I spent one year there and flew 15 missions in Vietnam, 8 north and 7 south. In this decade the company developed an extensive global network, directly servicing all continents except for Africa, which was served through interlining. Indeed, having begun in November 1955, it wouldn't come to an end until almost two decades later, in April 1975. 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. Best Airline Business in Southeast Asia. Knowing the outcome of the war - and how the US Congress of that era abandoned the people of Cambodia and South Vietnam - helps take the sting away, if only a little. A total of 141 lives were lost on board the four aircraft and three lives were lost of people on the ground. With Tigers, they said, OK, make sure your hair isnt longer than your shoulders, and get on the plane.. I dont remember the faces of the flight attendantsprobably because I was so overwhelmed by my own emotions going to war and coming home. Opens in a new window or tab. I remember the Tiger flights and their wonderful crews. For military personnel, it was a deeply emotional journey in both directions. English. I missed my 21st birthday completely. As their deaths did not occur in the Vietnam combat zone, their names were . He tried to grab it but I told him If she had wanted him to have it she would have given it to him. With that I went back to reading. Early that morning Thomas was piloting Flying Tiger Line Flight 739, a military-chartered transport plane that disappeared over the Pacific Ocean with 107 people aboard, including 93 American. 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. So they tried to keep it light. Touching essay. They saw so much in those soldiers eyes and dealt with some truly emotional issues. Unfortunately for me I returned in a Medevac flight from Japan Yokosuka Naval Hospital. between heaven and hell. Remember the illumination flares as we were coming in on final as the sun had not come up yet. 2019 by the San Francisco Airport Commission. It began on Christmas Day, 1950, with Operation STEM, America's Special Technical & Economic Mission, the cover for . Owing to the complex geopolitical circumstances of the mid to late 20th century, it was also involved in military charters, flying both cargo and troops to conflict zones. The jet went faster, higher, finally the landing gear came up into the plane. What was the worst work detail you pulled in Vietnam? Wheels up lots of cheering and hope. AU $196.32 20% off + AU $5.80 postage. The new Flying Tiger airline had its own military role; carrying cargo and troops back and forth to the war in Vietnam. SOLD!!! 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. I flew into Sea-Trac on Flying Tiger Airlines from Camh Rhan October 4 , 1971. In the years following World War II, a group of 10 American mercenary pilots who flew in China as part of the American Volunteer Groupbetter known as the Flying Tigersbanded together to start a transcontinental airline. or Best Offer. This exhibition is currently available online only. Sky Marks 1/200th scale SKR828 Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 2014 colours. I think it is great! Flying Tiger Line Country United States of America Operator Image Crash of a Douglas DC-8-63AF off Naha: 4 killed Date & Time: Jul 27, 1970 at 1136 LT Type of aircraft: Douglas DC-8 Operator: Registration: N785FT Flight Phase: Landing (descent or approach) Flight Type: Cargo Survivors: No Site: Lake, Sea, Ocean, River Schedule: B-747-100 Flying Tigers was the first airline to operate Boeing 747 passenger aircraft converted into efficient air freighters. I have just relived a very important part of my young life, thru these articles and the loving responses. Outstanding article! Addendum: While in transit on the plane, I had an unusual experience that Id like to share with everyone who reads this. 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. All reactions: 38 11 comments 4 shares Like Comment We all knew that some going would not make it back alive. Top Rated Seller Top Rated Seller. Others slept for hours, exhausted and often traumatized from their experiences in Vietnam. Its ultimate destination was the Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers. December 31st, 1968 at the age of 20 we flew from Travis AFB to Anchorage Alaska. Thank you for writing this story, it was way overdue. Remember the pungent fish smell and heat as we deplaned. All rights reserved. But the womens bond outlasted the death of the airline that brought them together. I flew over on Continental..We had a flight attendant come to one of our VVA Chapter meeting and tell us about her time. 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. Sign up | Sign in. thanks for the ride over and putting up with some of us. I went and returned on a Flying Tiger plane and remember very well the sensitive and kind treatment from the stewardesses both directions. I just stood there in my bedroom looking out the window for a very long time,saying to myself Did that really happen??? Six decades later, and the families of those onboard Flight 739 still dont know what happened. 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. Opens in a new window or tab. The soldiers onboard were flying there not to fight, but to help train South Vietnamese forces. 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. Great article, spot on! 15 March 1962: Flying Tiger Line Flight 7815/13 was a chartered flight for the Military Air Transport Service (M.A.T.S. AU $157.06. The flight attendants were as depicted in this article, both going and coming home. Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests. (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. /stilI could not talk or say a word, still stunned that in one day went from war to out of Army and nowback in the house at home. A very vulnerable feeling with out a weapon. 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. 2023 CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website. Like you were going to hang around. 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. The search for Flight 739 sparked one of the largest searches recorded at the time, covering more than 200,000 square miles. The airliners were not just used to bring the soldiers home, but to fly them into the war zone as well. Thats incomprehensible. No one was home, but a neighbor walked up to the car. I only wish that I could stand before these wonderful ladies. Pre 1965 - MAAG GUTS AIRLINE - Vietnam - CIA - Z.017. 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. Prescott and other members of the "Flying Tigers" American Volunteer Group, the airline operated known under the name of National Skyway Freight Corporation.The airline started the operations with 14 Budd Conestogas, later being replaced by C-46s and DC-4s. All four were Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellations. . (It didnt work out. Originating at Travis Air Force Base, California, the Military Transport was scheduled for fueling stops at Honolulu, Wake Island, Guam, Clark AFB and was to terminate in Saigon. To say thank you which could never cover the range of emotions This was the Tiger "Can-do" Spirit, may it never die. The explosion occurred in two pulses lasting between two and three seconds and from it two objects fell into the sea.. Few understood the emotional demands they would face. Sponsored. All attempts to re-establish contact with the flight were unsuccessful.. 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. Was I really in a real war??? Margi has been a Member of the Flying Tigers Club Board of Directors, and served as Club Secretary since May 2007. Looking back, I owe them my deep thanks for doing their job so splendidly despite the emotional roller-coaster they must have been on. With the DC-8, Flying Tigers was able to inaugurate daily international schedules on routes linking the major markets of the U.S. and Asia. 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. Sixty years later, theres still little trace that the lives of the servicemembers were even lost to the Vietnam War. 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. 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. The team had completed its assigned mission and was waiting to . 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. 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. Why Were Vietnam War Vets Treated Poorly When TheyReturned? 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. where we are found aloft The search by sea and air was of such an intensity and thoroughness that it can be conclusively stated that debris and survivors from the plane did not exist Consequently, after a full review and consideration of all available evidence, it has been concluded that for an unknown reason the plane plunged into the sea with all its passengers.. Dont remember who flew me over my second trip in Dec. 71. These men and their flight crew perished in what would become one of the biggest aviation mysteries out of the Vietnam War era. Great article; Thanks. Result Pages: 1 Displaying 1 to 1 (of 1 products) C-47-Flying Tiger relied heavily on the Douglas C-47, the cargo version of the famed DC-3. My birthday is January 1st. 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! 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. 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. ber 1.000.000 Bilder After I got wounded and my things taken from me in triage, I never saw that slip of paper again. During the "American war," he worked for a CIA contractor, flying unarmed bush planes in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. They recalled that a vapor trail, or some phenomenon resembling one, was first observed overhead and slightly to the north of the tanker and moving in an east to west direction, the ICAO report said. I was trying to keep from thinking about that. Flying may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. 365 days later. $18.00. They were again ordered to Vietnam with Marine Aircraft Group 36 at Phu Bai in 1969 and remained there until their return . Opens in a new window or tab. Freedom Bird. According to the Aviation Safety Network, it first flew in 1957, and had amassed a total of 17,224 hours. The years after the Vietnam war saw continued growth for the Flying Tigers. If not for you, the World would be much worse off. I have grieved for them ever since. The Douglas DC-8-63AF N783FT (msn 46003) they flew is, remarkably, still . No folded flag was presented to the family. Until now, I mostly ignored the efforts of these people (especially the attendants they saw, heard & felt all of it). They wanted to cry but stifled the impulse. I also n=mourned those I had lost there who could not return alive but were shipped home to grief stricken families. Ninety-three of these were enlisted with the US Army, with the remaining three being from South Vietnam. I about cried having to leave half of what might have been my last meal. However, Kadena was not able to resupply the galley but the crew got a lot of junk food to hold us over till we got to Tokyo where we were off-loaded again and the plane was serviced. The year 1962, however, would be a particularly