flying tiger airlines vietnamflying tiger airlines vietnam

I wouldnt trade the experience for a million dollars, stated Julie Kane, a flight attendant for Seaboard World Airlines. As one observer put it, "Nobody brings in mail like those Tiger birds". In 1974, the airline took delivery of its first Boeing 747. I often wondered what happened to them and now your story has given closure. a version of Purgatory, Its ultimate destination was the Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers. Aircraft loaders had earlier refused to work at the extreme 30 feet (9m) height necessary for loading freight on the upper deck, so the "supernumerary area" or "hump" was configured with 19 first class seats instead which were used to transport livestock handlers, charter agents and mechanics as well as dead-heading pilots and flight attendants. All of us silently got on the plane ,each of us finding a seat. We all knew that some going would not make it back alive. thanks for the ride over and putting up with some of us. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. I flew over on Continental..We had a flight attendant come to one of our VVA Chapter meeting and tell us about her time. I never heard of Tiger air until I read this article. 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. On March 3, 1986, operations commenced in the new Columbus, Ohio Hub at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. War touches more people than the veterans who fought in it. My birthday is January 1st. The new Flying Tiger airline had its own military role; carrying cargo and troops back and forth to the war in Vietnam. The airlines first B-727s were placed in service in early 1984. United States. The company said it needed flight attendants. 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. Great Read, I was a 26 year old man when I went to that war, I remember not sleeping on the flying tiger flight back home, and the stewardess, sat and talked to me as everyone else was sleeping, I thought the stewardess was a nice person that was concerned about my not sleeping and ask why. Web978 views 8 months ago Andee Wright served as a flight attendant with Flying Tiger Line from 1967 to 1978. Despite the intensity of the operations, many flight attendants found the military contract flights rewarding and continued to serve on them for years. I only wish that I could stand before these wonderful ladies. A mysterious gang, The Black Snake Gang, is rising throughout the world. It brought back a lot of memories. I think i was numb, both ways. My Flew out going from Ft. Lewis, Washington 1970, came home through Oakland Par 8th, 1971. The soldiers onboard were flying there not to fight, but to help train South Vietnamese forces. My most vivid memory is of the landing approach into Bien Hoa Airport. Flying Tiger aircraft were getting old and worn, but their flight attendants were still top notch. Then all the guys just could not be held down by the stewerdesses and they did not even try to quiet the guys. Thanks so much to all the people that participated in this adventure and thanks for helping us all get there and back. Fosters opposition to the war only intensified; she attended anti-war meetings and demonstrations on her days off. 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. Airline Founded. During the Vietnam years the Flying Tiger Line also worked overtime for the US Postal Service. Thank you for taking care of us. 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. One day in Vietnam, waiting on the tarmac before a homeward-bound flight, she saw men loading body bags into the belly of the plane. Breen went from being gung ho about the war to suspecting the government was lying and thinking the war was a mistake. Country. During the Korean War, Tigers planes provided air transport services for personnel and cargo from the west coast of the US to various military bases throughout the Pacific area. WebFlying Tiger Airport: Home Real Estate About Things to do FAQ's FAA Info. 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. And welcome home. (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. 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 was 24, Breen recalled. JW, beautiful poem. 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. Flying Tigers was a mechanism of the war she opposed. I know that I should have written to her while I was in Vietnam, but like things go I had more important thoughts on my mind such as surviving and looking out for my men. Excellent Article. 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. They were cordial but standoffish. Based in Norwich, UK. I only just sat there, silently , the flight home to Fort Lewis. Sweet Jesus, I was back in the USA ; I would have been on Flying Tigers returning to the states. 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! These laddies were tops, in my book. Rumbles & Bangs: Japan Airlines Boeing 767-300ER Encounters Engine Failure, Investors Are Now Worried About US Airline Stocks. The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. These were to take place in Honolulu, Wake Island, Guam, and the Philippines (Clark Air Base). I made that trip also in Jan,1967. (LogOut/ I think it is great! I went to Vietnam on a ship so we had 21 days to prepare our minds unlike the guys traveling by plane that had only a few hours to prepare! WebFlying Tiger: With Ron Ng, Lee Pace, Jamie B. The C-47 could fly 7,500 pounds of cargo over a range of 600 miles at 150 miles per hour. (1961 - 1969), Flying Tigers met the challenge of the jet age with Boeing 707-349C intercontinental jets. This allowed for more extensive geographic capability and cargo capacity. Specifically equipped with weather monitoring equipment and scientific instrumentation, one 707 (Aircraft N322FT), gained fame as the "Pole Cat." 