Flying Tiger Line: A History of Innovation and Success

The Flying Tiger Line was a pioneering cargo airline that played a significant role in shaping the modern air cargo industry. Founded in 1946 by Robert S. McNamara, the airline initially operated a fleet of C-46 and DC-3 aircraft.

McNamara's vision for the airline was to provide fast and efficient transportation of goods, and he achieved this by implementing a unique system of cargo loading and unloading. This innovative approach allowed the airline to transport cargo quickly and safely, setting a new standard for the industry.

The Flying Tiger Line's first major contract was with the US military, transporting supplies and equipment to Asia during the Korean War. This marked the beginning of the airline's long history of serving military and commercial customers alike.

The airline's success was largely due to its ability to adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs. By continuously updating its fleet and services, the Flying Tiger Line remained a leader in the air cargo industry for over four decades.

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Flying Tiger Line was named after the Flying Tigers fighter unit of World War II.

The airline was officially established on June 24, 1945, by ten former AVG pilots led by Robert William Prescott. They used a small fleet of 14 Budd Conestoga freighters purchased as war surplus from the United States Navy.

The initial investment for the airline came from the pilots and two ground crew, who provided half of the funds, and California oil tycoon Samuel B. Mosher, who provided the balance.

For the next four years, Flying Tiger Line carried air freight on contract throughout the U.S. and provided supplies to U.S. troops under Gen. Douglas MacArthur during the occupation of Japan.

In 1949, the Civil Aeronautics Board awarded Flying Tiger Line a scheduled cargo certificate for a transcontinental route from Los Angeles and San Francisco, California to Boston, Massachusetts.

Flying Tiger Line began chartering passenger aircraft for group travel shortly after receiving the scheduled cargo certificate.

The airline's Lockheed Super Constellation, Douglas DC-4 and DC-6 fleet comprised the largest trans-Atlantic charter operation through the 1950s.

During the Korean War, Flying Tiger aircraft were chartered to transport troops and supplies from the United States to Asia.

Flying Tigers later received a cargo route award to Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.

The airline played a major role in the construction of the Distant Early Warning Line, flying equipment to remote outposts in northern Canada and Alaska.

Flying Tiger Line adopted the Canadair CL-44 swing-tail aircraft in 1961, becoming one of the first carriers in the world to offer aerial pallet shipping service.

Flying Tiger Line entered the jet age in 1965 with the delivery of its first Boeing 707. This marked a significant shift in the airline's operations, allowing for greater capacity on longer routes with increased speed and reliability.

The Boeing 707 remained in the fleet for only a few years before being replaced by the Douglas DC-8. The DC-8 was the largest civilian airliner available at the time and offered higher payload capacity than the 707.

Flying Tiger Line took delivery of its first Douglas DC-8-63F on June 26, 1968. This was the first of 19 DC-8s that joined the fleet by 1972.

The airline's first Boeing 747-100 was delivered in 1974, weighing in at 823,000 pounds. This made it the heaviest commercial airplane flying at the time.

The Boeing 747-200 freighter was introduced later, in 1979. It featured uprated Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7Q engines and heavy landing gear, making it ideal for Flying Tiger's heavy-lifting long-haul operations.

Here is a list of the aircraft types that Flying Tiger Line operated during the 1960s and 1970s:

Flying Tigers was a major airline in its prime, employing approximately 251 flight attendants and carrying up to 594 passengers and crew on its MAC all-coach passenger flights.

At its peak, the airline had a large presence in the US, with crew bases situated in Los Angeles, New York City, and Lockbourne, Ohio.

Flying Tiger Line had a diverse fleet of aircraft, reflecting its commitment to efficient and reliable transportation.

The company operated a mix of wide-body and narrow-body jets, including the iconic Boeing 747.

The Boeing 747-100 and 747-200 models made up a significant portion of their fleet, with 8 and 13 aircraft in service, respectively.

Flying Tiger Line also had a smaller fleet of Douglas DC-8-73s, with 6 aircraft in operation.

Their Boeing 727-100s, with 19 in service, were likely used for shorter routes and more frequent flights.

Here's a breakdown of Flying Tiger Line's fleet at the time of its sale to FedEx:

Flying Tiger Line was known for its safety record, but accidents did happen.

The company's worst accident occurred on April 14, 1972, when Flight 739, a Boeing 707, disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while flying from Guam to the Philippines.

A total of 97 people lost their lives in this incident.

In 1973, the company's safety record was put to the test when a DC-8 experienced a severe storm, causing the aircraft to lose altitude and crash-land in a field near the airport in Taipei, Taiwan.

Fortunately, only one of the 93 people on board was seriously injured in the accident.

Flying Tiger Line's commitment to safety was evident in its strict maintenance and inspection procedures, which were designed to minimize the risk of accidents.