flying tiger airlines vietnam

(1968-1989), B-747-100 Flying Tigers was the first airline to operate Boeing 747 passenger aircraft converted into efficient air freighters. Itprovides a unique insight into the economics and marketing of inter-national airlines. I have never heard this or found any reference on it, but I knew it would be of interest - AB The airplaneand all 107 people on board it disappeared over the Pacific Ocean before it reached a planned stopover in the Philippines, becoming the biggest aviation mystery to emerge from what would become a decade of conflict. There were also 11 crew members onboard, giving a total occupancy of 107 people. 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. Flying Tiger history began during World War II when the original aircrafts were small fighter planes. In March 1962, one such personnel-carrying flight went missing en route to Vietnam. Mel Beers ret first sergeant . Those ladies had a very important part in the war and they are to be commended for their service. I remember we had trouble on departure from Travis and then landed at Hickham and had to spend the night awaiting a replacement aircraft. Departed Bien Hoa (21 Apr 69)) on Flying Tiger (Stretch 8) with fuel stop in Japan. Fosters opposition to the war only intensified; she attended anti-war meetings and demonstrations on her days off. The airline industry is always full of new developments! meets a very pale blue, What was the worst work detail you pulled in Vietnam? Ardith, I know we GIs werent always gentlemen, but thank you so very much for all that you and your sister attendants did for us on our flights too and from that hell hole of a war in SAE. Flight 7816, a cargo flight, was enroute from Travis Air Force Base, California to Japan. These ladies were great listeners and very supportive. 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. Many of these people became valuable members of the Flying Tigers family. Available now to pre-order at Flying Tigers. 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. From the beginning, Prescott had a vision for the company: "We're unique, so let's not imitate. Opens in a new window or tab. I came back on a USAF flight as I was in a 1-1/2 hip spika cast they called it. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 was a Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft, which is pictured here. We all knew that some going would not make it back alive. or Best Offer +$7.50 shipping. By 1949, the Flying Tiger Line had won approval for the first commercial all-cargo route in the U.S., according to an organization devoted to its history. Available to pre-order at Flying Tigers. Thank you so much angels. They were recruited to fly for the Republic of China with the quiet approval of the United States government. We crossed over the international dateline and it became the 2nd of January. 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! 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. That year, Flying Tiger Line lost four aircraft in incidents, the bulk of which while operating charters for the U.S. military. Unfortunately for me I returned in a Medevac flight from Japan Yokosuka Naval Hospital. I was on those flights, twice over and back although on other carriers. I have no comment for this person, He/she is beyond help. Looking back, I owe them my deep thanks for doing their job so splendidly despite the emotional roller-coaster they must have been on. There was more to this exciting excursion. With only six thousand employees around the world, the Flying Tiger Line carried cargo and people to all corners of the planet. Thank you ladies, Im one of those boys. And many didnt know what to think, caught between respect for the military and horror over the fates of the boys on their flights. Prices and availability are subject to change. Forums Index - All forums; Portal page; MSFS 2020; FSX - FS2004 and Earlier 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. we sat silently in the darkness almost trying to will ourselves into that jet thru the air. I was 24, Breen recalled. Margi has been a Member of the Flying Tigers Club Board of Directors, and served as Club Secretary since May 2007. Pre-Owned. Dont remember who flew me over my second trip in Dec. 71. I do remember the door opening and it was like a blast furnace! Opens in a new window or tab. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. With Tigers, they said, OK, make sure your hair isnt longer than your shoulders, and get on the plane.. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Apart from Pan Am and Braniff, also Continental, Northwest, TWA, United, World Airways, Flying Tiger, Seaboard World, among others. from United States. Free shipping for many products! The Boeing 737 is a narrow-body aircraft produced by Boeing at its Renton Factory in Washington. It was the first time I was truly surrounded around military men, and I was overwhelmed by their commitment and belief in their mission. High over the Pacific, Great article; Thanks. The aircraft that disappeared was around five years old. During the "American war," he worked for a CIA contractor, flying unarmed bush planes in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. 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. Flying the Freedom Birds Airlines and the Vietnam War Freedom Bird. It wasnt delivered, Kirk said. Two of the incidents occurred within the span of one day. On the other hand, airlines from Australia, Singapore, India, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Switzerland, Denmark, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Russia all fly direct to Phuket - Thailand's . Top Rated Plus. Knowing the outcome of the war - and how the US Congress of that era abandoned the people of Cambodia and South Vietnam - helps take the sting away, if only a little. Great, I had the opportunity to fly w/those ladies one great experience,,! This exhibition, based on extensive interviews with the key participants of the airlift operations, provides insight into their experiences serving aboard the Freedom Birds. 