I've had his website/blog bookmarked for some time now. Great site with lotsa "he-man" related stuff.
That's a great photo of Gilmore, I've never seen that one before. I just finished reading a biography on Roscoe Turner and there were some great stories in there of Gilmore, Roscoe walking around with him in New York, one cab ride was particularly funny, he would even have Gilmore walking through the house during parties which would have most of the guests freeze in place. When Gilmore was younger, Roscoe would fly with the cat in his Lockheed Air Express, some animal rights groups complained that Gilmore would get killed if he had to bail out, so the parachute company made a harness for Gilmore and Roscoe figured if he had to bail out, he could just snap the parachute (which had a static line) to Gilmore and then he could just toss Gilmore over the side of the open cockpit! It's a pretty good book and really shows how times have changed! http://www.amazon.com/Roscoe-Turner...iation/dp/1560987987/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
The lion in this photo is NOT Gilmore "the Flyin' Lion" nor does this have anything to do with the Gilmore Oil Co. You are correct that it is a famous picture, posted many a time on many a forum and often claimed to be Gilmore. The photo is of a husband and wife team that used lions in their act at the numerous "Wall of Death" shows.
That is a great book. Roscoe sure led an interesting life and he and Gilmore sure shared a special bond. Gilmore only flew with Roscoe for eight months (April-Dec. 1930) but the two were associated with each other for... well, they still are! Attached are some photos I have from Gilmore's first flight up until his last...
I saw a Wall of Death show at the Minn. State Fair back in '73. Those motorcycle riders were amazing to watch, going round and round inside that big tube. A great display of centrificial force.
I used to see the Rett Rotton show back when I was doing the Harley thing. He would ride real high and snach dollars out of folks hands.
The lion would snatch dollars and hands from folks. That picture is funny, like it wasn't exiting enough without a frekin' Lion.
This past weekend at Northwest Motorfest in Boise, ID the American Hellriders performed. It was awesome, probably the highlight of the car show. www.americanhellriders.com
What about the little roadster? What was it? (looks to be a shortened, narrowed 1920s roadster of sorts...anybody know?
Let's bring this old post back up for those who may have missed it. Check out the web site link for more cool cars and lions. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Thank you for bumping this... as I'm also into bikes, I have had the opportunity to see The Wall of Death a few times as different rallies. Definitely a sight to see and easy to appreciate what goes into it.
The Jalopy Journal
