On November 2, 1979, the company received its first Boeing 747-200 freighter. On November 9, 1977, President Carter signed into law the legislation which deregulated airfreight in the U.S. On March 3, 1978, one month after Flying Tigers was named the largest airfreight carrier in the free world, the airlines founder, Robert W. Prescott, died. Great article and I do so remember that flight and not having even an idea what was waiting for me .. 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. (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. Not sure if the change in mood was due to smoked joints and beer, but it sure didnt hurt any. 7 Aug 1989. 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. It supplied and supported covert operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, including providing support for drug smuggling in Laos. During 1969, the CL-44s and B707s left the fleet as the addition of DC-8s took their place. I salute you all ladies!! During the Vietnam years the Flying Tiger Line also worked overtime for the US Postal Service. (LogOut/ I too was older at 25 and remember them well. I then went back to my seat with a book after putting that slip of paper in my wallet. LOTS FOR SALE! To us, they were all beauty queens! Flying Tigers was a mechanism of the war she opposed. It supplied and supported covert operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, including providing support for drug smuggling in Laos. The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. [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. Hard to not have an emotional moment while reading. we sat silently in the darkness almost trying to will ourselves into that jet thru the air. The jet went faster, higher, finally the landing gear came up into the plane. Ceased operations. (It didnt work out. United States. I was so wrapped up in my own personal trauma that I thought they were being so nice because they were paid to, not because they wanted to. The aircraft was operating a MATS charter flight from Gander to Frankfurt. Flew out going from Ft. Lewis, Washington 1970, came home through Oakland Par 8th, 1971. Thanks, DRS. The Flying Tigers Boeing 707 POLECAT established speed and distance records on its pole-to-pole flight around the world. On this last leg, the passengers are much more somber and thinking ahead to their landing in the war zone. I just stood there in my bedroom looking out the window for a very long time,saying to myself Did that really happen??? Ceased operations. 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. Flying Tiger Line was ramping up operations in Vietnam, too, and its believed maintenance standards dropped as a result of increased demand. 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. On June 12, 1970, the Peter Prescott Hospital for children in Taiwan was dedicated in honor of the founders son, who had been killed in an aircraft accident in Palm Springs. I sat looking out the window the whole flight home, never said a word. Thank you and God Bless you all!!!! I was trying to keep from thinking about that. The food on the airplane had to be thrown away because there was no refrigeration on the aircraft for over 48 hours. Breen went from being gung ho about the war to suspecting the government was lying and thinking the war was a mistake. The plane very quiet, Tigers suddenly needed bodies to work those long overseas flights, and when it put out calls for flight attendants, adventurous women answered. 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. WebThe Flying Tiger Line Incorporated. Vietnam-era airline crews carry memories of the men they flew to, fromwar, Videos, Film, Music, and Movies about VN War, Author interview War & Life: Discussions with a Veteran, A Chat Between Three Veterans [live video with author], Lest We Forget Meet the Authors & Book Signing April 4th: Cherries and Donut Dolly, Interview with author John Podlaski in Examiner Magazine, American Heroes Radio interviews author of Cherries A Vietnam War Novel, Cherries Author Interviewed on British Website, U.K. Blogspot posts interviews author, John Podlaski, More Book Reviews and author interviews about Cherries, Southern Californian Remembers Life as a Pan Am Stewardess in Vietnam CherriesWriter Vietnam War website, Southern Californian Remembers Life as a Pan Am Stewardess inVietnam. 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! I made that trip also in Jan,1967. For military personnel, it was a deeply emotional journey in both directions. Free shipping for many products! Mosher. 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. 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! Expansion Not Flying Tigers but nevertheless an unforgettable flight. The first of the "stretched" airfreights, it carried a payload of 110,000 pounds at 550 miles per hour over a 3,000 mile range. I flew over on Continental..We had a flight attendant come to one of our VVA Chapter meeting and tell us about her time. Early in 1961, the first of the Canadair CL-44 all-cargo aircraft joined the flying Tiger Fleet. Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the US state of California. Despite her personal beliefs, Foster reasoned that nobody needed better care than men heading to a war or coming back from one, and she decided to sign on. It was really a struggle to decide what was right or what was wrong, said Okicich. In 1965, Flying Tiger Line began operating jet aircraft when on September, 27, In 1949, the Civil Aeronautics Board awarded Flying Tiger Line the first commercial air cargo route in the U.S., a transcontinental route from Los Angeles and San Francisco, California to Boston, Massachusetts. Sources: ATDB.aero, Aviation Safety Network, The Free Lance-Star. As in Korea, these flights carried both cargo as well as military personnel and their dependents. On this last leg, the passengers are much more somber and thinking ahead to their landing in the war zone. Search and rescue operations began promptly, catalyzed by a Liberian tanker ship's reported sighting of an explosion around the time of the plane's disappearance. Tiger's Ad Hoc Charter livestock flights provided airlift for exotic animals. Theyd usually start at Travis Air Force Base outside of San Francisco or McChord Field in Washington, picking up more than 200 fresh-faced, uniformed servicemen from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. That flight SUCKED., but at least I got out of that chit hole. This exhibition is currently available online only. 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. Flying Tiger Attendant On March 21, 1966, Flying Tiger Line Flight 6303, a, On December 24, 1966, a Flying Tiger Line Canadair CL-44 (N228SW), On February 15, 1979, Flying Tiger Line Flight 74, a. I do remember the door opening and it was like a blast furnace! 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. First time over in July 68 I was a 29 year old Warrant Officer pilot and flew on a Seaboard World stretch-8 (DC-8-50) that was only a couple of years old but what I remember about the flight was that the plane was dirty and worn and the flight attendants were older than me. Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. A mysterious gang, The Black Snake Gang, is rising throughout the world. 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). This Is Your Captain by Reyne OShaughnessy, Flying Tiger Memories by Guy Van Herbruggen & Charles Kennedy, Tiger 747 by Guy Van Herbruggen/Charles Kennedy, DC-8 & The Flying Tiger Line by Guy Van Herbruggen & Charles Kennedy. However, despite an eight-day search covering hundreds of thousands of square miles of the Pacific Ocean, no trace of the aircraft or its 107 occupants could ever be found. Thank you ladies. In March 1962, one such personnel-carrying flight went missing en route to Vietnam. this a definitive journey The estimated duration of its westbound flight to the Philippines was reportedly around eight hours, although the aircraft had enough fuel onboard to fly for another hour on top of that. For some the experience changed their political beliefs, although they tried to keep politics off the plane. Those ladies had a very important part in the war and they are to be commended for their service. Its ultimate destination was the Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers. In accordance with the government directives and in the interest in protecting the health of our visitors, the Aviation Museum & Library is currently closed. 1969 A major milestone year. I was old as dirt to them.. 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. I dont remember the faces of the flight attendantsprobably because I was so overwhelmed by my own emotions going to war and coming home. Landed in Saigon. A fine bunch of people. For the Vietnam generation of U.S. military veterans, this phrase meant only one thing; the aircraft that brought them home at the end of their tours. I have no comment for this person, He/she is beyond help. 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. Flying Tigers received the All-Cargo Route #163 across the Pacific into Asia. Thank you for writing this story, it was way overdue. It supplied and supported covert operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, including providing support for drug smuggling in Laos. Not sure if the change in mood was due to smoked joints and beer, but it sure didnt hurt any. The motto in the beginning was "Anything, Anytime, Anywhere". Thank you so much angels. They wanted to cry but stifled the impulse. Flying from Clark AFB to Guam refueling then on to Travis AFB and Home. Not sure if the change in mood was due to smoked joints and beer, but it sure didnt hurt any. But some homeward-bound passengers were belligerent, unpredictable. I know you dont remember many of our faces, as we no longer remember yours, but we thank you for taking care for us. The big, glamorous airline back then was Pan Am. They coped, as always, by leaning on each other. It brought back a lot of memories. WebThe Flying Tigers Boeing 707 POLECAT established speed and distance records on its pole-to-pole flight around the world. Travel the world, the ad said. As the company celebrated its first year of Transpacific service, ground breaking for Flying Tigers first Asian terminal took place in Tokyo, Japan the companies hub for Asian operations. This page was last edited on 24 March 2023, at 09:54. Flying Tiger Line was ramping up operations in Vietnam, too, and its believed maintenance standards dropped as a result of increased demand. Not only told to leave, but not to come back. 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. 