flying tiger airlines vietnam

Arrived Travis in daylight and was struck by the absence of bomb craters from my aerial view. Ninety-three of these were enlisted with the US Army, with the remaining three being from South Vietnam. The women working the cabin on those flights were still known as stewardesses, not flight attendants, and they walked like fashion models down the aisles. Mosher. On December 14, 1962, Flying Tiger Line Flight 183, an L-1049H Super Constellation (N6913C), crashed on approach to Lockheed Air Terminal in. Many flight attendants struggled at first to contain their own emotions. we sat silently in the darkness almost trying to will ourselves into that jet thru the air. Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. Marine leaving from Da Nang Jan 31, 1971 to Okinawa Japan, 3 days later back to the World by way of Alaska to Nortin AFB. I salute you all ladies!! Early in 1961, the first of the Canadair CL-44 all-cargo aircraft joined the flying Tiger Fleet. She very quickly wrote down something and gave it to me. Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the US state of California. Change). Tiger's Ad Hoc Charter livestock flights provided airlift for exotic animals. But some homeward-bound passengers were belligerent, unpredictable. Really hurt thinking about that after I was out in the field for a couple of weeks on c-rations. (1974 -1989). On March 6, 1967, Flying Tigers first DC8-63F aircraft arrived. In April of 75, with the collapse of the South Vietnamese government, Flying Tigers evacuated its own personnel and other refugees from Saigon. I spent one year there and flew 15 missions in Vietnam, 8 north and 7 south. When I went over in 66, it was courtesy of the USAF on a C-141no flight attendants there, just jump seats and the infantry TOE and basic load down the center of the aircraft. I very much enjoyed it and had no idea that those very attractive young ladies felt that way about us. I went to Nam aboard a ship which very nicely cut 21 days off my tour. Remember the pungent fish smell and heat as we deplaned. The aircraft was operating a Military Air Transport Service (MATS) cargo flight from Travis AFB to Kadena Air Base. The decent angle brought the entire plane to silence while they considered the reason for that radical decent. I was a nurse in Namso I can appreciate their service. The company had a contract to fly U.S. servicemen into Vietnam and to bring troops home after their tours were complete. Leslie Pfeifer served aboard Flying Tiger Line from 1967 to 1970, making 75 return flights to South Vietnam. "Trucking Anywhere By Air", November 1945, "Interview with Ray Ruff & Donnie Brooks", http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/ft3.htm, http://www.departedflights.com/BRU83intro.html, "How Pan Am Flight 50 flew from pole to pole", https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR7210.pdf, Flying Tiger Line accidents and incidents, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flying_Tiger_Line&oldid=1146348566, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from March 2022, Articles with PDF format bare URLs for citations, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, On January 7, 1953, Flying Tiger Line Flight 841, a. We finally got off the ground several hours later but out over the Pacific, the aircraft had mechanical problems again that diverted us to Kadena AFB in Okinawa where we were on the ground for over 48 hours waiting for parts and repair crew to be flown in from mainland Japan. After just under two hours on the ground, The Free Lance-Star reported that the flight departed Guam just before 21:00. During 1969, the CL-44s and B707s left the fleet as the addition of DC-8s took their place. The big, glamorous airline back then was Pan Am. United States. On September 9, 1958, a Flying Tiger Line. Its a way to look back, said one woman planning to attend, Ann Price Montgomery, who joined Flying Tigers in 1968. WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for FLYING TIGERS Douglas DC-8 -Aviation Postcard Airlines-WGA-927 at the best online prices at eBay! At the time of its sale to FedEx, Flying Tigers were operating the following aircraft: More details of the following can be found at the ASN Aviation Safety Database[13]. Trying to get your brain from calming down from a surreal experience in RVN and then refocusing your mind on being back home was a strange experience! In June 1946, the Budd Conestogas were replaced by C-47s. WebFlying Tiger Airport: Home Real Estate About Things to do FAQ's FAA Info. 7 Aug 1989. And after the fall of Saigon in 1975, when the war ended, they remained connected. Very interesting. Its such a part of history, and our own personal history.. 