Lillian Boyer (January 15, 1901 – February 1, 1989) was an American wing walker who performed numerous aerial stunts that included wing walking, automobile-to-airplane transfers, and parachute jumps between 1921 and 1929.

Lillian (0002) by JanKees Blom, on Flickr

Working as a restaurant waitress but eager to fly in an airplane, in 1921 Lillian Boyer was invited by two restaurant customers to take an airplane ride. On her second flight, she climbed out on the wing thus beginning her career as an aerial performer.

Lillian (0004) by JanKees Blom, on Flickr

 In December 1921, she began five months of training with pilot Lt. Billy Brock, former World War I pilot and barnstormer. She performed many daring stunts and achieved great public acclaim until 1929 when federal regulations on low flying and unsafe planes forced her and many other barnstormers into retirement.

Lillian (0001) by JanKees Blom, on Flickr

Her performances included 352 shows in 41 US states and Canada, most of them wing-walking; 143 automobile-to-plane changes; 37 parachute jumps (13 into Lake Erie).

Lillian (0005) by JanKees Blom, on Flickr

You can see this amazing woman in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJcLkOLd7W0 and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMDDCnHUo3c

Great background story for that beautiful paint!

On 12/21/2022 at 4:33 PM, John F said:

Great background story for that beautiful paint!

+1

Very cool story and certainly lots of wing surface on this aircraft for her shows!

Beautiful set...Jan... thanks for painting this classic Jenny... the low altitude scenery looks great too...!