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. And he said, Well, can you put all that aside when youre on the airplane and taking care of these boys? Foster recalled. thanks for the ride over and putting up with some of us. I think it is great! A FLY-IN COMMUNITY! We began to realize OK, these guys are going off to die, Breen recalled. In December 1946, Flying Tigers received its first Transpacific Military Contract, flying C-54s to Tokyo and Hawaii. It hooked up with the Pentagon to carry troops during the Korean War, and by the mid-1960s the airline was flying tens of thousands of soldiers into Vietnam at a time before the U.S. public was paying much attention to the conflict unfolding there. 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. Web978 views 8 months ago Andee Wright served as a flight attendant with Flying Tiger Line from 1967 to 1978. On August 7, 1989, Federal Express merged Flying Tigers into its operations. January 29, 1985, was the first of two lifelift flights for Ethiopian Relief that brought food and medical supplies to the starving inhabitants of that country. To this day, I send emails to friends who are Vets, and the young people in the airports who are recognizable by their uniforms and sincerely Thank them for thier Service. It was a vivid reminder we were entering a war zone. Mr. Fagones article is very touching and reminds us that many more people than just we former service men and women are veterans of the Vietnam War. As the company grew and matured, founder and CEO Robert Prescott did also, both in his younger days as an AVG pilot and later in the role of President of the Flying Tiger Line. Flying Tigers received the All-Cargo Route #163 across the Pacific into Asia. "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. During 1949, the C-47s were replaced with the C-46s, which had a higher payload and longer range. The training had little to do with hospitality, focusing instead on emergency procedures, like how to ditch a plane after a crash or what to do if the plane drew gunfire. But the womens bond outlasted the death of the airline that brought them together. Know now that I was stunned , medical shock, at suddenly the war down below, behind me , was gone. 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. Ninety-three of these were enlisted with the US Army, with the remaining three being from South Vietnam. She very quickly wrote down something and gave it to me. Owing to the complex geopolitical circumstances of the mid to late 20th century, it was also involved in military charters, flying both cargo and troops to conflict zones. And this aricle brought back many memories, both sad & scared, and delighted and full of joy! (LogOut/ Flying Tiger aircraft were chartered to transport troops and supplies from the United States to Asia; Flying Tigers later received a cargo route award to Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. 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. It flew at 200 miles per hour, carried 13,000 pounds of cargo and had a range of 900 miles. Marilyn Breen was 24 when a girlfriend called her from Japan, bragging that she had gotten a job with a different charter airline and was now sitting in Tokyo having her nails done for $1.50. for the first time, when I read this article, I remembered the cheer that went up spontaneously when we pulled up to about 10,000 feet and realized we were safety out of rocket/mortar danger and headed for home. Although the fledgling Flying Tiger Line was in a precarious financial situation during its early years, it enjoyed extraordinary growth throughout most of the 60's, and eventually emerged as the industry's foremost all-cargo carrier. These women allayed the fears of soldiers heading to war and offered support and reassurance to those headed home. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Flew over on Military Transport (think it was a 141) The flight was a complete 3 stooges movie MATS had trouble w/plane. The company said it needed flight attendants. The flight attendants learned not to wake them, knowing the men might leap up with a start, imagining they were still back in the war. He wouldnt believe me until I showed him the slip of paper. Travel the world, the ad said. This article was greatdefined exactly how it was when we flew homeI left Vietnam on or about the 5th of January 1968 & Flying Tigers was my carrier! After airline deregulation, stiff competition buffeted profits and, with some unsuccessful diversification attempts by parent Tiger International, the airline began sustaining losses in 1981. Not one of us said a word. Leslie Pfeifer served aboard Flying Tiger Line from 1967 to 1970, making 75 return flights to South Vietnam. The Stewardess came back after about 10-15 minutes and asked me Do you mind if I ask you a personal question? I told her No, not really.. 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." Canadair CL-44 (1961 - 1969), Flying Tigers met the challenge of the jet age with Boeing 707-349C intercontinental jets. WebAir America was an American passenger and cargo airline established in 1946 and covertly owned and operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1950 to 1976. 7 Aug 1989. Thank you stewardesses. 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