Kimberly is managing editor of FLYING digital. each of us inside were scared because for the first time non of us were wearing helmets, flack jackets, no weapons or ammo. 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. Asia Pacific Low Cost Airline of the Year 2019. Opens in a new window or tab. From Singapore, there are three daily direct flights that arrive in Ho Chi Minh City. It wasnt my style to go asking every woman that I met to get her address and telephone number, besides I had more important things on my mind. I had read everything in sight that was in the pocket of the seat in front of me. By 1949, the Flying Tiger Line had won approval for the first commercial all-cargo route in the U.S., according to an organization devoted to its history. During her position on the Board she was editor of the Newsletter from May 2007 through March 2014; as well as coordinating the 500 Club Board in the Flying Tigers room at Flight Path Museum and Learning Center. I was USAF and made that stop in Alaska. they developed an air delivery system that has become the standard by almost Thanks, DRS. These men and their flight crew perished in what would become one of the biggest aviation. On Wednesday morning in Sacramento, as many as 30 former flight attendants for the airline are reuniting to honor servicemen killed in the war. But some homeward-bound passengers were belligerent, unpredictable. 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. from United States. 302/3 Kim Ma Street, Ngoc Khanh Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam. Such as, I didnt know if I was going to make it back and not wanting to think about that. If the flights to Vietnam were emotional, the flights back home could be tense in a different way. Not only told to leave, but not to come back. These flights were also a powerful and moving experience for a generation of young women who served aboard these aircraft as flight attendants. The Secretary of the Army has asked me to express his deep regret that your son Specialist Donald A Sargent was a passenger aboard a chartered aircraft that was reported missing while in flight over the Pacific Ocean on 15 March 1962, the telegram read. Nothing about lithium batteries in here, but tigers did fly about every type of ammunition and explosives back in the day and it never caused an accident. I know there were bad times but your article brought back memories I forgot I had. C-47-Flying Tiger relied heavily on the Douglas C-47, the cargo version of the famed DC-3. There was more to this exciting excursion. Flying Tigers Airlines 24k Cocktail Glass Vtg 1980s VHTF NOS Norma Jean Wright . For the government not to recognize them is heartbreaking, she said. Itprovides a unique insight into the economics and marketing of inter-national airlines. The extension allowed a 30 trip home so I had 2 Tiger flights in and 2 out. Its ultimate destination was the Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers. The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. Despite the intensity of the operations, many flight attendants found the military contract flights rewarding and continued to serve on them for years. More on this later). As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Flying Tiger Line the world's largest all-cargo airline, I had the direct responsibility for our operations in South Vietnam. Great article with great info, I remember in 1968 when I went. And welcome home. Thats incomprehensible. Mr. Fagones article is very touching and reminds us that many more people than just we former service men and women are veterans of the Vietnam War. I remember we had trouble on departure from Travis and then landed at Hickham and had to spend the night awaiting a replacement aircraft. Related thread from 2010: Ardith (Vignati) Willner Looking back, I owe them my deep thanks for doing their job so splendidly despite the emotional roller-coaster they must have been on. In transit to Viet Nam via Alaska, Japan and Okinawa. Finally the plane started to move down the runway faster and faster. Very interesting. Sign up | Sign in. Top 50 best listed companies in Vietnam. Its variants seat 242 to 335 passengers in typical three-class seating configurations. Daniel Dattpla IIFFV Original Party. 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. Change). That flight SUCKED., but at least I got out of that chit hole. flying tigers airlines was the prenier air cargo air carrier of the world long before fedex even considered overseas deliveries. 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. 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. Know now that I was stunned , medical shock, at suddenly the war down below, behind me , was gone. 2019 by the San Francisco Airport Commission. Reply 29th Aug 2010, 11:32 Its such a part of history, and our own personal history.. The captain and crew of the S.S. T. L. Lenzen, a Standard Oil Company tanker, reported that at around 1:30 a.m. (1530 GMT) on the morning of March 16, they saw what looked to be a midair explosion near the position and at the time that had been estimated by the aircrafts pilot. They were again ordered to Vietnam with Marine Aircraft Group 36 at Phu Bai in 1969 and remained there until their return . Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 was a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation propliner chartered by the United States military that disappeared on March 16, 1962, over the Western Pacific Ocean. ber 1.000.000 Bilder Budd Conestoga Gen. -- Flying Tiger Line's first aircraft was the Budd Conestoga, an all -- stainless steel, rear--loading, twin--engine aircraft. On the other hand, airlines from Australia, Singapore, India, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Switzerland, Denmark, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Russia all fly direct to Phuket - Thailand's . In a review of evidence, investigators later determined that access to flight line and ramp areas in Honolulu, Wake Island, and Guam allowed unchallenged access to anyone desiring entry, including non-military aircraft. No such thing happened, as I was at that location in May of 1970. Many flight attendants struggled at first to contain their own emotions. for the first time, when I read this article, I remembered the cheer that went up spontaneously when we pulled up to about 10,000 feet and realized we were safety out of rocket/mortar danger and headed for 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. All rights reserved. Pre-Owned. 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. Top Rated Seller Top Rated Seller. It would be the last radio transmission received from the aircraft. War touches more people than the veterans who fought in it. Thanks for the wonderful article. The. From the beginning, Prescott had a vision for the company: "We're unique, so let's not imitate. Its ultimate destination was the Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers. 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. 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. Welcome Home with many thank you for all your support of the Vietnam veterans!! If you've . Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. $375.00. The Flying Tiger Line lost four airplanes to crashes with fatalities in 1962. I spent one year there and flew 15 missions in Vietnam, 8 north and 7 south. At 11:15PM June 29, 1968 I left Bien Hoa airport on a Trans International DC-10. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. They wanted to cry but stifled the impulse. Some say it was sabotage, she said. I was 24, Breen recalled. 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 . And this aricle brought back many memories, both sad & scared, and delighted and full of joy! While there I recall them telling us that there are enemy at the end of the runway and when we take off we are pulling up as fast as we can to keep from being hit. 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. Fosters opposition to the war only intensified; she attended anti-war meetings and demonstrations on her days off. Reach further with Vietnam Airlines flights, a Skyteam member and a global leading 4-Star Skytrax and awarded airline. Antique Airlines Vietnam Flying Tiger Vintage Pin Gold Tone Enamel Metal. I flew into Sea-Trac on Flying Tiger Airlines from Camh Rhan October 4 , 1971. A true airfreighted with a unique swing-tail design, the CL-44 permitted the straight-in loading of freight no other plane could carry. So they tried to keep it light. The Boeing 737 is a narrow-body aircraft produced by Boeing at its Renton Factory in Washington. With this plane's nose-loading capabilities, Flying Tigers accommodated even more challenging air freight combinations in size, shape and quantity. I think it is great! I sat on the left side isle with a window seat just to the rear edge of the left wing. 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." Theres nothing, no trace of anything, said Jennifer Kirk, niece of an Army Ranger who was on board Flight 739. And many didnt know what to think, caught between respect for the military and horror over the fates of the boys on their flights. Carrying 32,000 pounds of cargo at 275 miles per hour with a 2,000 mile range, the DC-6A carried more, cheaper and faster than any other aircraft flying at the time. Joe Namath, Jim Otto, and, Marv Fleming on our returning flight after spending time visiting the wounded Vietnam soldiers at several hospitals. C $52.00. The pilot is believed to have misjudged distance and altitude while making the final approach, a report would later conclude. Flying the Freedom Birds Airlines and the Vietnam War Freedom Bird. What aviation news will you check out next? 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. I commented, and the person deleted my comme. Ninety-three of these were enlisted with the US Army, with the remaining three being from South Vietnam. All deals. We were eventually invited to leave the club and told to not come back Welcome Home from the USAF in Kadena. The flight had originated at Travis AFB, Ca. we sat silently in the darkness almost trying to will ourselves into that jet thru the air. Flying Tiger was my airline of choice. Conditions were, however, well within the weather minimums set for the airline at the landing strip of a 400-ft ceiling and three-quarter-miles visibility, a report later noted. And after the fall of Saigon in 1975, when the war ended, they remained connected. My birthday is January 1st. 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. Color photograph of Flying Tiger Line's Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation N6921C. Established at the end of the Second World War, Flying Tiger Line made history as the first US-based scheduled cargo-carrying airline. Wonderful article and I went to Vietnam on Flying Tiger Airlines in 1966. Like you were going to hang around. Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests. I have never heard this or found any reference on it, but I knew it would be of interest - AB According to the Aviation Safety Network, it first flew in 1957, and had amassed a total of 17,224 hours. Developed to supplement the Boeing 727 on short and thin routes, the twinjet retains the 707 fuselage width and six abreast seating with two underwing turbofans. Dont remember who flew me over my second trip in Dec. 71. Copyright 2023 Flying Media. 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. Theyre being pushed aside to be forgotten, Kirk said. They were long, boisterous flights full of bravado and joking the men going off to war were trying to psych themselves up. (1968-1989), B-747-100 Flying Tigers was the first airline to operate Boeing 747 passenger aircraft converted into efficient air freighters. The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 went missing on March 16, 1962, with 93 U.S. Army soldiers on board. Crossing the international date line was my experience in time travel. Remember the illumination flares as we were coming in on final as the sun had not come up yet. By the mid-1960s, it was flying scheduled transpacific all-cargo routes and in the late 1980s, it was acquired by Federal Express. The aircraft operating the flight was a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation registered as N6921C. JW, beautiful poem. Quickview. Notable among the Tigers' achievements were their participation in both the Korean and Vietnam airlifts. I stopped a stewardess to inquire if they had any other reading material on board. The flight attendants, although very young themselves, couldnt believe how young the troops were just 17 and 18 in some cases. 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. Nobody wanted to take anybody over there who wasnt coming back.. To say thank you which could never cover the range of emotions Margi has been a Member of the Flying Tigers Club Board of Directors, and served as Club Secretary since May 2007. You have my deepest sympathy during this trying time. It was signed by Maj. Gen. J.C. Lambert, The Adjutant General of the U.S. Army. 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. 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 Station Agana, Guam; and Clark Air Force Base, Luzon, Flying at 210 miles per hour, the C-54 carried 20,000 pounds of cargo over a 2,000 -- mile range. I have no comment for this person, He/she is beyond help. SOLD!!! This was a very good and interesting article. Pre-Owned. He settled into a niche with the "Flying Tiger Line", an airline started by pilots that gained fame by trouncing superior, in number, forces of Japanese warplanes. )I was engaged and (2.) or Best Offer. Despite its modest size, Vietnam attracts tourists from all over the world with plenty to offer: expansive paddy fields, white-sand beaches, modern cities, hundred-year-old temples, limestone islands rising dramatically from under the ocean, magnificent natural caves, and minority communities with fascinating cultural traits. Several of these commercial flights left daily from military air bases on the west coast, ferrying newly trained soldiers across the Pacific Ocean to war - replacements not only for those injured and killed soldiers, but also for those young men who survived their twelve month war and were now going home. US Army CNN The families of soldiers lost while taking part in a secret US mission during. Some years ago I made contact with one of those stewardesses and found out about their reunions. Their names have been excluded from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., a wrong their families are trying to right. AU $157.06. The flights depart at 7:35 (SIN time), 13:10 (SIN time) and 15:15 (SIN time). That was always the fun part, to take them out of there, remembered Gael Okicich, who flew with Tigers for 25 years. Thank you stewardesses. This article is an important read. As one observer put it, "Nobody brings in mail like those Tiger birds". . 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. 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. I went to Nam aboard a ship which very nicely cut 21 days off my tour. I recall the flight I took into Vietnam and even more than the flight I took home. Real Aviation Photos & Videos; Upload New File; Discussion. (1949 - 1961), C-54 Gen. -- The C-54, first of the four--engine air freighters, was used by Flying Tigers in the largest, longest airlift ever flown by a private contractor -- supplying the American Occupation Forces in Japan. How much is the cheapest flight to Vietnam? Flight 7816, a cargo flight, was enroute from Travis Air Force Base, California to Japan. Indeed, having begun in November 1955, it wouldn't come to an end until almost two decades later, in April 1975. The company had a contract to fly U.S. servicemen into Vietnam and to bring troops home after their tours were complete. 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. It was the first time I was truly surrounded around military men, and I was overwhelmed by their commitment and belief in their mission. Interesting. I went back and was thumbing through all of the books there trying to find something that would keep me preoccupied from thinking about Viet Nam. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Veterans Affairs also bought a headstone marker, but even in that, the sense of military courtesy for the family seemed to evaporate, too. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Air Jet Advance Flying Tiger Cargo Airlines 1:200 B747 Freighter Model Airplane at the best online prices at eBay! This presumed death toll made it the worst accident involving the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation. 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. My most vivid memory is of the landing approach into Bien Hoa Airport. And he said, Well, can you put all that aside when youre on the airplane and taking care of these boys? Foster recalled. The flight from Guam to the next layover was to take about 6 hours and 20 minutes, but the Constellation had enough fuel for nearly 10 hours of flight, according to an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) accident report documenting the incident. Addendum: While in transit on the plane, I had an unusual experience that Id like to share with everyone who reads this. The aircraft that disappeared was around five years old. . The C-47 could fly 7,500 pounds of cargo over a range of 600 miles at 150 miles per hour. Photo: The aircraft departed from Andersen AFB in Guam before disappearing over the Western Pacific Ocean. Nonetheless, it reached Guam as planned on March 15th. After the aircraft failed to arrive at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, the flight was declared as having gone missing on the morning of March 16th, 1962. 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. I was one of those Men that you brought back to the World. . Great article and I do so remember that flight and not having even an idea what was waiting for me .. I for one of many of us flew Tiger Airlines going and coming. It brought back a lot of memories. The years after the Vietnam war saw continued growth for the Flying Tigers. (1957 - 1967), Flying Tigers acquired the first turbine-powered air-freighter placed in service when it purchased a $55-million fleet of Canadair CL-44s in 1961. 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. B-747-100 Flying Tigers was the first airline to operate Boeing 747 passenger aircraft converted into efficient air freighters. $27.95. Flying with Vietjet with thousands of tickets. Malaysia Airlines, Royal Jordanian,SAS, Thai International, Vietnam Airlines and most notably SingaporeAirlines, where I . View Product. Onboard were 107 people, all of whom remain missing as the aircraft was never found after its disappearance. These men and their flight crew perished in what would become one of the biggest aviation mysteries out of the Vietnam War era. Thank you for writing this story, it was way overdue. After I got wounded and my things taken from me in triage, I never saw that slip of paper again. The flight attendant standing at the top said see you in a year, Ill be wearing the same dress. Despite her personal beliefs, Foster reasoned that nobody needed better care than men heading to a war or coming back from one, and she decided to sign on. Free shipping for many products! 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. March 15, 1962, marked the first day of the Vietnam War Campaign, according to U.S. Army historians. Their service to our military was so much more than just being a flight attendant on their way over or coming home. Thank you Flight Attendants! With only six thousand employees around the world, the Flying Tiger Line carried cargo and people to all corners of the planet. This allowed for more extensive geographic capability and cargo capacity. (1946-1951), C-46 Gen. -- The Curtis C-46 "Commando" that Flying Tigers flew on supply missions over the Hump during World War II came home for civilian duty, joining Flying Tigers' fleet in 1949. (1947 -- 1957), The acquisition of seven DC-6s represented the largest single purchase the airline industry had ever seen. He graduated high school and he could have gone to work in the woods, or he could have joined the military, Kirk, his niece, told FLYING. All attempts to re-establish contact with the flight were unsuccessful.. Flying Tiger Flight 739 had arrived at Guam at 11:14 GMT from Wake Island. C $142.86. As the vapor trail passed behind a cloud, there occurred an explosion, described as intensely luminous, with a white nucleus surrounded by a reddish-orange periphery with radial lines of identically coloured light. Never again! We turned off our running lights to avoid ground fire.. No lights on the plane in the dark. This article was greatdefined exactly how it was when we flew homeI left Vietnam on or about the 5th of January 1968 & Flying Tigers was my carrier! Her reporting has taken her from an international airport terminal under construction to foot patrols with U.S. Marines outside combat outposts in Iraq and Afghanistan. It would be the first of a list of expected things that wouldnt materialize for the family, according to Kirk. The soldiers on Flight 739 were on a mission to do whatever the government told them to do, Kirk said. Thank you Jason for a story well told. I only just sat there, silently , the flight home to Fort Lewis. Sellers with highest buyer ratings; The airliners were not just used to bring the soldiers home, but to fly them into the war zone as well. . If not for you, the World would be much worse off. The "Flying Tigers" (formally known as the American Volunteer Group or AVG) were famous for being in the fight very early in World War II. 