I know there were bad times but your article brought back memories I forgot I had. 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. That flight SUCKED., but at least I got out of that chit hole. In 1965, Flying Tiger Line began operating jet aircraft when on September, 27, I have just relived a very important part of my young life, thru these articles and the loving responses. 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. This was a great story. In 1965, Flying Tiger Line began operating jet aircraft when on September, 27, Departed Bien Hoa (21 Apr 69)) on Flying Tiger (Stretch 8) with fuel stop in Japan. Thank you ladies, Im one of those boys. It brought back a lot of memories. Mel Beers ret first sergeant . 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. The decent angle brought the entire plane to silence while they considered the reason for that radical decent. The companys participation in the Peruvian Airlift aided earthquake victims in the quake devastated country. An aspect of nowhere, These were to take place in Honolulu, Wake Island, Guam, and the Philippines (Clark Air Base). In the Vietnam airlift, Flying Tigers provided strategic flights from the US to numerous military bases throughout the Pacific and Southeast Asia geographic region. In 1984 the DC-8-63s were phased out as a result of Federal noise regulations that went into effect that year. I never heard of Tiger air until I read this article. She very quickly wrote down something and gave it to me. That sounded good to Linda Greenwalt Foster, who had just dropped out of college and was looking for an adventure. Flying Tigers received the All-Cargo Route #163 across the Pacific into Asia. I was trying to keep from thinking about that. Daniel Dattpla IIFFV Original Party. Expansion THe girls (attendants) were great cant saw much for the people of California . 7 Aug 1989. During 1949, the C-47s were replaced with the C-46s, which had a higher payload and longer range. After spending 1968 with 3RD MARDIV, came home aboard a luxurious Braniff 707. The company was started by Robert William Prescott. It was an effort conceived and accomplished by Flying Tigers employees throughout the companys world-wide system. "Airlines Remembered" by B.I. Really hurt thinking about that after I was out in the field for a couple of weeks on c-rations. Shamu the whale took a first ride on Flying Tigers. On December 16, 1988, Federal Express announced their cash tender offer for the purchase of Flying Tigers. They wanted to cry but stifled the impulse. The Flying Tiger Line then put in orders for brand new Boeing 747-200F freighters designated the Boeing 747-249F, which at the time were among the heaviest commercial airplanes flying, weighing in at 823,000 pounds (373,000kg). Not one of us said a word. I flew out of Travis Air Force Base and was on my way to Thailand. After all the things i remember about my viet nam year , i never remembered about the flight to or from . 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. Free shipping for many products! 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. Finally the plane started to move down the runway faster and faster. It truly was a great feeling being headed home. It was her name, address and telephone number with the instructions that if it didnt work out between me and my fiance after I came back to give her a call because she saw something in me that she had been looking for. Unfortunately for me I returned in a Medevac flight from Japan Yokosuka Naval Hospital. The return to the States from RVN was like being in a decompression chamber. Joe Namath, Jim Otto, and, Marv Fleming on our returning flight after spending time visiting the wounded Vietnam soldiers at several hospitals. And he said, Well, can you put all that aside when youre on the airplane and taking care of these boys? Foster recalled. These laddies were tops, in my book. 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. 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. It was important to stay upbeat, to act like every one of the men was coming home. 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. With only six thousand employees around the world, the Flying Tiger Line carried cargo and people to all corners of the planet. On November 2, 1979, the company received its first Boeing 747-200 freighter. [5] Then-CEO Stephen Wolf sold Flying Tigers to Federal Express in December 1988. Ninety-three of these were enlisted with the US Army, with the remaining three being from South Vietnam. United States. Flying Tigers sponsored the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia and transported equipment for the games. I have grieved for them ever since. For some the experience changed their political beliefs, although they tried to keep politics off the plane. A keen amateur photographer, he also recently reached the milestone of flying his 100th sector as a passenger. This presumed death toll made it the worst accident involving the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation. I flew into Sea-Trac on Flying Tiger Airlines from Camh Rhan October 4 , 1971. Also those that returned with ptsd, most of us. Wonderful article and I went to Vietnam on Flying Tiger Airlines in 1966. 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. The motto in the beginning was "Anything, Anytime, Anywhere". During the Vietnam years the Flying Tiger Line also worked overtime for the US Postal Service. Despite the intensity of the operations, many flight attendants found the military contract flights rewarding and continued to serve on them for years. We all wanted to get home, but wondered if this old crate could get us there. 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. That was always the fun part, to take them out of there, remembered Gael Okicich, who flew with Tigers for 25 years. changed me for the better many moons ago. For military personnel, it was a deeply emotional journey in both directions. I had read everything in sight that was in the pocket of the seat in front of me. Thank you for writing this story, it was way overdue. Web978 views 8 months ago Andee Wright served as a flight attendant with Flying Tiger Line from 1967 to 1978. 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. 1969 A major milestone 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. Also in 1962, the company initiated the first coordinated combination of sea and air transportation; later to become known as SeaTiger. Web978 views 8 months ago Andee Wright served as a flight attendant with Flying Tiger Line from 1967 to 1978. Thank you Flight Attendants! 365 days later. I recall the flight I took into Vietnam and even more than the flight I took home. LOTS FOR SALE! We began to realize OK, these guys are going off to die, Breen recalled. Now going to the USA which I had forgotten about. The aircraft was operating a Military Air Transport Service (MATS) cargo flight from Travis AFB to Kadena Air Base. We relied on each other and the soldiers to manage.. Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the US state of California. After an almost three hour delay, the airplane is back in the air and en-route to our final destination Vietnam. Mosher. (1974 -1989). Stay tuned for more upcoming Fly-in Events New River Estates Worthington Springs, FL. It supplied and supported covert operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, including providing support for drug smuggling in Laos. August 7, 1989 was the official merger date of Flying Tiger and Federal Express. where we are found aloft I only just sat there, silently , the flight home to Fort Lewis. There was more to this exciting excursion. She laughed. Thanks, DRS. Thank you! WebThe Flying Tiger Line Incorporated. Ceased operations. WebFlying Tiger Airport: Home Real Estate About Things to do FAQ's FAA Info. Its such a part of history, and our own personal history.. Never again! WebFlying Tiger: With Ron Ng, Lee Pace, Jamie B. Then all the guys just could not be held down by the stewerdesses and they did not even try to quiet the guys. The aircraft carried additional fuel in two additional tanks installed in the main cabin.[12]. More on this later). between heaven and hell. WebThe Flying Tiger Line Incorporated. 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. Others slept for hours, exhausted and often traumatized from their experiences in Vietnam. Contact Thank you to all who came out to join us for our BBQ Fly-in! The company had a contract to fly U.S. servicemen into Vietnam and to bring troops home after their tours were complete. 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. This allowed for more extensive geographic capability and cargo capacity. Not sure if the change in mood was due to smoked joints and beer, but it sure didnt hurt any. I wouldnt trade the experience for a million dollars, stated Julie Kane, a flight attendant for Seaboard World Airlines. I too was older at 25 and remember them well. From 1979 to 1980 the Flying Tiger Line passed Pan Am to become the world's number one air cargo carrier. Jason Fagone is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. It was a vivid reminder we were entering a war zone. 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. Thank you ladies. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. A very vulnerable feeling with out a weapon. 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. Thank You For Your Service, and It was my honor to help make your trip a little better. In 1962, the Vietnam War was far from over. I was a different person. In June 1946, the Budd Conestogas were replaced by C-47s. From the beginning, Prescott had a vision for the company: "We're unique, so let's not imitate. 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