Let 'em Roar: Flying Tigers, Disney, Air America and the CIA.

(1)

The 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG) is better known by their more popular title, The Flying Tigers. Organized in the early years of World War II, this group of volunteers fought with the Chinese against the Japanese invasion with a considerable amount of success. Although their fighter, the Curtiss P-40, was outclassed in dogfighting with the very agile Mitsubishi Zero, a change in tactics and approach to air combat somewhat evened the odds.

(2)

What you might not know about this unit, however, is the hidden history of the squadron insignia...the fact that it was designed by the Disney studios. Says Toons at War:

"...One interesting item of note is the fact a squadron of P-40 Flying Tigers fighters, (piloted by a group of American volunteer pilots who fought alongside Chinese Nationalist forces), is shown coming to the aid of Chesty and his friends. In real life, the insignia for the Flying Tigers was created by Disney artist Hank Porter..."

Source: (Toons At War)

(3)

FDR also played a primary role in the formation of the unit, personally stepping in and "borrowing" some P-40's that were bound for England, changing their destination to China under the lend-lease act. This unit also contained some famous volunteers. Included in this is Gregory "Pappy" Boyington of the famed VMF-214 fighter squadron, the "Black Sheep". In the later part of the war, the unit was gradually rolled into the regular United States forces and became part of the 14th Air Force.

Postwar, two interesting developments happened. The leader of the Flying Tigers, Chennault stayed in China and formed the Civil Air Transport, supporting the Chinese Nationalists in their struggle. Also known as the CAT, they became involved with the Central Intelligence Agency through the fifties and sixties, eventually becoming the unit known as Air America.

Another flying outfit organized from some of the pilots was the Flying Tigers Line, organized in 1946. Famous for flying the first commerical cargo route postwar, this airline flew into the 1980's before being taken over by Federal Express.

What a post...some great history today! Please take a few moments to check the links out as there is some really great information.

Have a great day, see you tomorrow!


Links:

Flying Tigers (Wikipedia)

Civil Air Transport (Wikipedia)
Civil Air Transport
Air Force Magazine, March 2002--Flying Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Chennault information) (PDF)
Air Force Magazine, 1958--Flying Tigers (link to html)
Curtiss P-40 (Wikipedia)
Flying Tigers Aircraft
Air America


Source:
(1) Library of Congress--Prints & Photographs Reading Room
(2) National Archives
(3) Wikipedia, via Maxwell AFB/ww2incolor.com

Elvis, Vegas and the eternal jumpsuit!

I've always been amazed by the early-seventies Elvis. Gone is the clean-cut, All-American boy who caused such parental anguish in the fifties. Instead, echoing the times, the groovy, swinging Elvis and his entourage comes through with wild karate kicks and outrageous jumpsuits.

The jumpsuits, as much as anything else, seemed to define the older Elvis. I remembered that this weekend as I read in the Wall St. Journal the obituary/article on Bill Belew, the creator of many of them. Bill's stylistic background included work in tv and stage, as well as many other famous celebrities. He started with Elvis in the late sixties and up until the time Elvis passed. (Source: Elvis Australia)

Of the many costumes, I was amazed to find out that they assumed a life of their own, a name associated with each. Some of these included:

• "The Red Dragon"*
  
• "Burning Flame of Love"*
  

(*Source: WSJ article)


I guess for Elvis they must have worked and fit (stylistically) the time period in which they were worn. However, it just seems to me, a lotta work. Then again, I'm not a celebrity!

Have a great Monday! Don't forget to check the links below for more information!


(Have not fully chcked the sites for family friendliness, be careful!)

LA Times Obit

Interview with Bill Belew (Australian source)

Seventies Styles

Wikipedia link for Elvis