Jack Lambie

Biography

Born in the Philippine Islands to an U.S. Army surgeon, Lambie was a U.S. Army pilot from 1933-36 before joining Eastern Airlines as a co-pilot to famed aviator (and one time - literally - co-star) Dick Merrill, working the New York to Miami run. In 1937, at age 27, he was chosen as the co-pilot of the first commercial Trans-Atlantic flight, nicknamed the 'Daily Express,' to shuttle newsreel footage of the coronation of King George VI (May 9-13, 1937) which made them instant national celebrities. Lambie received $2500 as co-pilot of the flight. Merrill and Lambie's notoriety led to the Monogram quickie-B picture Atlantic Flight (1937), which began production in July, 1937. Both of their acting careers were short-lived and they returned to Eastern Airlines. Dick retired from EAL in 1961 while Jack eventually retired as Captain, Director of Operations Training in the 1970s.