Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

Charles Lindbergh, Donald Hall, and Ryan Crew with Red Crown Gasoline and Mobiloil B Banner (1927)

An archival pre-flight promotional photograph taken outside the Ryan Airlines hangar at Dutch Flats, San Diego, in May 1927. Standing in front of the completed Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis, Charles A. Lindbergh in flight attire, Chief Engineer Donald A. Hall Sr. in a business suit, and Ryan mechanics pose behind a large canvas sponsorship banner reading: "NEW YORK-PARIS FLIGHT / CAP. CHARLES LINDBERGH. RYAN MONOPLANE / RED CROWN AVIATION GASOLINE / GARGOYLE MOBILOIL 'B'". In the foreground, rectangular oil shipping tins of Gargoyle Mobiloil B are stacked on the dirt apron, documenting the fuel and lubricant suppliers chosen for the transatlantic flight.