Almost all US scheduled and charter carriers with appropriate equipment operated to Vietnam. An aspect of nowhere, The flight went missing while en route to Vietnam. The Stewardess came back after about 10-15 minutes and asked me Do you mind if I ask you a personal question? I told her No, not really.. The young men on the way over were full of Bravado and Spirit, and many on the return trip were just grateful to finally be going home and overcome with gratitude about leaving that hell hole in one piece. There was more to this exciting excursion. Thanks, DRS. 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 . The Douglas DC-8-63AF N783FT (msn 46003) they flew is, remarkably, still . The airline initially launched with 14 Navy surplus Budd RB Conestoga cargo aircraft. US Army CNN The families of soldiers lost while taking part in a secret US mission during. I also n=mourned those I had lost there who could not return alive but were shipped home to grief stricken families. 302/3 Kim Ma Street, Ngoc Khanh Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam. 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 . The explosion occurred in two pulses lasting between two and three seconds and from it two objects fell into the sea.. 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. Why Were Vietnam War Vets Treated Poorly When TheyReturned? It was obvious the airplane had been used a lot, but it was clean and the attendants were friendly and upbeat. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Meanwhile, the flight attendants were becoming like a family. Although the fledgling Flying Tiger Line was in a precarious financial situation during its early years, it enjoyed extraordinary growth throughout most of the 60's, and eventually emerged as the industry's foremost all-cargo carrier. Thanks so much to all the people that participated in this adventure and thanks for helping us all get there and back. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 went missing on March 16, 1962, with 93 U.S. Army soldiers on board. (LogOut/ It hooked up with the Pentagon to carry troops during the Korean War, and by the mid-1960s the airline was flying tens of thousands of soldiers into Vietnam at a time before the U.S. public was paying much attention to the conflict unfolding there. Those were the days. These were to take place in Honolulu, Wake Island, Guam, and the Philippines (Clark Air Base). No Longer Available! The jet went faster, higher, finally the landing gear came up into the plane. Sellers with highest buyer ratings; And this aricle brought back many memories, both sad & scared, and delighted and full of joy! The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. Flying Tigers 747. 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. She had no idea what the job entailed until she arrived for the interview and a man with the airline asked what she thought of the war. Flying Tiger Line was ramping up operations in Vietnam, too, and it's believed maintenance standards dropped as a result of increased demand. God bless you all! I was a different person. The flight had originated at Travis AFB, Ca. Flying around the world over the North and South Poles, the Pole Cat set eight speed and distance records. 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. merging Ocean and Sky. Thank you for writing this story, it was way overdue. In the 1980's, the B747-200F series was introduced to the fleet. All rights reserved. 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! 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. Remember the pungent fish smell and heat as we deplaned. a light greenish blue I flew out of Travis Air Force Base and was on my way to Thailand. At 8:22 a.m. on March 16the time when FTL 739s fuel would have officially run outthe flight was declared lost. Not one of us said a word. B-747-100 Flying Tigers was the first airline to operate Boeing 747 passenger aircraft converted into efficient air freighters. 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! 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. 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. They cant be forgotten.. During the Korean War, Tigers planes provided air transport services for personnel and cargo from the west coast of the US to various military bases throughout the Pacific area. 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. Photo: The aircraft departed from Andersen AFB in Guam before disappearing over the Western Pacific Ocean. It wasnt delivered, Kirk said. Imitation lets you catch up to the guy ahead, but never lets you pass." In addition to the emotional impact, the flight attendants risked physical harm while flying to military bases in an active combat zone. I extended in Vietnam so that I could get out early. Free shipping for many products! I flew over on Continental..We had a flight attendant come to one of our VVA Chapter meeting and tell us about her time. I have never heard this or found any reference on it, but I knew it would be of interest - AB When a positive story about the Vietnam experience shows up it helps the healing that many of us need. (LogOut/ ATDB.aero shows that it spent most of its career at Flying Tiger Line, but did also serve Lufthansa on a leased basis. They saw so much in those soldiers eyes and dealt with some truly emotional issues. 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. Very nice ,brings back feeling that are mostly good ones.Thank you ladies.I flew into DANANG twice the 2nd fight was with the Flying Tigars and a year later they flew me back to the states. Thanks for the wonderful article. History - Flying Tiger Line was founded on 24 June 1945 by R.W. The food on the airplane had to be thrown away because there was no refrigeration on the aircraft for over 48 hours. I wouldnt trade the experience for a million dollars, stated Julie Kane, a flight attendant for Seaboard World Airlines. Real Aviation Photos & Videos; Upload New File; Discussion. This was a very good and interesting article. Some years ago I made contact with one of those stewardesses and found out about their reunions. Addendum: While in transit on the plane, I had an unusual experience that Id like to share with everyone who reads this. I too was older at 25 and remember them well. Many flight attendants struggled at first to contain their own emotions. We were eventually invited to leave the club and told to not come back Welcome Home from the USAF in Kadena. I have just relived a very important part of my young life, thru these articles and the loving responses. Those ladies had a very important part in the war and they are to be commended for their service. My grandfather had to go pick it up. A very vulnerable feeling with out a weapon. For the government not to recognize them is heartbreaking, she said. 