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History
Flying Tigers
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The First American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Republic of China Air Force, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was formed to help oppose the Japanese invasion of China. Operating in 1941–1942, it was composed of pilots from the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC), Navy (USN), and Marine Corps (USMC), and was commanded by Claire Lee Chennault. Their Curtiss P-40B Warhawk aircraft, marked with Chinese colors, flew under American control. Recruited under President Franklin Roosevelt's authority before Pearl Harbor, their mission was to bomb Japan and defend the Republic of China, but many delays meant the AVG first flew in combat after the US and Japan declared war.
Flying Tigers personnel
Flying Tigers personnel
Chennault in his Kunming office, May 1942. He wears a US Army brigadier general's star on his left shoulder but Chinese insignia otherwise.
Chennault in his Kunming office, May 1942. He wears a US Army brigadier general's star on his left shoulder but Chinese insignia otherwise.
3rd Squadron Hell's Angels, Flying Tigers, over China, photographed in 1942 by AVG pilot Robert T. Smith
3rd Squadron Hell's Angels, Flying Tigers, over China, photographed in 1942 by AVG pilot Robert T. Smith
P-40 Warhawk painted with Flying Tigers shark face at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
P-40 Warhawk painted with Flying Tigers shark face at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
Republic of China Air Force
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The Republic of China Air Force is the military aviation branch of the Republic of China Armed Forces, based in Taiwan since 1949. The ROCAF was founded in 1920 by the Kuomintang. While its historical name is sometimes used especially in domestic circles, it is not used as often internationally due to the current ambiguous political status of Taiwan and to avoid confusion with the People's Liberation Army Air Force of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Air Force ace killed during the Second Sino-Japanese War/WWII, fighter pilot Colonel Kao Chih-hang
Air Force ace killed during the Second Sino-Japanese War/WWII, fighter pilot Colonel Kao Chih-hang
C-123Bs in flight over US 1950s, Aircraft 641 was later transferred to Taiwan to support CIA operations
C-123Bs in flight over US 1950s, Aircraft 641 was later transferred to Taiwan to support CIA operations
ROCAF E-2K take-off from Zhihang Air Force Base
ROCAF E-2K take-off from Zhihang Air Force Base
An F-CK-1A on a demo flight
An F-CK-1A on a demo flight