A Lockheed Air Express at United Airport (Bob Hope Airport), owned by famous pilot Colonel Roscoe Turner. Turner was known as a serious racing pilot, a Hollywood stunt pilot and showman. In 1930 he took on a new and unexpected flight partner--a lion. A year before, Turner had secured sponsorship by the Gilmore Oil Company, who had a lion as a corporate logo (see rear of plane), and realizing the potential publicity for both him and his sponsor, Turner acquired a lion cub and began flying with him. "Gilmore," the lion became a well-known national figure and, like Turner's uniform, one of the aviator's trademarks. Gilmore was on aboard when Turner set two transcontinental speed records in May 1930, one traveling eastward and the other westward. Turner flew from Los Angeles to New York in 15 hours, 37 minutes. The journey back to California took 18 hours, 42 minutes. To celebrate his achievements, Turner decided to set yet another record, this time across three countries. Photo dated: June 14, 1930.
Bob Hope Airport (Los Angeles County, Calif.) Airplanes--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Lockheed aircraft Airports--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Endurance flights--California--Burbank (Los Angeles County) Turner, Roscoe,1895-1970 Burbank (Los Angeles County, Calif.) Lockheed Aircraft Corporation
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