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. This exhibition, based on extensive interviews with the key participants of the airlift operations, provides insight into their experiences serving aboard the Freedom Birds. Entdecke FLIEGENDER TIGER LINE AIRLINES AUFNHER in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! The Army did pay out life insurance for Donald, but it was only $264. 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. We all knew that some going would not make it back alive. 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! I remember the Tiger flights and their wonderful crews. The soldiers on Flight 739 were on a mission to do whatever the government told them to do, Kirk said. The Boeing 737 is a narrow-body aircraft produced by Boeing at its Renton Factory in Washington. We all wanted to get home, but wondered if this old crate could get us there. Flying Tiger Line 747-200 In April of '75, with the collapse of the South Vietnamese government, Flying Tigers evacuated its own personnel and other refugees from Saigon. What was the worst work detail you pulled in Vietnam? I about cried having to leave half of what might have been my last meal. 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. 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. Flying Tigers Airlines 24k Cocktail Glass Vtg 1980s VHTF NOS Norma Jean Wright . Skip to main content . I remember we had trouble on departure from Travis and then landed at Hickham and had to spend the night awaiting a replacement aircraft. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 went missing on March 16, 1962, with 93 U.S. Army soldiers on board. Flying from Clark AFB to Guam refueling then on to Travis AFB and Home. Thank you ladies, Im one of those boys. Vietnam-era airline crews carry memories of the men they flew to, fromwar, Videos, Film, Music, and Movies about VN War, Author interview War & Life: Discussions with a Veteran, A Chat Between Three Veterans [live video with author], Lest We Forget Meet the Authors & Book Signing April 4th: Cherries and Donut Dolly, Interview with author John Podlaski in Examiner Magazine, American Heroes Radio interviews author of Cherries A Vietnam War Novel, Cherries Author Interviewed on British Website, U.K. Blogspot posts interviews author, John Podlaski, More Book Reviews and author interviews about Cherries, The Story behind the famous Saigon Execution Photo. Very interesting. 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.. With four Rolls Royce engines that developed 5,700 horsepower, it cruised at 375 miles per hour, carrying up to 60,000 pounds of cargo over a range of 3,000 miles. They wanted to cry but stifled the impulse. Flying Tiger aircraft were getting old and worn, but their flight attendants were still top notch. The soldiers onboard were flying there not to fight, but to help train South Vietnamese forces. 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. 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. Flying Tiger Flight 739 had arrived at Guam at 11:14 GMT from Wake Island. 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. (LogOut/ Malaysia Airlines, Royal Jordanian,SAS, Thai International, Vietnam Airlines and most notably SingaporeAirlines, where I . Opens in a new window or tab. changed me for the better many moons ago. But some homeward-bound passengers were belligerent, unpredictable. 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. 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. 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. 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. This represented a significant transition for the Flying Tigers, and paved the road to future success. Photo: Unsolved Disappearance: The Story Of Flying Tiger Line Flight 739, USAF/Mike Andriacco via Wikimedia Commons, The Asiana-Korean Air Merger Has Been Green Lighted By The UK, Up Close & Personal: Lufthansa's New Double First Class Suite, Why Ryanair Isn't Following Wizz Air To The Wider Middle East & Asia, Quadjet Prospects: Switzerland's Edelweiss Set To Receive Another Airbus A340, Engine Failure Onboard Thai Smile Airbus A320 Followed By Tail Strike, Japan Airlines Serves A Banana As Vegan Meal. The aircraft operating the flight was a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation registered as N6921C. The former stewardesses of Tiger Airlines still reminisce about their experiences with those brave soldiers, coming and going to Vietnam a long time ago. 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. This exhibition is currently available online only. (1974 -1989) After 1989 Mr Narita 806 in Polar Colors HISTORY I do not dwell on the negatives of that war , but there will always be a part of those of us that served in Vietnam that we would prefer to live without. (1974 -1989). The flights depart at 7:35 (SIN time), 13:10 (SIN time) and 15:15 (SIN time). I was trying to keep from thinking about that. 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. On October 11, 1983, Flying Tiger Line Flight 9014, a Boeing 747 (N806FT), ran off the runway at Frankfurt International Airport after a cargo pallet broke loose; the three crew and three passengers survived; the aircraft was substantially damaged, but was repaired and returned to service. 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. Know now that I was stunned , medical shock, at suddenly the war down below, behind me , was gone. 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