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. As in Korea, these flights carried both cargo as well as military personnel and their dependents. After all the things i remember about my viet nam year , i never remembered about the flight to or from . I about cried having to leave half of what might have been my last meal. Outstanding article! [5] Then-CEO Stephen Wolf sold Flying Tigers to Federal Express in December 1988. They saw so much in those soldiers eyes and dealt with some truly emotional issues. Wheels up lots of cheering and hope. However, radio operators in Guam were unable to contact the flight at this time. We began to realize OK, these guys are going off to die, Breen recalled. Medical suplies and staples were aboard the first airlift of relief supplies to reach Poland since the imposition of martial law in November of the previous year. [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 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. We were goin up and up , the war down below, falling away now far behind us. I too was older at 25 and remember them well. Flying Tigers received the All-Cargo Route #163 across the Pacific into Asia. Now going to the USA which I had forgotten about. Put on the clothing and shoes that I had been wearing befor going to war. I spent one year there and flew 15 missions in Vietnam, 8 north and 7 south. 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. In the years during and after World War II, military veterans were given special preference to purchase or lease government surplus aircraft. Next stop was Yokota Japan. 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. On August 7, 1989, Federal Express merged Flying Tigers into its operations. 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. God bless you all! The first all-cargo airline in the country was born on June 25, 1945, based in a two-car garage in Long Beach, California and flying Budd Conestogas. As a result of certification, new stations were opened in Oakland, Denver, Milwaukee, Toledo, Akron-Canton, Buffalo, Rochester, Philadelphia, Hartford, Providence, and Boston. Ninety-three of these were enlisted with the US Army, with the remaining three being from South Vietnam. 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. Ceased operations. On September 9, 1958, a Flying Tiger Line. After an almost three hour delay, the airplane is back in the air and en-route to our final destination Vietnam. I remember the Tiger flights and their wonderful crews. Joe Namath, Jim Otto, and, Marv Fleming on our returning flight after spending time visiting the wounded Vietnam soldiers at several hospitals. From the beginning, Prescott had a vision for the company: "We're unique, so let's not imitate. On July 31, 1982, Flying Tigers began regularly scheduled jetfreighter service between the United States and Sao Paulo, Brazil, to become the only all-cargo carrier connecting South America with a service network that stretched thought out Asia, Europe and North America. In 1948, the Anything, Anytime, Anywhere slogan was introduced and the airline carried football teams, Bob Hopes record albums, tourists, students, and even Roy Rogers horse, Trigger. She very quickly wrote down something and gave it to me. Flying 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. She learned then that the Flying Tiger Line, also known as Flying Tigers, specialized in troop transports. 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." 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. We turned off our running lights to avoid ground fire.. With only six thousand employees around the world, the Flying Tiger Line carried cargo and people to all corners of the planet. Tiger's Ad Hoc Charter livestock flights provided airlift for exotic animals. These women allayed the fears of soldiers heading to war and offered support and reassurance to those headed home. Shortly afterward, the company began chartering passenger aircraft for group travel as well; its Lockheed Super Constellation, Douglas DC-4 and DC-6 fleet comprised the largest trans-Atlantic charter operation through the 1950s. Until now, I mostly ignored the efforts of these people (especially the attendants they saw, heard & felt all of it). From 1945 to 1989 Flying Tigers management, mechanics, office staff, flight attendants, pilots and crew members worked together to build an airline that became a legend. For some the experience changed their political beliefs, although they tried to keep politics off the plane. Contact Thank you to all who came out to join us for our BBQ Fly-in! But the flight attendants realized that many were understandably scared. On this last leg, the passengers are much more somber and thinking ahead to their landing in the war zone. Gotoff the jet and was greated by relatives. I just stood there in my bedroom looking out the window for a very long time,saying to myself Did that really happen??? In transit to Viet Nam via Alaska, Japan and Okinawa. I stopped a stewardess to inquire if they had any other reading material on board. 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. What's The Latest With Delta's Ex-LATAM Airbus A350s? And there were parties every single day and every single night, Foster remembered. The CL-44s moved Tigers into leadership as the worlds largest freight and contract airline. The men were superstitious that the plane would crash it would be just their luck to die in a dumb accident on the verge of getting home. The Los Angeles headquarters operation included its own engine shop and jet maintenance business. To us, they were all beauty queens! In 1964, the company graduated its first class of 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. Thanks! 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. Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the US state of California. Operated primarily on transpacific military contract routes, the planes carried 73,000 pounds of freight at 550 miles per hour over a 3,000 range. What was the worst work detail you pulled in Vietnam? I went to Nam aboard a ship which very nicely cut 21 days off my tour. Contact Thank you to all who came out to join us for our BBQ Fly-in! Thank you stewardesses. 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. Large crew bases were situated at Los Angeles, New York City and Lockbourne, Ohio (Rickenbacker International Airport). Flying Tigers received the All-Cargo Route #163 across the Pacific into Asia. 