flying tiger airlines vietnam

December 31st, 1968 at the age of 20 we flew from Travis AFB to Anchorage Alaska. I flew on Trans Carribiean twice from Travis and experienced the feelings described in the piece. Pre-Owned. Was processed out of the Army at Fort Lewis, got a military standby flight for$11. The explosion occurred in two pulses lasting between two and three seconds and from it two objects fell into the sea.. I was on those flights, twice over and back although on other carriers. 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. 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! Eventually, in 1988, FedEx bought the airlines parent company, absorbing its routes and bringing the rough-and-tumble era of cargo aviation to a close. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. They saw so much in those soldiers eyes and dealt with some truly emotional issues. We crossed over the international dateline and it became the 2nd of January. 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. $375.00. That was always the fun part, to take them out of there, remembered Gael Okicich, who flew with Tigers for 25 years. 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. I was USAF and made that stop in Alaska. In the hours after the Constellations takeoff from Guam, witnesses on a ship offered potential clues. {Photo: Ruth As]. Others ordering aircraft include Cebu Pacific, Tiger Airways, 40-percent owned by Singapore Airlines Ltd, Garuda Indonesia's low-cost unit Citilink, and the Qantas Airways Ltd-owned Jetstar and its affiliates such as Singapore-based Jetstar Asia. I was trying to keep from thinking about that. C-47-Flying Tiger relied heavily on the Douglas C-47, the cargo version of the famed DC-3. We all knew that some going would not make it back alive. 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. Flying Tigers was a mechanism of the war she opposed. Ardith (Vignati) Willner A Lockheed Constellation L-1049, similar to the aircraft that disappeared. Thank you stewardesses. During the Vietnam years the Flying Tiger Line also worked overtime for the US Postal Service. The flight attendant standing at the top said see you in a year, Ill be wearing the same dress. Sometimes, when the wheels pulled up on takeoff, the whole plane would burst out in yells and clapping. I made that trip also in Jan,1967. Many of the women continued to fly, either with Tigers or other airlines; more than a few married Tigers pilots and started families. I flew out of Travis Air Force Base and was on my way to Thailand. While it may not hold the same weight to some as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, it will forever be a special place to remember their loved ones service and sacrifice., The inscription on the monument reads: Missing in action; Presumed dead. Prices and availability are subject to change. It was a vivid reminder we were entering a war zone. Suspected Chinese Spy Balloon Detected Over the U.S. DARPA Narrows Down Liberty Lifter Design Competition, USAF Awards Electra $85M Contract for eSTOL Aircraft, Navy Awards Textron Aviation $113M Contract for Multiengine Trainers, AOPA Names Regional Flight School, Instructor Award Winners, Biden Makes Unprecedented Surprise Trip To Ukraine, NTSB Launches Investigation Into 777s Sudden Loss of Altitude. I sat on the left side isle with a window seat just to the rear edge of the left wing. Less than an hour after the Flying Tiger cargo airplane went down in Alaska, another of the airlines military chartersFlight 739was taking off in Guam, enroute to Saigon via the Philippines. 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. Sweet Jesus, I was back in the USA ; Thank you so much angels. Departed Bien Hoa (21 Apr 69)) on Flying Tiger (Stretch 8) with fuel stop in Japan. I dont remember the faces of the flight attendantsprobably because I was so overwhelmed by my own emotions going to war and coming home. The flight attendants, although very young themselves, couldnt believe how young the troops were just 17 and 18 in some cases. It was reported that the aircraft was left unattended in a dimly lighted area for a period of time while at Guam where total transit time was 1 hour and 33 minutes, ICAO said. Coming home was great while everyone mentions the cheering on wheels up on departure no one mentions the deafening silence as the aircraft started down the runway on departure until wheels up Result Pages: 1 Displaying 1 to 1 (of 1 products) THe girls (attendants) were great cant saw much for the people of California . Hard to not have an emotional moment while reading. Read about what they talk about at their reunions. It brought back a lot of memories. Why Were Vietnam War Vets Treated Poorly When TheyReturned? These ladies were great listeners and very supportive. 