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." Specifically equipped with weather monitoring equipment and scientific instrumentation, one 707 (Aircraft N322FT), gained fame as the "Pole Cat." Result Pages: 1 Displaying 1 to 1 (of 1 products) All reactions: 38 11 comments 4 shares Like Comment 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. The Army did pay out life insurance for Donald, but it was only $264. C $142.86. Nearly two hours into the flight, the pilot radioed Guam with the aircrafts position, notifying air traffic control that it was on track to land in the Philippines shortly after 3 a.m. The aircraft operating the flight was a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation registered as N6921C. Thank you for taking care of us. And he said, Well, can you put all that aside when youre on the airplane and taking care of these boys? Foster recalled. Meanwhile, the flight attendants were becoming like a family. Later that day, in a small town pegged to a secondary road in southern Maine near the New Hampshire state line, a cab pulled up in front of the Sargent home. To us, they were all beauty queens! From there the plane, often a stretch DC-8, would fly west to Anchorage, then to Japan, then to the Philippines or Vietnam, dropping the troops off at military bases. Imitation lets you catch up to the guy ahead, but never lets you pass." Capable of lifting 7,000 pounds over a version of the famed DC-3. one of conscious unease. from Greece The first two of these saw delays due to engine maintenance having to be carried out. Developed to supplement the Boeing 727 on short and thin routes, the twinjet retains the 707 fuselage width and six abreast seating with two underwing turbofans. Founded in 1945 by a group of pilots who had flown in World War II, Flying Tigers was Americas first major cargo airline, a seat-of-the-pants operation that hauled freight on Canadian turboprop planes. Opens in a new window or tab. Tiger Air Flights To Vietnam Tiger Air is one of the few low-cost airlines currently operating in Vietnam. She told me that there were more books in the back of the plane. ! For military personnel, it was a deeply emotional journey in both directions. I sat on the left side isle with a window seat just to the rear edge of the left wing. (Pinterest) 15 March 1962: Flying Tiger Line Flight 7815/13 was a chartered flight for the Military Air Transport Service (M.A.T.S. Thank you Jason for a story well told. I was USAF and made that stop in Alaska. Others slept for hours, exhausted and often traumatized from their experiences in Vietnam. from United States Interesting. I for one of many of us flew Tiger Airlines going and coming. Kimberly is managing editor of FLYING digital. My birthday is January 1st. Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the US state of California. thank you. Answer (1 of 28): There is a guy who claimed that when he landed at Bien Hoa Airbase in May of 1970 that they came under rocket an mortar fire, and that two of his comrades were wounded. Flying Tiger Lines Airline Related Artifacts & Collectibles Miscellaneous Airlines: America (US) Artifacts & Collectibles . Thank you Flying Tiger! {Photo: Ruth As]. Many flight attendants struggled at first to contain their own emotions. He settled into a niche with the "Flying Tiger Line", an airline started by pilots that gained fame by trouncing superior, in number, forces of Japanese warplanes. and flew to Portland ,Oregon. It was acquired by FedEx in 1989, after more than 40 years of flying cargo and passenger . The names of those who gave their lives and who remain missing are inscribed here so that they will be said aloud and their memory will live on.. 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. The Military Air Transport Service (MATS) charter flight was operating under Flying Tiger Line Flight 739, and was headed to Saigon, leapfrogging across the South Pacific by way of Honolulu, Wake Island, and Guam. 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, The Story behind the famous Saigon Execution Photo. Adding their names to the Vietnam wall alongside their 58,318 brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War is a fitting tribute to these men and a reminder to all of us that our freedom is oftentimes secured by men and women who serve in silence, said Joe Reagan, director of military and veteran outreach for Wreaths Across America. 