Flying Tigers' reunion at Seattle's Museum of Flight

Flight Journal, Jun 2001

On Memorial Day weekend, American Volunteer Group/Flying Tigers aviators and ground crew will hold their 60th anniversary reunion at Seattle's Museum of Flight along with "Memorial Day at the Museum of Flight: a Salute to the Armed Forces."

Saturday, May 26 is dedicated specifically to the American Volunteer Group/Flying Tigers. Among the planned public activities is a symposium with the Tigers, opportunities to meet them, photo sessions and lithograph signings. Roy Grinnell's aviation art will be on display.

Formed in 1941 (before the U.S. declared war on Japan), the 257 Flying Tigers volunteered to defend China against Japanese aircraft. In particular, they guarded a supply route known as "Burma Road," and they were officially disbanded in July 1942. Of the original group, 15 pilots and 35 ground crew survive.

On an action-packed Memorial Day, Flying Tigers president Dick Rossi will be the keynote speaker, there will be workshops for children and families, live music and an outdoor barbecue. Visitors will also be invited to see the Museum's B-29, which is still being restored.

With the American Fighter Aces, the AVG's executive board recently decided to donate personal memorabilia and artifacts-uniforms, medals, diaries, weapons, logbooks and letters, etc.-to the Museum of Flight's permanent display. In the words of Museum president Ralph Bufano, these "unique artifacts ... will really bring the fighter airplanes of our recently acquired Champlin Collection alive."

In addition to their world-class display of beautifully restored aircraft, Museum officials hope to have several privately owned, restored P-40s and other military aircraft for the weekend's display.