25 Jun 1945. I have no comment for this person, He/she is beyond help. On August 7, 1989, Federal Express merged Flying Tigers into its operations. My Eventually, in 1988, FedEx bought the airlines parent company, absorbing its routes and bringing the rough-and-tumble era of cargo aviation to a close. Airline Founded. After a dangerous heist of a mysterious device from the FBI, the HKPD assigns Ko Ka Chun, to save Hong Kong from the imminent threat from the Black Snake Gang. Piloted by the novice American Volunteer Group, who were from all branches of the military and civilians, these men provided military support to the Republic of China in their defense against the Japanese invasion between 1941-1942. That same year, ground-breaking ceremonies took place for the companys World Headquarters at Los Angeles International Airport. Also in 1962, the company initiated the first coordinated combination of sea and air transportation; later to become known as SeaTiger. [2], The airline was named after the Flying Tigers fighter unit of World War II, officially the 1st American Volunteer Group. [7][8], Charter and scheduled passenger operations were flown by their subsidiary, Metro International Airlines, which was formed in January 1981, and ceased operations in 1983, when it was sold to Tower Air. She told me that there were more books in the back of the plane. And yes, we had a flight load of pucker factor and apprehension. Its ultimate destination was the Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers. Stay tuned for more upcoming Fly-in Events New River Estates Worthington Springs, FL. She had many stories. On March 15, 1962, Flying Tiger Line Flight 7816/14, an L-1049H Super Constellation (N6911C), crashed on approach to Adak Island Naval Air Station, Alaska due to pilot error, killing one of eight on board. On December 15, 1965, Flying Tiger Line Flight 914, an L-1049H Super Constellation (N6914C), struck California Peak after the pilot became disorientated in IFR conditions, killing the three crew. These women allayed the fears of soldiers heading to war and offered support and reassurance to those headed home. The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. Such as, I didnt know if I was going to make it back and not wanting to think about that. By this time the airline's personnel had gained such expertise in shipping challenging pieces of freight that the attitude in the industry was, "if Tigers can't move it, nobody can." The first Douglas DC-8-63F registered as N779FT was delivered to the airline on June 26, 1968 and the other eighteen followed until 1972.[6]. Thank You For Your Service, and It was my honor to help make your trip a little better. Room parties and roof parties and lobby parties and oh, my goodness.. Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. Sources: ATDB.aero, Aviation Safety Network, The Free Lance-Star. Out of rocket range. I remember well my Flying Tiger trips. Approximately 998 pilots worked for the airline based throughout the US. Rumbles & Bangs: Japan Airlines Boeing 767-300ER Encounters Engine Failure, Investors Are Now Worried About US Airline Stocks. The young men on the way over were full of Bravado and Spirit, and many on the return trip were just grateful to finally be going home and overcome with gratitude about leaving that hell hole in one piece. A FLY-IN COMMUNITY! This represented a significant transition for the Flying Tigers, and paved the road to future success. Two examples were thoroughbred racehorses and show animals from Stansted, England to the Melbourne Cup, as well as breeding stock cattle (milk supply) to nations such as Japan and Thailand. Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests. However, radio operators in Guam were unable to contact the flight at this time. Travel the world, the ad said. Im still trying to figure out how to coordinate one of our own with one of theirs. (1949 - 1961), C-54 Gen. -- The C-54, first of the four--engine air freighters, was used by Flying Tigers in the largest, longest airlift ever flown by a private contractor -- supplying the American Occupation Forces in Japan. Carrying 32,000 pounds of cargo at 275 miles per hour with a 2,000 mile range, the DC-6A carried more, cheaper and faster than any other aircraft flying at the time. WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for FLYING TIGERS Douglas DC-8 -Aviation Postcard Airlines-WGA-927 at the best online prices at eBay! This allowed for more extensive geographic capability and cargo capacity. (1947 -- 1957), The acquisition of seven DC-6s represented the largest single purchase the airline industry had ever seen. It wasnt my style to go asking every woman that I met to get her address and telephone number, besides I had more important things on my mind. I came back on a USAF flight as I was in a 1-1/2 hip spika cast they called it. Nobody wanted to take anybody over there who wasnt coming back.. However, Kadena was not able to resupply the galley but the crew got a lot of junk food to hold us over till we got to Tokyo where we were off-loaded again and the plane was serviced. 1969 A major milestone year. We were eventually invited to leave the club and told to not come back Welcome Home from the USAF in Kadena. I remember the flight over and appreciate this article about those that made the trip over to Vietnam enjoyable despite apprehension and anxiety most of us 19 year olds carried with us. What aviation news will you check out next? Fosters opposition to the war only intensified; she attended anti-war meetings and demonstrations on her days off. The airlines first B-727s were placed in service in early 1984. A great story, even made me cry, vaguely remembering the trips each way, to and from Vietnam. We began to realize OK, these guys are going off to die, Breen recalled. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 was a Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft, which is pictured here. Touching essay. Imitation lets you catch up to the guy ahead, but never lets you pass." The food on the airplane had to be thrown away because there was no refrigeration on the aircraft for over 48 hours. As in Korea, these flights carried both cargo as well as military personnel and their dependents. Not only told to leave, but not to come back. On this last leg, the passengers are much more somber and thinking ahead to their landing in the war zone. Flying Tiger was my airline of choice. The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. In 1975, the airline published the Airfreight Guide for Hazardous Materials, and quickly became a leader in the education and transportation of dangerous goods throughout the world. Chambers, Andy Gatenby. Flying Tiger history began during World War II when the original aircrafts were small fighter planes. I think it is great! As a grunt and a company commander from the 1st ID, who had left a few week old daughter and now was headed home to see her and the rest of the finally, I didnt cry but I damn sure slept well on that plane for the first time in 18 months. Some years ago I made contact with one of those stewardesses and found out about their reunions. Very good article. Covert flights for the military were not uncommon throughout the airline's history, given its roots in Civil Air Transport (CAT), as with its sister airline Air America, originally owned by General Claire Lee Chennault, commander of the Flying Tigers fighter squadron in Southeast Asia. However, these were not military aircraft, but commercial airliners under contract by the U.S. Air Force Military Airlift Command (MAC) and served by civilian crews and flight attendants. After airline deregulation, stiff competition buffeted profits and, with some unsuccessful diversification attempts by parent Tiger International, the airline began sustaining losses in 1981. Flying Tiger Attendant That was not us, recalled Andee Reingold Wright, a San Francisco native who was 21 when she started with Flying Tigers in 1967. Federal Express (FM / FDX) Base / Main Hub. 2023 CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website. Budd Conestoga Gen. -- Flying Tiger Line's first aircraft was the Budd Conestoga, an all -- stainless steel, rear--loading, twin--engine aircraft. Departed Bien Hoa (21 Apr 69)) on Flying Tiger (Stretch 8) with fuel stop in Japan. In 1982, Flying Tigers flew relief flights to Warsaw, Poland. It surpassed Pan American World Airways in 1980 as the world's largest air cargo carrier after acquiring its rival cargo airline Seaboard World Airlines on 1 October 1980. Like waking up from a bad dream and realizing yes, that was bad but I am home!!. return home flight in July 69 was on a Flying Tigers stretch-8. (1968-1989), B-747-100 Flying Tigers was the first airline to operate Boeing 747 passenger aircraft converted into efficient air freighters. The young men would leave their patches, their names, their addresses, their rosary beads and ask the crew members to write to them while they were in Vietnam. Great article; Thanks. Flying from Clark AFB to Guam refueling then on to Travis AFB and Home. He tried to grab it but I told him If she had wanted him to have it she would have given it to him. With that I went back to reading. In January 1946, the airline moved to Mines Field (later to become Los Angeles International Airport). Flying Tiger Line was ramping up operations in Vietnam, too, and its believed maintenance standards dropped as a result of increased demand. merging Ocean and Sky. I have grieved for them ever since. The CL-44s moved Tigers into leadership as the worlds largest freight and contract airline. Flying Tiger Line, also known as Flying Tigers, was the first scheduled cargo airline in the United States and a major military charter operator during the Cold War era for both cargo and personnel (the latter with leased aircraft). Flying Tigers already had terminals at San Francisco, Burbank, San Diego, Chicago, Cleveland and Newark. These women allayed the fears of soldiers heading to war and offered support and reassurance to those headed home. I remember the flights to and from, but what really sticks in my mind was the blast of hot, humid air that swept through the plane when they opened the doors. I was a Flying Tiger Flight Attendant for 5 years, and those many experiences flying into Tan Son Nhut. This Marine Was The American Sniper Of The Vietnam War, https://open.spotify.com/show/5Th7BCpIKDE1hVTqNL3u0Q. It was the first time I was truly surrounded around military men, and I was overwhelmed by their commitment and belief in their mission. I have always appreciated the kindness that was shown by the stewardesses on our trip home, if only the rest could have been as kind! WebFlying Tiger Line adopted the Canadair CL-44 swing-tail aircraft in 1961, becoming one of the first carriers in the world to offer aerial pallet shipping service. These ladies were great listeners and very supportive. They operated a recording company subsidiary, Happy Tiger Records, from 1969 to 1971. 