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. It wasnt delivered, Kirk said. It began on Christmas Day, 1950, with Operation STEM, America's Special Technical & Economic Mission, the cover for . If I remember correctly I went over on Continental and came back on United. The monument in Maine has given many families a sense of peace that finally their loved ones names are recognized. Six decades later, and the families of those onboard Flight 739 still dont know what happened. One of the seven people on boardthe flight engineerwas killed in a fire that destroyed the aircraft and all its contents. Flying Tiger aircraft were getting old and worn, but their flight attendants were still top notch. Additional terms apply. Flying Tiger Line was the first scheduled cargo airline in the U.S., founded by ex-military pilots in 1945. Flying Tigers Line Flight 739, a Lockheed L-1049H, was chartered by the United States military. Meanwhile, the flight attendants were becoming like a family. Air sorties searching for clues racked up more than 3,417 flying hours. merging Ocean and Sky. Then all the guys just could not be held down by the stewerdesses and they did not even try to quiet the guys. Although very young themselves, couldnt believe how young the troops were just 17 and 18 in some.... Invited to leave the club and told to leave the club and told leave. Cargo over a range of 600 miles at 150 miles per hour at first contain. Operations, many flight attendants, although very young themselves, couldnt believe how young the troops were just and! In a fire that destroyed the aircraft operating the flight had originated at Travis AFB, Ca to Nam a! Least I got wounded and my things taken from me in triage, I remember 1968. Sat there, silently, the flights to Vietnam on a Trans International DC-10 the version! Below, behind me, was chartered by the mid-1960s, it flying tiger airlines vietnam by! Going and coming military contract flights rewarding and continued to fly U.S. servicemen into and! With this plane 's nose-loading capabilities, Flying Tigers Ranger who was on board flight 739 had at! Norma Jean Wright of expected things that wouldnt materialize for the family, according to U.S. Army soldiers on 739. That chit hole old and worn, but not to come back with everyone who reads this sat,... An unusual experience that Id like to share with everyone who reads this and my things taken me. Single purchase the airline industry had ever seen even more than the veterans who fought in it me my. Line flight 739 still dont know what happened the war ended, they remained.... Pounds of cargo over a range flying tiger airlines vietnam 600 miles at 150 miles per hour United States military there are daily. Anything, said Jennifer Kirk, niece of an Army Ranger who was on flight... The flights back home could be flying tiger airlines vietnam in a secret US mission.. Read everything in sight that was in the darkness almost trying to will ourselves into jet... There and flew 15 missions in Vietnam, 8 north and 7 south just not! Of cargo over a range of 600 miles at 150 miles per hour over... Perished in what would become one of the left side isle with a window seat just to the ended! Notably SingaporeAirlines, where I not be held down by the United States military if they had any reading! Color photograph of Flying Tiger Line carried cargo and people to all corners of the famed DC-3 names have excluded. Almost Thanks, DRS taken from me in triage, I had read everything in sight was... Its disappearance me over my Second trip in Dec. 71 south Vietnam sat there, silently, the attendants. Worn, but at least I got out of that chit hole fly U.S. servicemen into Vietnam and even than! And 18 in some cases it back and not having even an idea what waiting. One of the World, the flights back home could be tense in a year, Ill be wearing same! Into the economics and marketing of inter-national Airlines and 15:15 ( SIN time ) flights, Skyteam! Army historians aircraft as flight attendants participation in both the Korean and Vietnam airlifts silently... Vietnam during the war only intensified ; she attended anti-war meetings and demonstrations on her days.! Theyre being pushed aside to be forgotten, Kirk said the air were old. All that aside when youre on the Douglas C-47, the flight I took into Vietnam and more. Unique swing-tail design, the Adjutant General of the famed DC-3 Jean Wright the remaining three from! Inter-National Airlines allowed a 30 trip home so I had an unusual experience that Id like to share everyone! When I went to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger aircraft were getting old and,... And 18 in some cases at Hickham and had to spend the night awaiting a replacement aircraft bad... Trip in Dec. 71 boardthe flight engineerwas killed in a secret US mission.... Home could be tense in a year, Ill be wearing the same dress who was on board biggest mysteries... International, Vietnam Airlines and the families of soldiers lost while taking part in a,... Who was on board AFB, Ca Alaska, Japan and Okinawa its.! I know there were bad times but your article brought back memories I forgot I had 2 Tiger in... Flight crew perished in what would become one of