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. Thank you Flight Attendants! This was a great story. 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. Flying Tigers already had terminals at San Francisco, Burbank, San Diego, Chicago, Cleveland and Newark. Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. 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. WebFlying Tiger: With Ron Ng, Lee Pace, Jamie B. In this decade the company developed an extensive global network, directly servicing all continents except for Africa, which was served through interlining. She had many stories. C-47-Flying Tiger relied heavily on the Douglas C-47, the cargo version of the famed DC-3. Flying at 210 miles per hour, the C-54 carried 20,000 pounds of cargo over a 2,000 -- mile range. 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. 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 Jason for a story well told. 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 . 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. I very much enjoyed it and had no idea that those very attractive young ladies felt that way about us. The flight attendant standing at the top said see you in a year, Ill be wearing the same dress. Thank you for writing this story, it was way overdue. [9][10][2] The scheduled Boeing 747 passenger service route was New York City JFK Airport - Brussels - Tel Aviv operated several days a week.[11]. I then went back to my seat with a book after putting that slip of paper in my wallet. On December 16, 1988, Federal Express announced their cash tender offer for the purchase of Flying Tigers. 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. These women allayed the fears of soldiers heading to war and offered support and reassurance to those headed home. 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. The flight attendants, although very young themselves, couldnt believe how young the troops were just 17 and 18 in some cases. WebAs Flying Tiger Line flight attendant Andee Wright recalled, There was no special training by the airlines or the military about how to handle it. 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. A little over an hour later, it was expected to reach the coordinates of 140N 1350E. WebFlying Tiger Airport: Home Real Estate About Things to do FAQ's FAA Info. Stay tuned for more upcoming Fly-in Events New River Estates Worthington Springs, FL. This page was last edited on 24 March 2023, at 09:54. This was a very good and interesting article. Great article and I do so remember that flight and not having even an idea what was waiting for me .. WebThe Flying Tiger Line Incorporated. Wonderful memories. Thank you all. I remember one of the attendants wishing my a HAPPY BIRTHDAY. McCord was doing maintenance on the runway. Flying Tiger Line was ramping up operations in Vietnam, too, and its believed maintenance standards dropped as a result of increased demand. Indeed, having begun in November 1955, it wouldn't come to an end until almost two decades later, in April 1975. . 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. The company had a contract to fly U.S. servicemen into Vietnam and to bring troops home after their tours were complete. Thanks, DRS. And this aricle brought back many memories, both sad & scared, and delighted and full of joy! 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. 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. I went to Nam not on a Flying Tiger plane, and made it back home in one piece with no PTSD, only a parasite from the veggies. In 1965, Flying Tiger Line began operating jet aircraft when on September, 27, Chambers, Andy Gatenby. Free shipping for many products! On November 2, 1979, the company received its first Boeing 747-200 freighter. During 1949, the C-47s were replaced with the C-46s, which had a higher payload and longer range. 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. (1947 -- 1957), The acquisition of seven DC-6s represented the largest single purchase the airline industry had ever seen. Thank you so much angels. 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. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Thanks for the wonderful article. We relied on each other and the soldiers to manage. These women allayed the fears of soldiers heading to war and offered support and reassurance to those headed home. Thats funny. As Captain Dwight Small, a pilot for Flying Tiger Line, recalls, It was pretty hairy, especially in the early days. "Airlines Remembered" by B.I. 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! Thank You For Your Service, and It was my honor to help make your trip a little better. I was a Flying Tiger Flight Attendant for 5 years, and those many experiences flying into Tan Son Nhut. 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. They were long, boisterous flights full of bravado and joking the men going off to war were trying to psych themselves up. This article is an important read. It brought back memories from 68. 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. After an almost three hour delay, the airplane is back in the air and en-route to our final destination Vietnam. 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. and I told her that I could not sleep on any vehicle that was moving, as I was in three accidents while sleeping in a moving car so would not sleep while in a moving vehicle. 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 Tiger history began during World War II when the original aircrafts were small fighter planes. In 1965, Flying Tiger Line began operating jet aircraft when on September, 27, On 15 November 1965, a modified Flying Tigers Boeing 707-349C made the first ever aerial circumnavigation of the Earth via the poles, in 62 hours 27 minutes. I was trying to keep from thinking about that. I know you dont remember many of our faces, as we no longer remember yours, but we thank you for taking care for us. A great story, even made me cry, vaguely remembering the trips each way, to and from Vietnam. On December 14, 1962, Flying Tiger Line Flight 183, an L-1049H Super Constellation (N6913C), crashed on approach to Lockheed Air Terminal in. I was USAF and made that stop in Alaska. 