The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Claire Chennault & "The Flying Tigers" - Mar. 14th, 2003

http://www.acepilots.com/misc_tigers.html ^

[painter]

I know a guy who flew with the Flying Tigers.I haven't seen him in years.A really nice guy.I asked if he would tell me his experiences,he wouldn't talk much about it.

He did tell a story about one day he was taking off on a mission. He was a couple hundred feet off the ground after take off (in his P40) when his engine quit! Fortunetly he had room to "belly" it in and walk away.

Later in the war he flew P51 Mustangs when his group was absorbed by the USAAF.

Here is an interesting note:After the AVG was absorbed by the USAAF Rush Limbaugh's father flew a Mustang with them.

[SAMWolf]

Yes, Boyington was a Marine Aviator,joinerd in 1935, got into trouble, resigned from the Marines in 1941 and signed up with the AVG, he got into major disagreements with Chennault and quit the AVG in 1942(Chennault gave him a dishonorable discharge) he went back to the States and the Marines reinstated him (they needed flyers real bad) as a Major in 1943,

[SAMWolf]

Thanks, painter. I didn't know that Rush's dad flew Mustangs.

[GATOR NAVY]

Interesting info-thanks!

[SAMWolf]

No, Thank you. You gave me a good idea for another Foxhole Biography.

[painter]

"Thanks, painter. I didn't know that Rush's dad flew Mustangs."

Several years ago Rush talked about it on his show.

[Iris7]

Some few years after I got back from Viet Nam I saw a young fellow wearing an old A4 with the AVG blood chit on the back.

I asked, "Is that real?"

He nodded.

I asked, "Do you realize what that is?"

He answered, "It's my Dad's. He flew with the Flying Tigers."

I spluttered on for a while, expostulating on the irreplaceablity, the utterly incredible value of the garment. And I did not mean dollars.

I never saw the guy again. Hope the old A4 is in good hands.

[SAMWolf]

I hope so too, I hope he was able to pass it down to his son.

[Paulie]

You should start charging tuition. Sad to say, but I've long wondered exactly what the Flying Tigers was. I must have goofed off in school more than I thought.

Thanks again for "learn'n me a thing or two". I know our history is far from spotless, but I'm increasingly proud of our boys and girls.

[SAMWolf]

You should start charging tuition

LOL. Don't feel bad, schools don't really teach our history any more.

[BnBlFlag]

Claire Chennault of Lake Charles, La., my mother's hometown.

[apackof2]

Excellent as always
I love the pictures of these "Flying Tigers"

Duty, Honor and Country bump

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the bump.

[JWinNC]

BUMP

I hope this thread stays here, I've bookmarked it. The pictures alone are incredible.

I wonder if you said "flying Tigers" to someone in China today if they would have any idea what you're talking about?

Peace,
JWinNC

[SAMWolf]

Thanks.

I can't guarantee the graphics will always be on the thread but the text should be here as long as FR lets it stay.

[Chico]

Please REMOVE me from you extensive ping correspondence, this is far from my first request! Will report you.

[Jen]

I have removed you already Chico. You are replying to an old thread.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

A P-40 Tomahawk flown by Steve Hinton and an A-10 Thunderbolt piloted by Air Force Capt. Matt Kouchoukos fly in close formation near Langley Air Force Base, Va., on June 4, 2004. This formation represents the heritage between the 23rd Fighter Group of World War II which stood down to become the famous Flying Tigers, and the legacy which continues today. The P-40 was brought to Langley for the Flying Tigers Reunion.

[SAMWolf]

Great picture, Cannoneer No. 4! The A-10 is my favorite jet.