Decommissioned

2009 was the last year for us with The Perambulator. We donated its carcass to another group of burners. We had many offers from groups like Burning Man's own post office and DMV. We hope the new owners have the skill and drive to bring it to life again. And that we'll see it on The Playa in 2010. We'll be driving our new art car Milktropolis. You'll find it's build up here.

The Perambulator packed and ready to go with it's new owners. Goodbye.

Success!

~

Into This Good Night

We failed our first attempt at a night license. "Not enough lights" we were told. But they wanted us to qualify, so they gave us another chance. Everyone pitched in (except for yours truly who was suffering from an early case of heat stroke) and added all the spare lights we had in camp. Second time at the DMV and they passed us. Here's what it looked on it's first night journey onto the playa.

Perambulating About to Visit our Steampunk Brethren

Members of The Society visit The Steampunk Tree. The Baron, The Baroness, The Amazing Leslie and Professor Fate visible.

The Gang's All Here!

Everyone had arrived. Camp was set at 3:37 and Intertidal. The Perambulator was registered (for daytime use). So out we went to check out the playa. The term "barnacle" is first coined. Newly defined as "A bike riding burner that attaches themselves to an art car for purposes of mobility, socialization and thirst-quenching. They are sometimes seen in chains that increase the chances for disaster and bodily harm." Seen below are barnacles Mr. Alchemystic, AP Bugger and Professor Fate.

Perambulator!

So, there are lots of pictures of our 'art car' in various states of construction. We've seen it go from lowly golf cart to fantastic flying machine. But this is the only known picture of it after completion and before the harsh desert had it's way with it, and us.

Good Morning

The Amazing Leslie and I arrived at Society headquarters at 2:30 in the am after a long slow journey. Just in time to see The Man prematurely burn and the lunar eclipse. Everybody else had spent the previous day setting up camp. Thanks guys! Now help us put this damn Perambulator together.

And Away We Go!

Packing day(s). Everyone showed up at the workshop to coordinate gear and make sure we had all the supplies The Society was going to need for the 9-10 day excursion on the playa. The Perambulator takes it's place on the trailer. What a lot of stuff!



AP waves his adieu. Super Doug and Jana are his co-pilots for the long journey. Their mission: find us a great spot to set up The Society.
The Baron and Baroness with Tbone rounding out their team. Their mission: Nearly 590 liters of Reno's finest.
LG and Mr. Alchemystic have their driving faces on. We'll see you guys tomorrow!

Dress Rehearsal

Looking quite weird in the suburbs.

Balloon Fever

The Baron of all and I worked last night on the lights for the balloon. They turned out great! Here's a little movie to show the disco action. It was hard to get a good shot but it gives you an idea.

Can't Stop Now

We started Saturday morning with a long list of stuff "to do" and by Sunday evening we had accomplished much of it as you can see. Of most importance was erecting the balloon and covering it with fabric. The camp shower was also finished (not for the modest!). An amazingly productive weekend. Those involved should be proud. Just 7 days to go!

Saturday. What did I tell you?

I believe it was that we were going to work on the upholstery and balloon. We kicked ass.

The Devil is in the details

Talking time is over. It's time to put up (detaily things) or shut up. All the bits and bobs are falling in to place and the Pram is beginning to look respectable. Take a look for yourself.
Saturday we make the balloon and upholster.

Oh the Humanity

I picked up the balloon part templates the other day. Ken was gracious enough to help us out by cutting them out on his work CAD router. Each part is half of a ring. The drawing above shows the final design. Now we just need to cut out four halves of each ring.

12:30 am

The Amazing Leslie pulled out all the stops on Friday night. She started her first coat just as the sun was setting and didn't pack it in until the wee hours. Our Incredible Leslie painted most of the ship parts of the project. All of the trim was given a dark reddish brown with gold undertones. And the body was painted a lighter brown color. It's mostly done but needs a little 'noodling'. Mostly to age it a little. Good job gentle woman.

A Mid-Summer Night's Work

This seemingly simple photo reveals all sorts of recent Pram advances. First- the second wing has been covered in cans (need just three more cans!) The Amazing Leslie and I knocked it out on Sunday after everyone else went home. We finished at 10pm. Second- The front fan has been installed. It has it's 12v motor and just needs to be wired up to the battery. Third- The Baron had the idea that we should have a mister on board. Today I figured out a simple way to do it. I cut a hole in the 'hood' and dropped a pressure sprayer (green thing on left) into the hole on to it's mount. Add water, pump up the pressure, squeeze the trigger, enjoy!

Tick, Tock,Tick, Tock

Time is slipping away. With roughly five busy weeks to go, work on the Perambulator is proceeding briskly. As The Baron said at the end of Sunday "I did more today than I did the last two times I was here." I think that goes for the rest of us as well. The Baroness and The Amazing Leslie attached the can bottoms that AP had cut to the wing. The Baron prepped the second wing for the metal details. I the Prof attached the copper rail along the wings. There was plenty of sculpting and sanding as well. A long day followed by a swim and margaritas.

Our ship is steaming ahead

Here are a few quick shots of the work that we ( The Baron, Baroness, Leslie and P. Fate) got done this Sunday. As you can see above, the back has been sheathed and looks nearly seaworthy.


The fifth wheel was finally attached and works well. Above is the beginnings of the "rudder" that will hide it.
Here is a shot of the stern.
Here is a picture of the dash with steel detailing and some gauges. Below is a picture of the front with both wings attached. Well, whaddaya know!- P. Fate

Lofty Ideas

For those that weren't part of the conversation the other day, here are some of the balloon references I was talking about. I particularly like the one with all the sails but don't think it's practical for playa use.

Workshop Update

So I thought that some of you who hadn't made it out to the workshop in a while might like to see how far we've come. Above is a picture of the cockpit from the navigator's side. Lots of gleaming gauges and a calliope for musical enjoyment. Below is a picture of the passenger compartment. I threw in some pillows to help visualize the final effect. Looking comfy.
And here is the Perambulator in full view. As you can see we got lots of the bodywork on and are moving towards more of the detail work. I managed to get one of the forward wings attached last night. I think the effect is good and it will look quite cool covered in aluminum can bottoms.