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| NC667K 1929 Stearman Model 4 |
The Richfield Oil Company created their own advertising medium with the radio program the Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen in the 1930‘s & 1940‘s. The weekly radio program was about a young pilot named Jimmie Allen who was a high-flying, crime-solving, international air-racing 16 year old.
The idea for this boy-pilot came from two World War I flying aces, Bob Burtt and Bill Moore and their air adventure series was sold to Richfield Oil and Skelly Oil. Aviation was a growing trend in the 30's and radio was the perfect medium to promote it as aspiring aviators flocked in droves to their local Richfield and Skelly Service Stations to obtain their "flying lessons" and request the weekly printed newsletter. There was even a movie released by Paramount Pictures in 1936 called "The Sky Parade" about Jimmie's airborne antics.
Jimmie Allen was a messenger at the Kansas City Airport being mentored by veteran pilot and WWI ace Speed Robertson. Along with Speed and mechanic Flash Lewis, mysterious encounters and sky-high adventures ensued to the delight of young listeners everywhere, including Mickey Rooney and Shirley Temple who were members. Jimmie's immense popularity inspired the creation of a Jimmie Allen Flying Club and it offered a number of great premiums. Over half a million members received the club's weekly newspaper, as well as games, cards, wings, emblems, patches, flight charts, and personalized letters from Jimmie himself. In fact, they could even buy model airplane kits at their local Richfield gas stations and build them to participate in the Jimmie Allen air races. More than half a million fans showed up to watch young contestants race their model airplanes.
Stearman NC667K, Serial Number 4007 is currently the oldest Model 4 and was delivered to the Richfield Oil Company on September 29, 1929. The aircraft was flown exclusively for Richfield by their chief pilot, Dudley Steele, often with actor Murray McLean, who portrayed Jimmie Allen, in the front cockpit on promotional tours.
Jim Kimball Enterprises has undertaken the project of restoring the Richfield Oil Model 4 to its original condition. They specialize in several areas of aviation; antique aircraft restoration, replicas design and construction, kits, and they produce the Pitts Model 12. Kimball Enterprises has restored two previous Model 4’s and they are one of the premiere restoration facilities in the world.
Once complete, the Richfield Oil Stearman will return to its important public relations work. By linking aviation's past to its future, the hope is that N667K can once again ignite a passion for flying in a whole new generation.
Jimmie Allen Flying Cadet Code
I pledge myself...to keep mentally, morally, and physically fit. To do all in my power to make America first in the air. To promote American commercial, transport and military aviation. To work for the best interests of the Jimmie Allen Flying Club
Actor Murray McLean who portrayed Jimmie Allen flew in the front cockpit on promotional tours for Richfield and the Jimmie Allen air races.
Richfield Aviation Products
When Richfield's aviation department was disbanded in 1937 it had owned nine airplanes, had flown 2,100,000 miles and had carried thousands of passengers with a record of no accidents-a mark which has not been equalled by any other oil company.
This beacon route antedated the federal airways system and was used extensively by both private pilots and pacific air transport.
Chief Pilot Dudley Steele
Steele helped various communities on the west coast to establish airports, handled the gasoline arrangements for Richfield at various air races including the Nationals at Cleveland for several years. In one year Richfield was used in 95 percent of all participating planes-and campaigned for more private flying. The aircraft was the Official Ship for the American Legion, for which Steele was the Chairman of Aeronautics.
WWI pilot for the Army Air Corp, Steele was hired by Richfield Oil as manager of their aviation department in 1926. Under his supervision Richfield, using its own funds, established the first Aerial Beacons. A route which extended from San Diego to Vancouver.