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. On this last leg, the passengers are much more somber and thinking ahead to their landing in the war zone. It flew at 200 miles per hour, carried 13,000 pounds of cargo and had a range of 900 miles. [2], The airline was named after the Flying Tigers fighter unit of World War II, officially the 1st American Volunteer Group. There was more to this exciting excursion. The decent angle brought the entire plane to silence while they considered the reason for that radical decent. A fine bunch of people. It also operated military contract services, most notably DC-8 routes between Travis Air Force Base, California and Japan in the 1970s, followed by weekly 747 passenger service between Clark Air Base, Philippines, and St. Louis, Missouri via Japan, Alaska, and Los Angeles during the 1980s. To say thank you which could never cover the range of emotions Room parties and roof parties and lobby parties and oh, my goodness.. 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. In 1969, during the Vietnam War, a 21-year-old Seattle woman saw a job ad for a California cargo airline called the Flying Tiger Line that had a large presence in San Francisco. Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the US state of California. And welcome home. Thank you ladies. Travel the world, the ad said. I was Infantry so I knew I had reason to be worried, but these ladies put us all at ease, as much as was possible .. one of the truly great memories Im thankful to have .. We went out to the airstripvery early in the morning in a vehicle. In 1969, during the Vietnam War, a 21-year-old Seattle woman saw a job ad for a California cargo airline called the Flying Tiger Line that had a large presence in San Francisco. After an almost three hour delay, the airplane is back in the air and en-route to our final destination Vietnam. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 was a Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft, which is pictured here. We were goin up and up , the war down below, falling away now far behind us. And yes, we had a flight load of pucker factor and apprehension. With Tigers, they said, OK, make sure your hair isnt longer than your shoulders, and get on the plane.. On March 6, 1967, Flying Tigers first DC8-63F aircraft arrived. Im still trying to figure out how to coordinate one of our own with one of theirs. The aircraft operating the flight was a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation registered as N6921C. Thank you all. Read about what they talk about at their reunions. In 1969, during the Vietnam War, a 21-year-old Seattle woman saw a job ad for a California cargo airline called the Flying Tiger Line that had a large presence in San Francisco. The flight attendant standing at the top said see you in a year, Ill be wearing the same dress. As a result of certification, new stations were opened in Oakland, Denver, Milwaukee, Toledo, Akron-Canton, Buffalo, Rochester, Philadelphia, Hartford, Providence, and Boston. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 was a Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft, which is pictured here. . Yes, it was a memorable 4 day flight. I think i was numb, both ways. 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. Others slept for hours, exhausted and often traumatized from their experiences in Vietnam. God Bless those women who helped me on those hours headed home to start to feel like I might still have some humanity left in me. 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. I was on those flights, twice over and back although on other carriers. The aircraft was operating a MATS charter flight from Gander to Frankfurt. Great article .. enjoyed it more than my flight to Vietnam,but, what a wonderful sight when I walked out to the plane to return home. 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. Flying around the world over the North and South Poles, the Pole Cat set eight speed and distance records. If not for you, the World would be much worse off. 7 Aug 1989. I went and returned on a Flying Tiger plane and remember very well the sensitive and kind treatment from the stewardesses both directions. The company had a contract to fly U.S. servicemen into Vietnam and to bring troops home after their tours were complete. 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. one of conscious unease. Its ultimate destination was the Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers. From Tokyo we flew to Anchorage where we were grounded another 18 to 20 hours due to a snow storm and for some reason, Anchorage did not have deicing capability. I think it is great! They played cards with the guys, laughed with them. I very much enjoyed it and had no idea that those very attractive young ladies felt that way about us. Change). In 1965, Flying Tiger Line began operating jet aircraft when on September, 27, Web346 views 9 months ago. On September 3, 1983, Flying Tigers inaugurated scheduled B-747 service to Australia. Daniel Dattpla IIFFV Original Party. But the womens bond outlasted the death of the airline that brought them together. There were also 11 crew members onboard, giving a total occupancy of 107 people. Flying Tigers already had terminals at San Francisco, Burbank, San Diego, Chicago, Cleveland and Newark. Click on Links for More information About Each Plane. These were to take place in Honolulu, Wake Island, Guam, and the Philippines (Clark Air Base). Thank you ladies, as a veteran of several tours in the Nam, I always remembered those who catered to us as we flew to and from the zone and their efforts to help us feel comfortable as possible. 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. On March 18, 1956, a Flying Tiger Line Curtiss C-46 (N9995F), crashed at Pelly Bay, Canada after the left wing struck terrain while on a VFR approach, both pilots and the passenger survived, but the aircraft was written off. I had read everything in sight that was in the pocket of the seat in front of me. United States. I was a Flying Tiger Flight Attendant for 5 years, and those many experiences flying into Tan Son Nhut. I sat looking out the window the whole flight home, never said a word. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Not sure if the change in mood was due to smoked joints and beer, but it sure didnt hurt any. Leslie Pfeifer served aboard Flying Tiger Line from 1967 to 1970, making 75 return flights to South Vietnam. In one of its more dramatic moves, Tigers evacuated a number of Vietnamese "political refugees" and Vietnamese company employees and their families aboard departing aircraft during the "final hours" of US troop withdrawal, and impending Communist takeover in South Vietnam in 1975. 