Turns out that somebody shot a 48 minute movie of the classic seven month 1959 Capetown to Cairo Airstream Caravan. It's been posted to Youtube. Parts of it are a bit hokey. A lot of it is very interesting.
Some of the earlier Airstreams didn't even have bathrooms and black tanks. They just took a crap in a bucket. Hardcore indeed. Me and my fancy composting toilet, I've got it made.
One of my camping buddies is Wally's nephew and was on Capetown to Cairo as staff. He and a mechanic did the trip in a truck with an Airstream camper on it. One of two made.
Needless to say he has some funny and interesting stories.