In the 1980's, the B747-200F series was introduced to the fleet. 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. 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. By the mid-1980s, Flying Tigers operated scheduled cargo service to six continents and served 58 countries. The flight attendant standing at the top said see you in a year, Ill be wearing the same dress. Remember the pungent fish smell and heat as we deplaned. They saw so much in those soldiers eyes and dealt with some truly emotional issues. The flight attendants were as depicted in this article, both going and coming home. Read about what they talk about at their reunions. The aircraft was operating a MATS charter flight from Gander to Frankfurt. 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. Indeed, having begun in November 1955, it wouldn't come to an end until almost two decades later, in April 1975. In 1962, the Vietnam War was far from over. 2023 CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website. The C-46s flew the domestic operation while the C-54s remained in overseas charter service. Travel the world, the ad said. I went and returned on a Flying Tiger plane and remember very well the sensitive and kind treatment from the stewardesses both directions. A mysterious gang, The Black Snake Gang, is rising throughout the world. The plane very quiet, Very good article. Landed in Saigon. I know the feelings, having done the flights in 68 & 70. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 was a Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft, which is pictured here. Tiger's Ad Hoc Charter livestock flights provided airlift for exotic animals. We all knew that some going would not make it back alive. She learned then that the Flying Tiger Line, also known as Flying Tigers, specialized in troop transports. I went to Nam aboard a ship which very nicely cut 21 days off my tour. Enjoyed the article, although my trip to Nam was aboard a C130 with alternating engines working. High over the Pacific, Thanks! A keen amateur photographer, he also recently reached the milestone of flying his 100th sector as a passenger. Thank you and God Bless you all!!!! 2019 by the San Francisco Airport Commission. Not Flying Tigers but nevertheless an unforgettable flight. The return to the States from RVN was like being in a decompression chamber. Mel Beers ret first sergeant . I went over in February 1970. After 1970, scheduled commercial service, much of which consisted of Asian imports, rapidly overtook military related contracts as the company's primary source of income. A FLY-IN COMMUNITY! 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. The airlines first B-727s were placed in service in early 1984. WebThe Flying Tiger Line Incorporated. Country. 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. "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. 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! Was I really in a real war??? The flight attendants, although very young themselves, couldnt believe how young the troops were just 17 and 18 in some cases. And welcome home. 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. [1] It was headquartered on the grounds of Los Angeles International Airport in Westchester, Los Angeles, California. 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 . Not a good way to start the year! Others supported the war, sympathizing with the soldiers and resenting those who scorned their service. War touches more people than the veterans who fought in it. Interesting. Flying Tiger was my airline of choice. changed me for the better many moons ago. Sources: ATDB.aero, Aviation Safety Network, The Free Lance-Star. Web346 views 9 months ago. Thank you Jason for a story well told. Each of the awesome giants flies more than 200,000 pounds of cargo at 575 miles per hour over a 3,500-mile range. 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. (1961 - 1969), Flying Tigers met the challenge of the jet age with Boeing 707-349C intercontinental jets. Afraid that at any moment a rocket or mortor could could take the jet down. 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. 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. The soldiers onboard were flying there not to fight, but to help train South Vietnamese forces. I have no comment for this person, He/she is beyond help. What aviation news will you check out next? Federal Express (FM / FDX) Base / Main Hub. McCord was doing maintenance on the runway. That was always the fun part, to take them out of there, remembered Gael Okicich, who flew with Tigers for 25 years. 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. Photo: The aircraft departed from Andersen AFB in Guam before disappearing over the Western Pacific Ocean. Photo: USAF/Mike Andriacco via Wikimedia Commons, ITA Airways To Fly Pope To Budapest On An Airbus A320neo, How Ethiopian Airlines Is Working To Accelerate African Aviation's Development, 92.8%: Scoot Posts Its Highest Ever Load Factor In March 2023. 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. During the Korean War, 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 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. The aircraft carried additional fuel in two additional tanks installed in the main cabin.[12]. 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. That flight SUCKED., but at least I got out of that chit hole. 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. I flew out of Travis Air Force Base and was on my way to Thailand. The Swingtails were so nicknamed because their tails literally swung away from the aircraft for loading. 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. Also in 1962, the company initiated the first coordinated combination of sea and air transportation; later to become known as SeaTiger. In 1965, the company received two Boeing 707-320C freighters and became part of the jet age. What I do remember is that the plane had a very unpleasant odor and the food was cold. Flew over on Military Transport (think it was a 141) The flight was a complete 3 stooges movie MATS had trouble w/plane. Touching essay. In June 1946, the Budd Conestogas were replaced by C-47s. I know you dont remember many of our faces, as we no longer remember yours, but we thank you for taking care for us. In 1974, the airline took delivery of its first Boeing 747. Like you were going to hang around. 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 at 210 miles per hour, the C-54 carried 20,000 pounds of cargo over a 2,000 -- mile range. But for the ladies I say Thank you I was one of those 18 year old boys that was scared to death. I only wish that I could stand before these wonderful ladies. With only six thousand employees around the world, the Flying Tiger Line carried cargo and people to all corners of the planet. Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. Flying Tigers sponsored the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia and transported equipment for the games. United States. But the flight attendants realized that many were understandably scared. I about cried having to leave half of what might have been my last meal. I came back on a USAF flight as I was in a 1-1/2 hip spika cast they called it. After I got wounded and my things taken from me in triage, I never saw that slip of paper again. . Flying Tigers received the All-Cargo Route #163 across the Pacific into Asia. Tigers flew 176 missions to Phnom Penh providing 17 million pounds of rice to the besieged city. I was old as dirt to them.. During 1949, the C-47s were replaced with the C-46s, which had a higher payload and longer range. It was a vivid reminder we were entering a war zone. a version of Purgatory, I think i was numb, both ways. As in Korea, these flights carried both cargo as well as military personnel and their dependents. Dont remember who flew me over my second trip in Dec. 71. And he said, Well, can you put all that aside when youre on the airplane and taking care of these boys? Foster recalled. 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. There were also 11 crew members onboard, giving a total occupancy of 107 people. Wish I still knew a few of these darlings. Great article, spot on! In January 1946, the airline moved to Mines Field (later to become Los Angeles International Airport). Hengi, Midland Publishing, List of defunct airlines of the United States. United States. Those ladies had a very important part in the war and they are to be commended for their service. Leslie Pfeifer served aboard Flying Tiger Line from 1967 to 1970, making 75 return flights to South Vietnam. The Statue of Liberty torch flew on Flying Tigers. )I was engaged and (2.) 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. 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. I had read everything in sight that was in the pocket of the seat in front of me. I very much enjoyed it and had no idea that those very attractive young ladies felt that way about us. (1947 -- 1957), The acquisition of seven DC-6s represented the largest single purchase the airline industry had ever seen. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 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