365 days later. The women say its what helped them keep their sanity, a support network that allowed them to face the heartbreak of the job as the true cost of the war emerged. 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. 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. That flight SUCKED., but at least I got out of that chit hole. Touching essay. Others supported the war, sympathizing with the soldiers and resenting those who scorned their service. Country. Ceased operations. Ardith (Vignati) Willner What I do remember is that the plane had a very unpleasant odor and the food was cold. All the ladies on all the flights were outstanding, especially the ones on the flight home that handled some of the rude guys in isle seats. The first full shipment consisted of grapes flown from Bakersfield, California to Atlanta, Georgia. I flew on Trans Carribiean twice from Travis and experienced the feelings described in the piece. 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. 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 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. Really hurt thinking about that after I was out in the field for a couple of weeks on c-rations. That same year, ground-breaking ceremonies took place for the companys World Headquarters at Los Angeles International Airport. Flew over on Military Transport (think it was a 141) The flight was a complete 3 stooges movie MATS had trouble w/plane. That was always the fun part, to take them out of there, remembered Gael Okicich, who flew with Tigers for 25 years. I was lucky enough to have regular contact with the flight crews as they came and went in and out of Tan San Nhut AB . December 31st, 1968 at the age of 20 we flew from Travis AFB to Anchorage Alaska. Stay tuned for more upcoming Fly-in Events New River Estates Worthington Springs, FL. And this aricle brought back many memories, both sad & scared, and delighted and full of joy! I flew into Sea-Trac on Flying Tiger Airlines from Camh Rhan October 4 , 1971. I was trying to keep from thinking about that. 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. On this last leg, the passengers are much more somber and thinking ahead to their landing in the war zone. The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. Large crew bases were situated at Los Angeles, New York City and Lockbourne, Ohio (Rickenbacker International Airport). This was the Tiger "Can-do" Spirit, may it never die. I extended in Vietnam so that I could get out early. After an almost three hour delay, the airplane is back in the air and en-route to our final destination Vietnam. The C-46s flew the domestic operation while the C-54s remained in overseas charter service. 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. In 1982, Flying Tigers flew relief flights to Warsaw, Poland. Very nice ,brings back feeling that are mostly good ones.Thank you ladies.I flew into DANANG twice the 2nd fight was with the Flying Tigars and a year later they flew me back to the states. As one observer put it, "Nobody brings in mail like those Tiger birds". Very interesting. Wonderful article and I went to Vietnam on Flying Tiger Airlines in 1966. 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. Thank you Flying Tiger! (LogOut/ On March 6, 1967, Flying Tigers first DC8-63F aircraft arrived. The Flying Tigers Boeing 707 POLECAT established speed and distance records on its pole-to-pole flight around the world. Thanks so much to all the people that participated in this adventure and thanks for helping us all get there and back. This represented a significant transition for the Flying Tigers, and paved the road to future success. The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. Contact Thank you to all who came out to join us for our BBQ Fly-in! It was important to stay upbeat, to act like every one of the men was coming home. I believe it helped to constantly stay connected with the world and the amazing young ladies that always had a smile and a kind word for the troops regardless of rank or service branch. WebThe Flying Tiger Line Incorporated. In 1984 the DC-8-63s were phased out as a result of Federal noise regulations that went into effect that year. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. I only just sat there, silently , the flight home to Fort Lewis. Its ultimate destination was the Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers. Interesting. Not a good way to start the year! In 1963, Air Cargo Operations moved back to the Los Angeles International Airport. The airliners were not just used to bring the soldiers home, but to fly them into the war zone as well. During the Vietnam years the Flying Tiger Line also worked overtime for the US Postal Service. Thanks! The first direct food and medical supplies from the United States to Phnom Penh was transported by Flying Tigers on Thanksgiving Day, 1979. Not Flying Tigers but nevertheless an unforgettable flight. A mysterious gang, The Black Snake Gang, is rising throughout the world. So they tried to keep it light. From 1979 to 1980 the Flying Tiger Line passed Pan Am to become the world's number one air cargo carrier. On September 9, 1958, a Flying Tiger Line. I didnt use Flying Tigers going to and from my two tours in Vietnam, but I DID fly with them in 1963 going home from a two-year stint in Korea. WebFlying Tiger: With Ron Ng, Lee Pace, Jamie B. Breen wanted to travel and supported the war she believed then that it was about fighting communism and after she saw a Flying Tigers want ad in The Chronicle, she soon found herself in flight attendant school, wearing the Tigers uniform of a grayish-blue skirt suit with black pumps and white gloves. Photo: The aircraft departed from Andersen AFB in Guam before disappearing over the Western Pacific Ocean. On October 25, 1983, Flying Tiger Line Flight 2468, a Douglas DC-8 (N797FT), ran off the runway at NAS Norfolk due to crew and ATC errors; all five on board survived; the aircraft was substantially damaged but was repaired and returned to service. The airline had its humble beginnings in Long Beach California with the Budd Conestoga, but by 1969 had upgraded its propeller-driven, piston engine fleet to one consisting entirely of jet freighters. The return to the States from RVN was like being in a decompression chamber. 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. Enjoyed the article, although my trip to Nam was aboard a C130 with alternating engines working. 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. 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