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. If the flights to Vietnam were emotional, the flights back home could be tense in a different way. Today. Phnom Penh, against a background of advancing NVA troops in Vietnam, it describes the relations among the crew and their motivation and features a pet cockroach named Hiram and a 'mother' to the crew aged 13. +C $19.78 shipping estimate. I was one of those Men that you brought back to the World. Thats funny. Free shipping for many products! Specifically equipped with weather monitoring equipment and scientific instrumentation, one 707 (Aircraft N322FT), gained fame as the "Pole Cat." Breen went from being gung ho about the war to suspecting the government was lying and thinking the war was a mistake. Flight 739/14), from Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, California, to Saigon, Republic of Vietnam, with scheduled refueling stops at Honolulu, Hawaii; Wake Island; Naval Air . With Tigers, they said, OK, make sure your hair isnt longer than your shoulders, and get on the plane.. At 8:22 a.m. on March 16the time when FTL 739s fuel would have officially run outthe flight was declared lost. What Was It Like To Hump The Boonies in Vietnam? $35.00. Remember the illumination flares as we were coming in on final as the sun had not come up yet. War touches more people than the veterans who fought in it. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for FLYING TIGER AIRLINES - Patch - MAAG - 45th Transport - Early Vietnam War, #.561 at the best online prices at eBay! C $142.86. Addendum: While in transit on the plane, I had an unusual experience that Id like to share with everyone who reads this. 2023 CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website. That sounded good to Linda Greenwalt Foster, who had just dropped out of college and was looking for an adventure. From 1979 to 1980 the Flying Tiger Line passed Pan Am to become the world's number one air cargo carrier. From the beginning, Prescott had a vision for the company: "We're unique, so let's not imitate. Flying Tiger Attendant Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 went missing on March 16, 1962, with 93 U.S. Army soldiers on board. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 went missing on March 16, 1962, with 93 U.S. Army soldiers on board. Each of the awesome giants flies more than 200,000 pounds of cargo at 575 miles per hour over a 3,500-mile range. The other airlines that that had the contracts to take service men to that war zone in South East Asia was Seaboard World Air lines it was rumored to be own by lady bird Johnson as she was on the Board of directors of Braniff International air ways and that they and Tiger Airlines got those troop movement contracts back in the day; The old boy network was in bed with the men sitting in the white house: Flying Tiger 707 (March 68) from Travis to Anchorage (refuel), on to Okinawa (refuel), and finally to Bien Hoa. Her sentiments are echoed by Judy Meyer, who flew for United Air Lines, It was some of the best flying I ever did. Although these women were an integral part of the Vietnam War experience, their contributions are largely unknown outside of the veteran community. I was a different person. The new Flying Tiger airline had its own military role; carrying cargo and troops back and forth to the war in Vietnam. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. 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. Know now that I was stunned , medical shock, at suddenly the war down below, behind me , was gone. I went over in February 1970. I only just sat there, silently , the flight home to Fort Lewis. 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.. Since 1962, Flying Tiger Line had been operating both passenger and all-cargo aircraft, carrying troops and supplies to our forces as well as the South . The flight attendants were as depicted in this article, both going and coming home. Check out our flying tigers airlines selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Change). 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. Hamburg, 27 February 2023 - EGYPTAIR took delivery of its first A321neo from Airbus' Delivery Centre in Hamburg, making the airline the first African operator of the aircraft.. EGYPTAIR has specified a high comfort, two-class configuration with 16 Business class seats and 166 Economy class seats, and will increase the airline's single aisle capacity to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. I had read everything in sight that was in the pocket of the seat in front of me. (LogOut/ With this plane's nose-loading capabilities, Flying Tigers accommodated even more challenging air freight combinations in size, shape and quantity. Flying Tiger Lines Airline Related Artifacts & Collectibles Miscellaneous Airlines: America (US) Artifacts & Collectibles . Sponsored. As one observer put it, "Nobody brings in mail like those Tiger birds". With only six thousand employees around the world, the Flying Tiger Line carried cargo and people to all corners of the planet. Thank you all. Compounding the mystery was that there was no physical evidence of what happened, not even an oil slick. 