Flying Tigers

The two-month layoff from flying had been filled with physical therapy appointments and work until I could return to flight status.  I was cleared to resume flying 52 days after a total knee replacement.  It was a happy day! WHAT HAVE I BEEN MISSING? I promptly went flying with my good friend, David Schiff, a…

The activities of Claire Chennault and his Flying Tiger pilots in China is a remarkable study in the ability of a smaller force to keep a vastly larger force at bay using the elements of surprise and superior combat tactics to offset the sheer numbers and weight of the Japanese Air Force in China. The air war in China was anything but orthodox. It was a maverick or guerilla air war flown by American pilots under the leadership of an American commander who had gone rogue.

The Flying Heritage Collection is Paul Allen’s gift to the world and is an extraordinary collection of rare aircraft. My visit to the facility was a chance to renew any friendship with Bill Papa, a docent at the museum. This article will focus on some of the rare and unique aircraft on display at the facility.