Quote:
Originally Posted by BifRayRock
There have been a number of Bob's Air Mail Posts, the first of which might be http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=7493 Since that 2012-post additional information has come to light.
A Building Records Search for 5453 Wilshire reveals that Sorrell's Auto and Finance Inc., of 5514 Wilshire obtained a permit for an "office" in 1932. An "A V Spencer" then obtained a permit for a gas station in '33. Another permit was obtained in 1934 for a gas pump "canopy" and the size of the building apparently says in cursive "aeroplane." There is a 1936 CD listing for A V Spencer at 5453 Wilshire and a '38 CD listing for Bob's at the same 5453 address. The party was over by March 1939 when a demolition permit was obtained. The estimate for the destruction and removal was $50.
A couple of sources suggest that "A V Spencer" was also known as Bob Spencer, hence the name, Bob's Airmail Service. (FWIW, the manager in the '38CD for Bob's is listed as "Robt. Kreisler") One of the same sources states that the ten constructed Fokker F32's were bona fide white elephants, especially after the bad publicity received following Knute Rockne's March '31 death in a different model Fokker and the Great Depression.
Spencer reportedly took advantage of the inexpensive Fokker as an attraction, and according to the same source, "Spencer's brainwave was a runaway success. In 1934, Bob's Air Mail Service Station sold more Mobiloil and Mobilgas products than any other dealer on the West Coast."
"Painted white and rechristened The Happy Landing with the company's Flying Red Horse on the wings, the F-32 was illuminated at night. The two forward Pratt & Whitney Hornet engines often roared to life to the astonishment of passing drivers. Neon signs along the wings' leading edges proclaimed: 'BOB'S AIR MAIL SERVICE ... IT'S FASTER - IT'S BETTER.'" http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showt...lly-Big-Fokker
1938 - (At least that's what the license plate supposedly establishes. Black on yellow was also used in '36.)
 http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u...l.jpg~original
Note that the forward propeller may actually be moving. Seems perfectly safe, quiet and sane. 
 http://imageshack.us/a/img23/5346/aa...station193.jpg
 http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/73...757be61f0b.jpg
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nice to have that date pinned down better.
This site has a loop of a 2-3 second color film of Bob's with the props going:
http://twostriptechnicolor.tumblr.co...s-angeles-june
I had this photo in my files, unattributed (I've spent an hour trying to figure out my source for it without success, LAPL I thought) c. 1939- before about April 1940 anyway as the White Spot is still The White Spot at 5467. It looks like some sort of wall or foundation going up there that I don't remember seeing when Bob's was there.
Mobile Gas sign, no wall (c. 1938)
http://jpg1.lapl.org/00007/00007141.jpg