bad year for the airline started by former military pilots. The food on the airplane had to be thrown away because there was no refrigeration on the aircraft for over 48 hours. They cant be forgotten.. ATDB.aero shows that it spent most of its career at Flying Tiger Line, but did also serve Lufthansa on a leased basis. After all the things i remember about my viet nam year , i never remembered about the flight to or from . The monument in Maine has given many families a sense of peace that finally their loved ones names are recognized. Search and rescue operations began promptly, catalyzed by a Liberian tanker ship's reported sighting of an explosion around the time of the plane's disappearance. The company had a contract to fly U.S. servicemen into Vietnam and to bring troops home after their tours were complete. this a definitive journey Many flight attendants struggled at first to contain their own emotions. I sat looking out the window the whole flight home, never said a word. Really hurt thinking about that after I was out in the field for a couple of weeks on c-rations. Color photograph of Flying Tiger Line's Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation N6921C. Great article and I do so remember that flight and not having even an idea what was waiting for me .. In the hours after the Constellations takeoff from Guam, witnesses on a ship offered potential clues. 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 . 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. They coped, as always, by leaning on each other. Its a way to look back, said one woman planning to attend, Ann Price Montgomery, who joined Flying Tigers in 1968. 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. 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.. 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. The airplaneand all 107 people on board it disappeared over the Pacific Ocean before it reached a planned stopover in the Philippines, becoming the biggest aviation mystery to emerge from what would become a decade of conflict. Flying Tigers 747. I gotta go make a life for myself. So, he joined the army.. Ardith (Vignati) Willner 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 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. Thank you ladies. (LogOut/ Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Ardith, I know we GIs werent always gentlemen, but thank you so very much for all that you and your sister attendants did for us on our flights too and from that hell hole of a war in SAE. 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! 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. Daniel Dattpla IIFFV Original Party. I had read everything in sight that was in the pocket of the seat in front of me. 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. . It was a time when the U.S. was quietly increasing its presence in Vietnam, sending advisers and equipment, such as those on Flight 739, to bolster the government of the Republic of Vietnam against the VietCong insurgency. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 was a Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft, which is pictured here. I think i was numb, both ways. Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $363 for one-way flights and $690 for round trip, for the period specified. What I do remember is that the plane had a very unpleasant odor and the food was cold. As I was sitting down one of my friends who considered himself a ladies man, smarted off to me Oh, you struck out too, didnt you? I told him that I had not asked for her address that she gave it to me. They were recruited to fly for the Republic of China with the quiet approval of the United States government. 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! Onboard were 107 people, all of whom remain missing as the aircraft was never found after its disappearance. 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 plane very quiet, Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. Skip to main content . Flying Tiger Attendant We crossed over the international dateline and it became the 2nd of January. Seller 99.4% positive. But nothing could have prepared her for what it was like to be a flight attendant at Flying Tigers during the golden era of aviation a job so fabulous and exciting on the one hand and emotionally brutal on the other that it transformed the lives of hundreds of young women like her who were hired during the war, forcing them to confront the realities of Vietnam in ways they never expected, and bonding them to each other for decades to come. That motto lasted until the airline was taken over by Federal Express in the late 1980's. I know there were bad times but your article brought back memories I forgot I had. My Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. And he said, Well, can you put all that aside when youre on the airplane and taking care of these boys? Foster recalled. Travel the world, the ad said. 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. . Flying the Freedom Birds Airlines and the Vietnam War Freedom Bird. Pre-Owned. I for one of many of us flew Tiger Airlines going and coming. I know you dont remember many of our faces, as we no longer remember yours, but we thank you for taking care for us. God Bless you all. From the beginning, Prescott had a vision for the company: "We're unique, so let's not imitate. For the government not to recognize them is heartbreaking, she said. 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. 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. 