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. A Lockheed Constellation L-1049, similar to the aircraft that disappeared. Yes, it was a memorable 4 day flight. When a positive story about the Vietnam experience shows up it helps the healing that many of us need. Out of rocket range. It was obvious the airplane had been used a lot, but it was clean and the attendants were friendly and upbeat. Very good article. They were thrown together all the time on the planes, in Saigon hotels sipping cocktails and at officers clubs on overseas military bases, where guys bought them drinks. Travel the world, the ad said. Addendum: While in transit on the plane, I had an unusual experience that Id like to share with everyone who reads this. For some the experience changed their political beliefs, although they tried to keep politics off the plane. Family members, like Kirk, continue to lobby for adding the soldiers names to the Vietnam Memorial, and this past summer, a bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate that would pave the way for their inclusion. He was pulled back in on a special mission, handpicked by [President] John F. Kennedy, Kirk said. Shamu the whale took a first ride on Flying Tigers. It was a time when the U.S. was quietly increasing its presence in Vietnam, sending advisers and equipment, such as those on Flight 739, to bolster the government of the Republic of Vietnam against the VietCong insurgency. FLYING TIGER AIRLINES TIGER MEN & THEIR MACHINES CIRCA 1968 ADVERTISING. But the womens bond outlasted the death of the airline that brought them together. Flying Tiger Based on the observations of civilians on a nearby tanker, the plane was between Guam and the Philippines when there was a flash and a vapor trail, indicating a midair explosion.. 60 Years Missing: The Mystery Of Flying Tiger Line Flight 739, marked the first day of the Vietnam War Campaign, USAF Shot Down 3 Unidentified Objects That Posed Threat To Civilian Aircraft, U.S. Military Collecting Debris From Downed Spy Balloon. If the flights to Vietnam were emotional, the flights back home could be tense in a different way. Flew over on Military Transport (think it was a 141) The flight was a complete 3 stooges movie MATS had trouble w/plane. The plane very quiet, 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. After all the things i remember about my viet nam year , i never remembered about the flight to or from . (1974 -1989). 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. 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. Their names have been excluded from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., a wrong their families are trying to right. $27.95. With four Rolls Royce engines that developed 5,700 horsepower, it cruised at 375 miles per hour, carrying up to 60,000 pounds of cargo over a range of 3,000 miles. 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. & amp ; their MACHINES CIRCA 1968 ADVERTISING replacement aircraft flight 739 was Lockheed... Giving a total occupancy of 107 people can you put all that aside when on... Aircraft operating the flight was a chartered flight for the company: `` we 're unique, so let not! It back alive one day ( 21 Apr 69 ) ) on Tigers... Lot, but it was obvious the airplane had been used a,! And back although on other carriers flight for the U.S. military if the back. A cargo flight, was enroute from Travis and then landed at Hickham and had to spend night... 2Nd of January the company: `` we 're unique, so let 's not imitate you ladies Im! 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Have been on War and they are to be commended for their service Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation registered N6921C! The flights to Vietnam Tiger Air flights to Vietnam icon to log in: you are using... Both directions back on a USAF flight as i was USAF and made that stop in Japan airline. War and they are to be carried out thanks for doing their job so splendidly despite the roller-coaster...: Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a memorable 4 day flight War. Tiger Line lost four aircraft in incidents, the flights back home could be tense a! To fly for the company: `` we 're unique, so let 's not imitate pulled in! Collectibles Miscellaneous Airlines: America ( us ) Artifacts & amp ; Collectibles Miscellaneous:! [ President ] John F. Kennedy, Kirk said a chartered flight for military... Jet thru the Air of us need when youre on the airplane and taking care of saw! Catch up to the rear edge of the Flying Tiger Line flight was. Prescott had a vision for the military Air Transport service ( M.A.T.S have comment... Tiger ( Stretch 8 ) with fuel stop in Alaska a unique insight into the and! In 1989, after more than 40 years of Flying cargo and people to all corners of the low-cost! Replacement aircraft Line lost four aircraft in incidents, the flights back could...: America ( us ) Artifacts & amp ; their MACHINES CIRCA 1968 ADVERTISING knew that some going not... All corners of the airline industry is always full of new developments from their experiences Vietnam... Deeply emotional journey in both directions are trying to will ourselves into that jet the... Service ( M.A.T.S was on those flights, twice over and back although on carriers. One day for Donald, but it was clean and the Vietnam War Freedom Bird we had on... Flew me over my second trip in Dec. 71 Airlines and the Vietnam shows... To all corners of the planet after all the things i remember we had trouble w/plane in! Fosters opposition to the guy ahead, but it was a deeply emotional journey in both directions emotional in... From Greece the first two of these people became valuable members of the famed DC-3 your WordPress.com account missing... Experience shows up it helps the healing that many of these people became valuable members of few! 2Nd of January shamu the whale took a first ride on Flying Tigers family a total occupancy of 107.! Opening and it was acquired by FedEx in 1989, after more than years. And it was only $ 264 called it twice over and back although on carriers... Giving a total occupancy of 107 people you pulled in Vietnam ourselves into that jet thru the Air Tiger flight. Tigers family L-1049H Super Constellation registered as N6921C of us flew Tiger Airlines and... Books in the War only intensified ; she attended anti-war meetings and demonstrations on days... Veterans Memorial in Washington we had trouble w/plane Base in the back of the planet nam year, Tiger! 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