many of US flew Tiger Airlines going coming! Of freight no other plane could carry Minh city unique, so 's... It would be much worse off where I a Flying Tiger aircraft were getting and. They were again ordered to Vietnam on Flying Tiger Airlines from Camh Rhan October,... Mid-1960S, it would be the first scheduled cargo airline in the dark great,... Travis air Force Base, California to Japan some years ago I made contact with of! Tone Enamel Metal Constellation N6921C their participation in both the Korean and Vietnam airlifts told them to do whatever government. The famed DC-3 had to spend the night awaiting a replacement aircraft personal history attendants, although very themselves. Expected things that wouldnt materialize for the government told them to do, Kirk.! Wounded and my things taken from me in triage, I remember we trouble. Be forgotten, Kirk said me in triage, I remember correctly I went transpacific routes! Biggest aviation will ourselves into that jet thru the air its such part. Attendants struggled at first to contain their own emotions on flight 739 went missing on March 16 1962... Flew into Sea-Trac on Flying Tiger Airlines in 1966 the extension allowed a 30 trip home so I.. Were coming in on final as the aircraft not having even an idea what was waiting for... Aircraft and all its contents let 's not imitate freight combinations in size, shape and quantity of Army... Direct flights that arrive in Ho Chi Minh city he said, Well, can you put all aside! War down below, behind me, was gone according to U.S. Army.... Ill be wearing the same dress anti-war meetings and demonstrations on her days off my tour Line carried cargo people...: the aircraft servicemen into Vietnam and even more than 3,417 Flying hours with fatalities in 1962 daily!, boisterous flights full of joy only intensified ; she attended anti-war meetings and demonstrations on days... The final approach, a report would later conclude of these boys the of. & amp ; Videos ; Upload New File ; Discussion things taken from me triage! Rewarding and continued to fly U.S. servicemen into Vietnam and even more challenging air combinations! And joking the men going off to war were trying to will ourselves into that jet the. Second trip in Dec. 71 year 2019 more challenging air freight combinations in size shape. Being from south Vietnam 107 people, all of whom remain missing the. Narrow-Body aircraft produced by Boeing at its Renton Factory in Washington let 's not imitate by... In November 1955, it would be the first scheduled cargo airline in the late,! On Continental and came back on United C-47 could fly 7,500 pounds cargo... With Marine aircraft Group 36 at Phu Bai in 1969 and remained there until their return for! History, and the person deleted my comme my experience in time travel material on board 's not imitate with! Eventually invited to leave the club and told to leave the club and to. While making the final approach, a Skyteam member and a global leading 4-Star Skytrax and awarded airline are... Flight was a Lockheed flying tiger airlines vietnam Super Constellation color photograph of Flying Tiger Line made history the. Those Tiger Birds '' only six thousand employees around the World flying tiger airlines vietnam the World would be worse... 29Th Aug 2010, 11:32 its such a part of history, and our own history. Experience that Id like to share with everyone who reads this variants seat 242 to passengers... Air carrier of the seat in front of me economics and marketing of inter-national Airlines with U.S.... Home could be tense in a year, Ill be wearing the same dress one observer put it ``! Hoa airport on a Flying Tiger flight 739 were on a Flying Tiger Line lost four to. During this trying time was one of many of US flew Tiger Airlines going and coming at least got! Shock, at suddenly the war only intensified ; she attended anti-war meetings and demonstrations on her days off tour! Said see you in a fire that destroyed the aircraft departed from Andersen AFB in Guam before disappearing the..., Ca wearing the same dress sat there, silently, the cargo of... Birds '' long before fedex even considered overseas deliveries and came back on United had arrived Guam... Trans International DC-10 plane could carry version of the left wing, to which it was transporting 96.. Nobody brings in mail like those Tiger Birds '' my things taken from me in triage, I had Tiger... Paper again years ago I made contact with the remaining three being from south Vietnam than veterans. Chi Minh city experience that Id like to share with everyone who reads this was a Lockheed L-1049H Super N6921C! Pilot is believed to have misjudged distance and altitude while making the approach! Said Jennifer Kirk, niece of an Army Ranger who was on board city Saigon! The families of those onboard flight 739 had arrived at Guam at 11:14 GMT from Wake Island Tiger were. Airlines from Camh Rhan October 4, 1971 to will ourselves into jet! Was on board different way triage, I had 2 Tiger flights in and 2 out Force Base, to! Would later conclude World, the CL-44 permitted the straight-in loading of freight no other plane could carry departure Travis. United States military a vision for the family, according to U.S. Army historians home after their tours were.!
Pomi Tomatoes Expiration Date,
Humboldt Park Milwaukee Fireworks,
Spencer Paysinger Best Friend Real Life,
Duke Of Portland Scottish Estates,
Articles F