7 Aug 1989. Ceased operations. Remember the illumination flares as we were coming in on final as the sun had not come up yet. I would have been on Flying Tigers returning to the states. The company said it needed flight attendants. As Flying Tiger Line flight attendant Andee Wright recalled, There was no special training by the airlines or the military about how to handle it. Federal Express (FM / FDX) Base / Main Hub. (1945 - 1947). She had no idea what the job entailed until she arrived for the interview and a man with the airline asked what she thought of the war. WebHis 93 U.S. military passengers, three South Vietnamese soldiers and the 11 civilian crew members aboard Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 disappeared on their way from Guam to the Philippines. WebThe Flying Tiger Line Incorporated. It supplied and supported covert operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, including providing support for drug smuggling in Laos. This was a very good and interesting article. Finally the plane started to move down the runway faster and faster. It supplied and supported covert operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, including providing support for drug smuggling in Laos. If I remember correctly I went over on Continental and came back on United. The soldiers onboard were flying there not to fight, but to help train South Vietnamese forces. I remember we had trouble on departure from Travis and then landed at Hickham and had to spend the night awaiting a replacement aircraft. So they tried to keep it light. The Los Angeles headquarters operation included its own engine shop and jet maintenance business. Airline Founded. Yes, it was a memorable 4 day flight. Enjoyed the article, although my trip to Nam was aboard a C130 with alternating engines working. They coped, as always, by leaning on each other. Thank you Jason for a story well told. God Bless you all. (1966-1969), The Douglas DC-8-63F was a new breed of aircraft that had a far reaching effect on the continuing growth for the airfreight industry. That was always the fun part, to take them out of there, remembered Gael Okicich, who flew with Tigers for 25 years. Piloted by the novice American Volunteer Group, who were from all branches of the military and civilians, these men provided military support to the Republic of China in their defense against the Japanese invasion between 1941-1942. While in Alaska stopping and refueling I was only 1/2 way through a mountain of pancakes, sausage and eggs smothered with Maple syrup when they announce for all out bound corpsmen to report immediately for departure. The Flying Tigers Flight Training Center opened in 1968 at the Los Angeles International Airport. The C-47 could fly 7,500 pounds of cargo over a range of 600 miles at 150 miles per hour. They wanted to cry but stifled the impulse. Ninety-three of these were enlisted with the US Army, with the remaining three being from South Vietnam. According to the Aviation Safety Network, it first flew in 1957, and had amassed a total of 17,224 hours. It broke my heart the way they were treated a few years later, especially knowing I had been in attendance on their flight into a war zone, and wondered how they had faired in the return to the USA. Flying Tiger history began during World War II when the original aircrafts were small fighter planes. Welcome Home with many thank you for all your support of the Vietnam veterans!! A FLY-IN COMMUNITY! He wouldnt believe me until I showed him the slip of paper. Thanks to all of you that attempted to make our journies more comfortable. Ceased operations. The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. I flew on Trans Carribiean twice from Travis and experienced the feelings described in the piece. My tours were 67 to 68 and 68 to 69, My second tour i was stationed in Saigon , my unit had a small crew break room where the transit crews rested between flights. Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. The extension allowed a 30 trip home so I had 2 Tiger flights in and 2 out. When we got ready to land at Bien Hoa airbase the pilot said there would be a slight delay because they were shelling the airfield. Web978 views 8 months ago Andee Wright served as a flight attendant with Flying Tiger Line from 1967 to 1978. ATDB.aero shows that it spent most of its career at Flying Tiger Line, but did also serve Lufthansa on a leased basis. The flight attendant standing at the top said see you in a year, Ill be wearing the same dress. A mysterious gang, The Black Snake Gang, is rising throughout the world. She then asked me Why of all the Corpsmen/servicemen on this plane was I the only one that didnt ask for her address and telephone number? I told her that (1. Because they were young and energetic, they could work a 5-hour flight from Japan to Vietnam, spend an hour on the ground, turn around and fly 5 hours back to Japan, then take a quick shower and then go out dancing at a go-go club. Flying around the world over the North and South Poles, the Pole Cat set eight speed and distance records. This was a great story. A very vulnerable feeling with out a weapon. I was a different person. The next stop was Saigon where we left off troops. I recall the flight I took into Vietnam and even more than the flight I took home. Nonetheless, it reached Guam as planned on March 15th. In March 1962, one such personnel-carrying flight went missing en route to Vietnam. The aircraft was operating a MATS charter flight from Gander to Frankfurt. They saw so much in those soldiers eyes and dealt with some truly emotional issues. To us, they were all beauty queens! A little over an hour later, it was expected to reach the coordinates of 140N 1350E. Joe Namath, Jim Otto, and, Marv Fleming on our returning flight after spending time visiting the wounded Vietnam soldiers at several hospitals. Like you were going to hang around. Those ladies had a very important part in the war and they are to be commended for their service. Capable of lifting 7,000 pounds over a version of the famed DC-3. On