Interesting LAX photo

[Bill Collins]

I was meandering through YouTube last night and came upon a site called RetroPhotoWorld. It was an eclectic collection of "100 Rare Vintage Photos" depicting a variety of subjects, eras and locations.

Among the pics was the attached, labeled "Los Angeles LAX American Airlines Flight Hostesses 1965". The interesting aspect of it is, they appear to be professionally staged sitting in a Cobra. Examination of the background reveals a 1965 Thunderbird parked in front of a runway blast wall, leading me to suspect this was taken at Shelby American.

I have not seen this photo before and am curious if anyone has more information regarding why it was taken. Was it a shot for an American Airlines promo or airline magazine feature? Or was it done during the June 1965 SA open house? Something else?

[WT6066-2600]

This was in SA 2023 Annual, not much info

[tesgt350]

Those two look to be Twins.

[camp upshur]

The American Airlines twins.
(see attached)

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Probably sent to lure the cargo contract away from TWA.

[camp upshur]

That would be my preferred way to do business.
However, AMR did not have international rights in 1965.
I was always morbidly intrigued w the pic of the  GT-40s shipping out for LeMans 65, because that 707 Combi (N787TW) later went down w all hands on a botched three-engine go.You cannot view this attachment.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

.....because that 707 Combi (N787TW) later went down w all hands on a botched three-engine go.

1969 Training accident
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The probable cause of this accident was a loss of directional control, which resulted from the intentional shutdown of the pumps supplying hydraulic pressure to the rudder without a concurrent restoration of power on the No.4 engine. A contributing factor was the inadequacy of the hydraulic fluid loss emergency procedure when applied against the operating configuration of the aircraft."

[camp upshur]

exactly, in ineptly attempting to setup a three-engine go for training they intentionally/incorrectly removed their flight control hydraulic pumps and killed themselves.

"The cause of the accident was found to be poor procedures for simulating engine failures and failure to apply the correct procedure for hydraulic failure, as well as loss of hydraulic power to the rudder in a critical flight condition."