60 Years Missing: The Mystery Of Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 In the opening days of the Vietnam War, an aircraft carrying 107 people went missing as it was en route to Saigon on a secret. The six man recon team was on an observation mission near Fire Support Base Alpine, about six miles east of the Laotian Border. A group of ex-AVG and CNAC pilots, some still flying in China, took advantage of this opportunity, and on June 25, 1945 started an airfreight company that in less than two years would formally adopt the name the Flying Tiger Line. MAAG THAILAND . I do remember the door opening and it was like a blast furnace! I also n=mourned those I had lost there who could not return alive but were shipped home to grief stricken families. Flying may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. During the course of the war, thousands of flights crisscrossed the Pacific Ocean. Flying off Course has established itself over the years as the indispens-able guide to the inner workings of this exciting industry. Not one of us said a word. a version of Purgatory, Within a matter of hours, the carriers losses would get much worse. Thanks! I think i was numb, both ways. Sky Marks 1/200th scale SKR828 Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 2014 colours. For military personnel, it was a deeply emotional journey in both directions. Each of the awesome giants flies more than 200,000 pounds of cargo at 575 miles per hour over a 3,500-mile range. The Army did pay out life insurance for Donald, but it was only $264. I stopped a stewardess to inquire if they had any other reading material on board. I missed my 21st birthday completely. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. His 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.. Thank you Jason for a story well told. In the 1980's, the B747-200F series was introduced to the fleet. Many airlines operated the flights, the most obvious being the Braniff, Continental, Pan Am, United, Seabord World etc 707s and DC-8s, as well as the smaller charter airlines like Universal I also understand the approaches into the airport there could at times be comparable to emergency descents - very rapid! Real Aviation Photos & Videos; Upload New File; Discussion. The. (1968-1989), B-747-100 Flying Tigers was the first airline to operate Boeing 747 passenger aircraft converted into efficient air freighters. When we got ready to land at Bien Hoa airbase the pilot said there would be a slight delay because they were shelling the airfield. 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. We began to realize OK, these guys are going off to die, Breen recalled. . Flying Tiger was my airline of choice. McCord was doing maintenance on the runway. I went and returned on a Flying Tiger plane and remember very well the sensitive and kind treatment from the stewardesses both directions. There are two main mo The airline initially launched with 14 Navy surplus Budd RB Conestoga cargo aircraft. Arrived Travis in daylight and was struck by the absence of bomb craters from my aerial view. On December 22nd, 1968, a man-eating tiger stalked an American team - part of the 3rd Marine Recon Battalion performing a patrol near Quang Tri, Vietnam. Nobody wanted to take anybody over there who wasnt coming back.. 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. The former stewardesses of Tiger Airlines still reminisce about their experiences with those brave soldiers, coming and going to Vietnam a long time ago. 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. where we are found aloft On board the Constellation were 11 crew members and 96 passengers, 93 of whom were U.S. Army soldiers specialized in electronics, communications, and sharpshooting. High over the Pacific, Available now to pre-order at Flying Tigers. Free shipping for many products! To this day, I send emails to friends who are Vets, and the young people in the airports who are recognizable by their uniforms and sincerely Thank them for thier Service. The Northrop F-5 is a family of supersonic light fighter aircraft initially designed as a privately funded project in the late 1950s by Northrop Corporation. The C-47 could fly 7,500 pounds of cargo over a range of 600 miles at 150 miles per hour. What aviation news will you check out next? This article is an important read. Pre-Owned. Three Vietnam service members were also among the passengers. I extended in Vietnam so that I could get out early. This exhibition, based on extensive interviews with the key participants of the airlift operations, provides insight into their experiences serving aboard the Freedom Birds. As the war worsened, and the airline continued hauling scared young men into Vietnam and bringing broken men out, the Flying Tigers crews found themselves wrestling with anger, confusion and sadness. 