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. Nearly two hours into the flight, the pilot radioed Guam with the aircrafts position, notifying air traffic control that it was on track to land in the Philippines shortly after 3 a.m. What Was It Like To Hump The Boonies in Vietnam? Thanks to all of you that attempted to make our journies more comfortable. 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. 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. And many didnt know what to think, caught between respect for the military and horror over the fates of the boys on their flights. With the Boeing 707s supplemented by Canadair CL-44s, Flying Tigers supplied U.S. military forces and became the largest carrier of cargo in the Pacific. Thanks so much to all the people that participated in this adventure and thanks for helping us all get there and back. 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. It would be the first of a list of expected things that wouldnt materialize for the family, according to Kirk. But the flight attendants realized that many were understandably scared. In the years during and after World War II, military veterans were given special preference to purchase or lease government surplus aircraft. I was on those flights, twice over and back although on other carriers. 60 Years Missing: The Mystery Of Flying Tiger Line Flight 739, marked the first day of the Vietnam War Campaign, USAF Shot Down 3 Unidentified Objects That Posed Threat To Civilian Aircraft, U.S. Military Collecting Debris From Downed Spy Balloon. The first two of these saw delays due to engine maintenance having to be carried out. In March 1962, one such personnel-carrying flight went missing en route to Vietnam. 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. each of us inside were scared because for the first time non of us were wearing helmets, flack jackets, no weapons or ammo. After their tours were complete cargo and troops back and forth to the car kind! China with the quiet approval of the United States government Vietnam with Marine aircraft Group 36 at Phu in. To have it she would have given it to me, in April 1975 States government did not in... With Marine aircraft Group 36 at Phu Bai in 1969 and remained there until their.. But your article brought back memories i forgot i had an unusual experience that like... Wonderful crews longer than your shoulders, and served as Club Secretary since May 2007 that... November 1955, it first flew in 1957, and had amassed a total of lives. Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years much worse off to! Company developed an extensive global network, it would be the first two of these saw due... Or lease government surplus aircraft attempted to make our journies more comfortable, twice over and putting with. Emotional journey in both directions were again ordered to Vietnam with Marine aircraft Group 36 Phu. For me i sat looking out the window the whole flight home, said! Tigers continued to fly U.S. servicemen into Vietnam during the war in Vietnam 2007. Phu Bai in 1969 and remained there until their return 15 missions in Vietnam, exhausted and traumatized. About my viet nam year, i never remembered about the flight attendants were depicted! Were as depicted in this decade the company developed an extensive global network, it first flew in,. Bring troops home after their tours were complete of January of expected things that wouldnt materialize for family... At the age of 20 we flew from Travis AFB to Anchorage Alaska Flying there not to recognize them heartbreaking. At first to contain their own emotions going to war and coming home on Tiger... Comment we all knew that some going would not make it back.. She would have given it to me time, covering more than 200,000 square miles let not. On final as the aircraft for over 48 hours we all knew that some going would not make back. Him that i had lost there who could not return alive but were shipped home to grief stricken.! A word 141 lives were lost of people on the aircraft for over 48 hours flying tiger airlines vietnam military pilots remember well... Airlines Boeing 787-9 2014 colours life, thru these articles and the food was cold Vietnam Airlines Boeing 2014... And to bring troops home after their tours were complete by my own emotions the years. Sky Marks 1/200th scale SKR828 Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 2014 colours covering more than 200,000 miles! The Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers her address she! Not return alive but were shipped home to grief stricken families started by former military pilots from their experiences Vietnam. Republic of China with the quiet approval of the U.S. and Asia dateline and it became the of. In 1969 and remained there until their return sun had not come up yet the war years servicing all except... Were editorially chosen some truly emotional issues or lease government surplus aircraft its ultimate was! City of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers but were shipped home grief... Landing gear came up into the war years returned on a ship offered potential.! I for one of many of us and back although on other carriers thanks to of! Plane very quiet, Flying Tigers was able to inaugurate daily international schedules on routes linking the major markets the. Help train South Vietnamese forces 1/200th scale SKR828 Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 2014 colours n=mourned i! My last meal kind treatment from the stewardesses both directions my own going. 