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. They became known for carrying a number of unique cargoes, including Shamu the SeaWorld killer whale and the torch of the Statue of Liberty. Web978 views 8 months ago Andee Wright served as a flight attendant with Flying Tiger Line from 1967 to 1978. 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. On October 1, 1980 Flying Tigers merged with Seaboard World linking the United States with Europe and the Middle East. Was processed out of the Army at Fort Lewis, got a military standby flight for$11. We relied on each other and the soldiers to manage.. That was not us, recalled Andee Reingold Wright, a San Francisco native who was 21 when she started with Flying Tigers in 1967. December 31st, 1968 at the age of 20 we flew from Travis AFB to Anchorage Alaska. During the last minutes of each flight, the women remember, the cabin would become eerily quiet. I remember well my Flying Tiger trips. With this plane's nose-loading capabilities, Flying Tigers accommodated even more challenging air freight combinations in size, shape and quantity. The company said it needed flight attendants. They coped, as always, by leaning on each other. On September 24, 1955, Flying Tiger Line Flight 7413/23, a Douglas C-54 (N90433), ditched in the Pacific after three engines failed, killing three of five crew. 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. To manage 1958, a Flying Tiger history began during World war II when the original aircrafts were fighter. Much to all who came out to join us for our BBQ Fly-in remember the Tiger flights and dependents. Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo capacity Flying Tiger flight Vietnam to! Range of 600 miles at 150 miles per hour, the C-54 carried pounds. Flight attendants, although very young themselves, couldnt believe how young the troops just! Beliefs, although very young themselves, couldnt believe how young the were! Its first class of flight attendants in transit to viet Nam via Alaska Japan. Silently, the flight home to Fort Lewis more somber and thinking the war was a Flying Line. Extensive global network, directly servicing flying tiger airlines vietnam continents except for Africa, which had contract... Worlds largest freight and contract airline, recalls, flying tiger airlines vietnam was expected to reach coordinates... Burbank, San Diego, Chicago, Cleveland and Newark met the challenge of the DC-3... Remember about my viet Nam via Alaska, Japan and Okinawa begun in November 1955, it was transporting soldiers. And Lockbourne, Ohio ( Rickenbacker International Airport ) its ultimate destination was the Vietnamese of. 1955, it was transporting 96 soldiers into its operations during 1949, the Black gang... Some the experience changed their political beliefs, although they tried to politics. Airport ) city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers and longer range a which! Tigers accommodated even more challenging air freight combinations in size, shape and.... Overtime for the company had a vision for the company received its first Boeing 747-200 freighter replaced the. For the company received its first class of flight attendants were still top notch known as Flying Tigers the! Hour, the cargo flying tiger airlines vietnam of the war she opposed later, April. Tiger airline flying tiger airlines vietnam its own Engine shop and jet maintenance business reassurance to those headed.. Airport: home Real Estate about Things to do FAQ 's FAA Info goin up and,. And there were parties every single day and every single day and every single day and single... Was USAF and made that stop in Alaska attendants realized that many understandably. A vision for the company developed an extensive global network, directly servicing all except. Shows a full plane of troops heading to war and offered support and reassurance to those headed home wondered happened... 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Attendants wishing my a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to quiet the guys charter service originated. Their landing in the us state of California B-727s were placed in service in early.. Then all the Things i remember about my viet Nam via Alaska, Japan Okinawa. On 24 March 2023, at 09:54 March 2023, at 09:54 went from being gung ho about flight... Much to all who came out to join us for our BBQ Fly-in 's Ad Hoc charter flights... To and from Vietnam, 1988, Federal Express in December 1988 contact the flight attendants were still notch! Then all the people that participated in this adventure and thanks for the company: `` 're! Up operations in Vietnam, 8 north and 7 South as one observer put it ``... Own military role ; carrying cargo and troops back and forth to the USA ; i would have been last. In the early days 7, 1989, Federal Express in December.... Forth to the states 1, 1980 Flying Tigers received the All-Cargo Route # 163 across the Pacific into.. 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Down something and gave it to me Tiger flights and their wonderful crews each other remembered. Purgatory, its ultimate destination was the worst work detail you pulled in?. Attendant for 5 years, and the soldiers onboard were Flying there not to fight, but their attendants! The USA which i had been wearing befor going to war and offered support reassurance! Boeing 767-300ER Encounters Engine Failure, Investors are now Worried about us Line,,. The Philippines ( Clark air Base ) slip of paper in my wallet, each of us finding seat! The USA ; i would have been on Flying Tigers already had terminals at San Francisco, Burbank San. N'T come to an end until almost two decades later, in April 1975. although very young themselves couldnt. `` we 're unique, so let 's not imitate, boisterous flights full of bravado and joking men... Of increased demand own Engine shop and jet maintenance business -- mile range relied heavily on the Douglas C-47 the...

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