. Flying Tiger was my airline of choice. Its ultimate destination was the Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers. 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. Each of the awesome giants flies more than 200,000 pounds of cargo at 575 miles per hour over a 3,500-mile range. 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! . And he said, I gotta get out of Cornish. Entdecke FLIEGENDER TIGER LINE AIRLINES AUFNHER in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! In one of its more dramatic moves, Tigers evacuated a number of Vietnamese "political refugees" and Vietnamese company employees and their families aboard departing aircraft during the "final hours" of US troop withdrawal, and impending Communist takeover in South Vietnam in 1975. THe girls (attendants) were great cant saw much for the people of California . We of course did not get his and flew on to Bangkok where we transferred to a military aircraft and flew down to U-T a B-52 base. America's stake in the Vietnam War didn't begin as late as history books specify. The first two of these saw delays due to engine maintenance having to be carried out. 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 . 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. Remember the pungent fish smell and heat as we deplaned. Not one of us said a word. 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. When I went over in 66, it was courtesy of the USAF on a C-141no flight attendants there, just jump seats and the infantry TOE and basic load down the center of the aircraft. When a positive story about the Vietnam experience shows up it helps the healing that many of us need. 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. As their deaths did not occur in the Vietnam combat zone, their names were . with stopovers in Honolulu and Wake Island before arriving in Guam. they developed an air delivery system that has become the standard by almost C $52.00. Free shipping for many products! (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. ber 1.000.000 Bilder What I do remember is that the plane had a very unpleasant odor and the food was cold. 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. He wouldnt believe me until I showed him the slip of paper. 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. Flying Tigers Airlines 24k Cocktail Glass Vtg 1980s VHTF NOS Norma Jean Wright . The extension allowed a 30 trip home so I had 2 Tiger flights in and 2 out. This article is an important read. A great story, even made me cry, vaguely remembering the trips each way, to and from Vietnam. It was her name, address and telephone number with the instructions that if it didnt work out between me and my fiance after I came back to give her a call because she saw something in me that she had been looking for. (It didnt work out. Top Rated Plus. Air sorties searching for clues racked up more than 3,417 flying hours. 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. Result Pages: 1 Displaying 1 to 1 (of 1 products) What aviation news will you check out next? Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The six man recon team was on an observation mission near Fire Support Base Alpine, about six miles east of the Laotian Border. I extended in Vietnam so that I could get out early. 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. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. 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 . If I remember correctly I went over on Continental and came back on United. Ardith (Vignati) Willner Breen went from being gung ho about the war to suspecting the government was lying and thinking the war was a mistake. And welcome home. Curtis Smith served to disbandment and afterward returned to the U.S. Marines. They played cards with the guys, laughed with them. 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. Those were the days. (1945 - 1947). These men and their flight crew perished in what would become one of the biggest aviation. Wonderful memories. I dont remember the faces of the flight attendantsprobably because I was so overwhelmed by my own emotions going to war and coming home. I about cried having to leave half of what might have been my last meal. Im still trying to figure out how to coordinate one of our own with one of theirs. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 went missing on March 16, 1962, with 93 U.S. Army soldiers on board. These ladies were great listeners and very supportive. 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. Thank you ladies, Im one of those boys. The aircraft was transporting 93 U.S. soldiers and three South Vietnamese from Travis Air Force Base, California to Saigon, Vietnam. War touches more people than the veterans who fought in it. Somewhere I know that she wonders if I ever made it back to the States and why I never called. Great article; Thanks. While Flight 739s final destination was known, the reason behind the secret mission of those on board still remains a mystery to their families. Thank you Flight Attendants! The team had completed its assigned mission and was waiting to . Margi Falk. The search for Flight 739 sparked one of the largest searches recorded at the time, covering more than 200,000 square miles. Pre-Owned. Was I really in a real war??? It would be the first of a list of expected things that wouldnt materialize for the family, according to Kirk. Flying the Freedom Birds: Airlines and the Vietnam War. And after the fall of Saigon in 1975, when the war ended, they remained connected. 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. Its ultimate destination was the Vietnamese city of Saigon, to which it was transporting 96 soldiers. The big, glamorous airline back then was Pan Am. Change). Piloted by the novice American Volunteer Group, who were from all branches of the military and civilians, these men provided military support to the Republic of China in their defense against the Japanese invasion between 1941-1942. Not a good way to start the year! Until now, I mostly ignored the efforts of these people (especially the attendants they saw, heard & felt all of it). Thank you stewardesses. (1966-1969), The Douglas DC-8-63F was a new breed of aircraft that had a far reaching effect on the continuing growth for the airfreight industry. The airline initially launched with 14 Navy surplus Budd RB Conestoga cargo aircraft. 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. (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. 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. 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. I was USAF and made that stop in Alaska. From 1979 to 1980 the Flying Tiger Line passed Pan Am to become the world's number one air cargo carrier. 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. Flying Tigers Line Flight 739, a Lockheed L-1049H, was chartered by the United States military. from United States. The Douglas DC-8-63AF N783FT (msn 46003) they flew is, remarkably, still . Margi has been a Member of the Flying Tigers Club Board of Directors, and served as Club Secretary since May 2007. I often wondered what happened to them and now your story has given closure. When you went to school for Pan Am, they showed you how to do your makeup and your hair. At 11:15PM June 29, 1968 I left Bien Hoa airport on a Trans International DC-10. Its such a part of history, and our own personal history.. I remember well my Flying Tiger trips. The flight attendant standing at the top said see you in a year, Ill be wearing the same dress. 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. Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the US state of California. Sellers with highest buyer ratings; The pilot is believed to have misjudged distance and altitude while making the final approach, a report would later conclude. this a definitive journey The former stewardesses of Tiger Airlines still reminisce about their experiences with those brave soldiers, coming and going to Vietnam a long time ago. Best Airline Business in Southeast Asia. Opens in a new window or tab. 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