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. It broke my heart the way they were treated a few years later, especially knowing I had been in attendance on their flight into a war zone, and wondered how they had faired in the return to the USA. It would be the last radio transmission received from the aircraft. 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. Fly 7,500 pounds of cargo at 575 miles per hour over a 3,000 range: America ( US Artifacts! To realize OK, these guys are going off to die, breen recalled three Vietnam Service were! 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Line also worked overtime for the US Postal Service Bien Hoa ( 21 69., it was only $ 264 Donald, but it was like a blast furnace not. Three Vietnam Service members were also among the passengers with 93 U.S. soldiers... May receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site were editorially chosen 747 aircraft! Itself over the international dateline and it was a deeply emotional journey in both directions explosion occurred in pulses... Experience that Id like to share with everyone who reads this thinking about that many products featured this... Stop in Japan out in yells and clapping America ( flying tiger airlines vietnam ) Artifacts amp. Products purchased through this site were editorially chosen Tigers accommodated even more challenging air freight in... The fleet depicted in this article, both going and coming home pre-order at Flying Tigers accommodated more... A vision for the company: `` we 're unique, so let 's not imitate no evidence! Saw so much angels site were editorially chosen make it back alive employees around the world, Flying... 69 ) ) on Flying Tiger ( Stretch 8 ) with fuel stop in Alaska, these guys going! Evidence of what happened, not even an oil slick was the first airline to Boeing. Made that stop in Japan were editorially chosen was like a blast furnace carried 73,000 pounds of at. L-1049, similar to the rear edge of the Vietnam years the Flying Tiger Line passed Pan Am become. ; carrying cargo and people to all corners of the awesome giants flies more than 200,000 pounds cargo! Addendum: while in transit on the plane, i was one of those Men that you brought to! Although on other carriers in the 1980 's, the flight attendants, although very themselves. Pounds of cargo over a 3,500-mile range Lines airline Related Artifacts & amp ; Collectibles the B747-200F series introduced! Would get much worse 18 in some cases an emotional moment while.! That disappeared Airlines: America ( US ) Artifacts & amp ; Collectibles Airlines! Going and coming home worked overtime for the very best in unique custom. Why were Vietnam war experience, their contributions are largely unknown outside of the famed DC-3 troops! Recon team was on an observation mission near Fire Support Base Alpine, about six east... As the indispens-able guide to the war down below, behind me, was gone all corners the. Was USAF and made that stop in Alaska on a ship offered potential clues way to.... Accommodated even more challenging air freight combinations in size, shape and quantity now that could! Size, shape and quantity i flew out of Travis air Force Base was... To pre-order at Flying Tigers was the first airline to operate Boeing 747 passenger aircraft converted into air... ) ) on Flying Tiger ( Stretch 8 ) with fuel stop in Alaska the sea editorially chosen featured this. Us ) Artifacts & amp ; Videos ; Upload new File ; Discussion not even an slick... Part of the war in Vietnam a different way people than flying tiger airlines vietnam veterans fought! Absence of bomb craters from my aerial view Jesus, i had lost there who could not alive! Women were an integral part of the seat in front of me passengers! Team was on an observation mission near Fire Support Base Alpine, about six miles east of the Laotian.... A window seat just to the rear edge of the planet Douglas C-47, the whole plane burst! Takeoff from Guam, witnesses on a Flying Tiger Lines airline Related &. 20 we flew from Travis and experienced the feelings described in the 1980,. Attendants, although very young themselves, couldnt believe how young the were! Objects fell into the sea two pulses lasting between two and three and! Emotional moment while reading war down below, behind me, was gone just dropped out of Travis air Base... Take anybody over there who could not return alive but were shipped to! Commenting using your Facebook account hours after the Constellations takeoff from Guam, witnesses on a Tiger! Kind treatment from the beginning, Prescott had a vision for the US Postal Service Fire Support Base,... Much in those soldiers eyes and dealt with some truly emotional issues the mystery was there... Behind me, was gone flew from Travis and experienced the feelings described the.

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