September 23, 1962, Flying Tiger Line Flight 923, an L-1049H Super Constellation (N6923C), ditched in the North Atlantic after three engines failed, killing 28 of 76 on board. The first two of these saw delays due to engine maintenance having to be carried out. With the Boeing 707s supplemented by Canadair CL-44s, Flying Tigers supplied U.S. military forces and became the largest carrier of cargo in the Pacific. The Flying Tiger Line then put in orders for brand new Boeing 747-200F freighters designated the Boeing 747-249F, which at the time were among the heaviest commercial airplanes flying, weighing in at 823,000 pounds (373,000kg). Feb.3-8, 1968. On October 11, 1983, Flying Tiger Line Flight 9014, a Boeing 747 (N806FT), ran off the runway at Frankfurt International Airport after a cargo pallet broke loose; the three crew and three passengers survived; the aircraft was substantially damaged, but was repaired and returned to service. What was the worst work detail you pulled in Vietnam? Many of the women continued to fly, either with Tigers or other airlines; more than a few married Tigers pilots and started families. In quieter moments, men cracked: a lieutenant crying softly in his seat, admitting that his wife had just given birth to a baby he might never see again; a young mans hand shaking as he reached for a cup of milk. Daniel Dattpla IIFFV Original Party. If the flights to Vietnam were emotional, the flights back home could be tense in a different way. Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the US state of California. A true airfreighted with a unique swing-tail design, the CL-44 permitted the straight-in loading of freight no other plane could carry. During 1949, the C-47s were replaced with the C-46s, which had a higher payload and longer range. Wonderful article and I went to Vietnam on Flying Tiger Airlines in 1966. We turned off our running lights to avoid ground fire.. My return flight in 72 was on Flying Tigers that started out with engine problems on the ramp in Tan Son Nhut. The part Ill always remember is the wonderful round eyes that tolerated us nervous troops as we headed for the unknown going both over to Vietnam and returning to the US. These aircraft had the powerful "Q" (Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7Q) engines and heavy landing gear and could simultaneously carry both 250,000 pounds (110,000kg) of fuel and 250,000 pounds (110,000kg) of cargo loaded through both the nose door and the side door at the same time. Journalist - A graduate in German, Jake has a passion for aviation history, and enjoys sampling new carriers and aircraft even if doing so demands an unorthodox itinerary. I also n=mourned those I had lost there who could not return alive but were shipped home to grief stricken families. Web346 views 9 months ago. It was obvious the airplane had been used a lot, but it was clean and the attendants were friendly and upbeat. Carrying 50% more cargo than the DC-4 and carrying it 70 miles per hour faster, the company's gross revenues quickly reached the $25-million mark in 1953. In the Vietnam airlift, Flying Tigers provided strategic flights from the US to numerous military bases throughout the Pacific and Southeast Asia geographic region. When I went back in 1970 out of McCord it was on World Airlines. United States. The airline also played a major role in the construction of the Distant Early Warning Line, flying equipment to remote outposts in northern Canada and Alaska. On this last leg, the passengers are much more somber and thinking ahead to their landing in the war zone. Ten former AVG pilots, after returning to the United States in 1945, formed the Flying Tiger Line established on 24 June 1945 as National Freight Service known under the name of National Skyway Freight using a small fleet of 14 Budd Conestoga freighters purchased as war surplus from the United States Navy. I remember the Tiger flights and their wonderful crews. 7 Aug 1989. Piloted by the novice American Volunteer Group, who were from all branches of the military and civilians, these men provided military support to the Republic of China in their defense against the Japanese invasion between 1941-1942. Our own with one of theirs catch up to the war and they are to thrown... Welcome home from the USAF in Kadena unable to contact the flight at this time the states our... Felt that way about US coped, as always, by leaning each! 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I also n=mourned those I had lost there who wasnt coming flying tiger airlines vietnam and I went in... 1947 -- 1957 ), the CL-44s and B707s left the Fleet as the of... Stop was Saigon where we left off troops trouble on departure from and... Called it Aviation news digests for their service tuned for more extensive geographic capability and into! Recording company subsidiary, Happy Tiger Records, from 1969 to 1971 very important part the. Airport: home Real Estate about Things to do FAQ 's FAA Info of history, had. The same dress flares as we were eventually invited to leave, but did also serve on! Aerial view come back and contract airline pounds over a version of the plane war ended, they connected... Cry, vaguely remembering the trips each way, to which it was my honor to train. Silently in the war zone and after the fall of Saigon in 1975, the... In 1962, one such personnel-carrying flight went missing en route to Vietnam a! 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