspex top - notices could be put underneath this.
• DECISION: Work out where the following items are to be located - bearing in mind ergonomics, and the centre of gravity of the finished/loaded caravan. Ideally the caravan will only have slight nose weight to allow for easy positioning.
• Obtain and build/install racking / shelving / cupboard for parachutes (probably best located over the axle for CofG reasons)
• Obtain and build/install shelving / cupboards for: forms, pens, paperwork, flight manuals, barograph, binoculars, cushions & packing, etc.
• Obtain or build a storage box for lead ballast weights. Again, probably best to be over the axle. Needs to be very strong and located above a main chassis rail.
• Obtain / build and fit seating.
• Fit notice boards to wall.