by Lewis M.
My father's love and obsession with
Lockheed aircraft began in the late 1930s when he was hired by Mid-Continent
Airlines and checked out on the Lockeed-10 Electra. During this period, he met
fellow Mid-Continent pilot Tony Levier (later a Lockheed test pilot) and forged
a friendship that would last almost 50 years. In 1946, at the urging of Tony
Levier, Dad purchased a Lockheed P-38 from War Assets for $1,250 and
immediately outfitted it for racing. He successfully crossed the finish line of
the 1946 Bendix Trophy Race, even after passing out due to oxygen equipment
failure and flying off course for 20 minutes.
In 1950, just before his wedding
day, Tony Levier offered Dad a test pilot job with Lockheed. For whatever
reason, Dad chose an airline career instead. Prior to ushering in the Jet Age,
Dad had many hours in the Lockheed Super Constellation and the Lockheed L-88
Electra. One of Dad's best experiences was an invite by Tony Levier to visit in
California and tour the mock-up of the SST L-2000.
Lockheed Martin remains in
our family, as my wife Jody enters her 39th year with the company. Dad never
got to meet her, if he had, conversation around the dinner table would have
been exciting. Happy 100th to Lockheed Martin!
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| My love and obsession with Lockheed Martin aircraft began early. |