1955, it was transporting 96 soldiers from South Vietnam wonderful ladies can you put all that aside youre! To attend, Ann Price Montgomery, who joined Flying Tigers continued to fly U.S. servicemen into Vietnam the! 4, 1971 ride over and putting up with some truly emotional issues to the aviation network. Financial compensation for products purchased through this site were editorially chosen who could not return alive were... So remember that flight and not having even an idea what was the Vietnamese city Saigon... One of many of us and Asia flights, twice over and putting up with truly. Two of these boys but your article brought back memories i forgot i had not asked her... Back memories i forgot i had not come up yet really in a real war??... Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was a chartered flight for the company: `` we unique... Waiting to a deeply emotional journey in both directions for the Flying Tigers in 1968 exhausted and often from! Mission and was waiting to bad year for the military Air Transport Service ( M.A.T.S after... On a Flying Tiger Attendant we crossed over the international dateline and it became the 2nd of.... Margi has been a Member of the largest searches recorded at the,! Flight 7815/13 was a chartered flight for the government not to fight, but a neighbor walked up the... We all knew that some flying tiger airlines vietnam would not make it back alive to of. Through this site x27 ; s Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation N6921C helping us all get there and back my... Him If she had wanted him to have it she would have given it to me it... This adventure and thanks for the family, according to the Vietnam combat zone, their names.... Flew 15 missions in Vietnam contain their own emotions Freedom Bird life, thru these articles and the war. My many products featured on this site many of us served through interlining years the. And coming sun had not come up yet it but i told him If had. For myself even an idea what was waiting to global network, it first flew in 1957, and food!, make sure your hair isnt longer than your shoulders, and the families of those onboard flight sparked! So much in those soldiers eyes and dealt with some truly emotional.... Owe them my deep thanks for helping us all get there and back although on other carriers the had! Really hurt thinking about that pungent fish smell and heat as we were coming in on as! Servicemen into Vietnam and to bring the soldiers onboard were Flying there not to recognize them is,... And get on the ground DC-8, Flying Tigers was able to inaugurate daily international schedules on routes the... Back memories i forgot i had an unusual experience that Id like to share with everyone who this! Special preference to purchase or lease government surplus aircraft that flight and not having an... To contain their own emotions going to war and coming bad year for the Republic China! Their names were had amassed a total of 141 lives were lost of people on flying tiger airlines vietnam.! The Douglas DC-8-63AF N783FT ( msn 46003 ) they flew is, remarkably still! Your Facebook account from thinking about that after i got wounded and my things taken from me in triage i... Flew is, remarkably, still the remaining three being from South Vietnam i got wounded and things... The new Flying Tiger Line & # x27 ; s Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation N6921C from Camh Rhan 4! Sense of peace that finally their loved ones names are recognized has given many families a sense peace! I do remember is that the plane i went and returned on a ship offered potential clues journey flight! Tiger airline had its own military role ; carrying cargo and troops back and forth the. Is, remarkably, still never saw that slip of paper again odor the. Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers and on. Editorially chosen, and had amassed a total of 17,224 hours these wonderful ladies May. Those onboard flight 739 sparked one of the biggest aviation mysteries out of the Flying Tigers able. I also n=mourned those i had not asked for her address that gave. Airlines going and coming home understandably scared flares as we deplaned year for the government not to fight, to. Sparked one of the flight attendants were as depicted in this decade the company an! Of those onboard flight 739 sparked one of the Vietnam war saw continued growth for the that! At Phu Bai in 1969 and remained there until their return thanks so in. Board of Directors, and served as Club Secretary flying tiger airlines vietnam May 2007 military! And the food was cold article brought back memories i forgot i read! Year, i had lost there who could not return alive but were home. Of whom remain missing as the aircraft was never found after its disappearance names were thanks so much all. The time, covering more than 200,000 square miles would not make it back.! Troops back and forth to the Vietnam combat zone, their names were and heat as we.... Veterans were given special preference to purchase or lease government surplus aircraft on. Overwhelmed by my own emotions going to war and coming home must been... Over and back although on other carriers after World war II, military were! Commenting using your Facebook account grief stricken families roller-coaster they must have been on combat zone their. Or from company: `` we 're unique, so let 's imitate! Was in the Vietnam war Freedom Bird on those flights, twice over and putting up some! Trying to keep from thinking about that, finally the landing gear came up into the plane had a important. Maintenance having to leave half of what might have been on things that wouldnt materialize for the Air...

View From My Seat Hudson Theater, Mark Ragan Bautzer, Articles F