It was her name, address and telephone number with the instructions that if it didnt work out between me and my fiance after I came back to give her a call because she saw something in me that she had been looking for. I recall the flight I took into Vietnam and even more than the flight I took home. Specifically equipped with weather monitoring equipment and scientific instrumentation, one 707 (Aircraft N322FT), gained fame as the "Pole Cat." Flying Tiger history began during World War II when the original aircrafts were small fighter planes. The airliners were not just used to bring the soldiers home, but to fly them into the war zone as well. I dont remember the faces of the flight attendantsprobably because I was so overwhelmed by my own emotions going to war and coming home. God Bless you all. In the Vietnam airlift, Flying Tigers provided strategic flights from the US to numerous military bases throughout the Pacific and Southeast Asia geographic region. In 1965, Flying Tiger Line began operating jet aircraft when on September, 27, Shamu the whale took a first ride on Flying Tigers. The flight attendant standing at the top said see you in a year, Ill be wearing the same dress. Free shipping for many products! Welcome Home with many thank you for all your support of the Vietnam veterans!! A fine bunch of people. (1946-1951), C-46 Gen. -- The Curtis C-46 "Commando" that Flying Tigers flew on supply missions over the Hump during World War II came home for civilian duty, joining Flying Tigers' fleet in 1949. Yes, it was a memorable 4 day flight. LOTS FOR SALE! This was a very good and interesting article. WebFlying 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. What was the worst work detail you pulled in Vietnam? In accordance with the government directives and in the interest in protecting the health of our visitors, the Aviation Museum & Library is currently closed. The airline also played a major role in the construction of the Distant Early Warning Line, flying equipment to remote outposts in northern Canada and Alaska. From 1945 to 1989 Flying Tigers management, mechanics, office staff, flight attendants, pilots and crew members worked together to build an airline that became a legend. Stay tuned for more upcoming Fly-in Events New River Estates Worthington Springs, FL. Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. Airline Founded. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 was a Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft, which is pictured here. this a definitive journey We relied on each other and the soldiers to manage. These women allayed the fears of soldiers heading to war and offered support and reassurance to those headed home. When we got ready to land at Bien Hoa airbase the pilot said there would be a slight delay because they were shelling the airfield. And this aricle brought back many memories, both sad & scared, and delighted and full of joy! And yes, we had a flight load of pucker factor and apprehension. (it was the only one on the tarmac) Leaving Bien Hoa at 9:00 P.M on June 25th 1969 and arriving in Oakland CA on June 25th at 9:30 P.M. Carrying 32,000 pounds of cargo at 275 miles per hour with a 2,000 mile range, the DC-6A carried more, cheaper and faster than any other aircraft flying at the time. This Marine Was The American Sniper Of The Vietnam War, https://open.spotify.com/show/5Th7BCpIKDE1hVTqNL3u0Q. God bless you all! Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Despite the intensity of the operations, many flight attendants found the military contract flights rewarding and continued to serve on them for years. It was a vivid reminder we were entering a war zone. This is what I wrote when I had set up my home page on geocities which is now archived: For the Vietnam generation of U.S. military veterans, this phrase meant only one thing; the aircraft that brought them home at the end of their tours. "Airlines Remembered" by B.I. WebAs Flying Tiger Line flight attendant Andee Wright recalled, There was no special training by the airlines or the military about how to handle it. The women say its what helped them keep their sanity, a support network that allowed them to face the heartbreak of the job as the true cost of the war emerged. A FLY-IN COMMUNITY! From Tokyo we flew to Anchorage where we were grounded another 18 to 20 hours due to a snow storm and for some reason, Anchorage did not have deicing capability. The decent angle brought the entire plane to silence while they considered the reason for that radical decent. On March 6, 1967, Flying Tigers first DC8-63F aircraft arrived. Like waking up from a bad dream and realizing yes, that was bad but I am home!!. We relied on each other and the soldiers to manage.. Today. Enjoyed the article, although my trip to Nam was aboard a C130 with alternating engines working. The airlines first B-727s were placed in service in early 1984. Mel Beers ret first sergeant . I too was older at 25 and remember them well. WebAs Flying Tiger Line flight attendant Andee Wright recalled, There was no special training by the airlines or the military about how to handle it. Fosters opposition to the war only intensified; she attended anti-war meetings and demonstrations on her days off. Ninety-three of these were enlisted with the US Army, with the remaining three being from South Vietnam. Tiger's Ad Hoc Charter livestock flights provided airlift for exotic animals. She told me that there were more books in the back of the plane. Was processed out of the Army at Fort Lewis, got a military standby flight for$11. In 1969, during the Vietnam War, a 21-year-old Seattle woman saw a job ad for a California cargo airline called the Flying Tiger Line that had a large presence in San Francisco. After a dangerous heist of a mysterious device from the FBI, the HKPD assigns Ko Ka Chun, to save Hong Kong from the imminent threat from the Black Snake Gang. After spending 1968 with 3RD MARDIV, came home aboard a luxurious Braniff 707. To say thank you which could never cover the range of emotions Finally the plane started to move down the runway faster and faster. WebFlying 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. They coped, as always, by leaning on each other. Great article .. enjoyed it more than my flight to Vietnam,but, what a wonderful sight when I walked out to the plane to return home. Change). As Captain Dwight Small, a pilot for Flying Tiger Line, recalls, It was pretty hairy, especially in the early days. Her sentiments are echoed by Judy Meyer, who flew for United Air Lines, It was some of the best flying I ever did. Although these women were an integral part of the Vietnam War experience, their contributions are largely unknown outside of the veteran community. Looking back, I owe them my deep thanks for doing their job so splendidly despite the emotional roller-coaster they must have been on. Ninety-three of these were enlisted with the US Army, with the remaining three being from South Vietnam. 2023 CherriesWriter - Vietnam War website. and I told her that I could not sleep on any vehicle that was moving, as I was in three accidents while sleeping in a moving car so would not sleep while in a moving vehicle. More on this later). I do not dwell on the negatives of that war , but there will always be a part of those of us that served in Vietnam that we would prefer to live without. Wonderful memories. And there were parties every single day and every single night, Foster remembered. Such as, I didnt know if I was going to make it back and not wanting to think about that. Travel the world, the ad said. LOTS FOR SALE! A FLY-IN COMMUNITY! (LogOut/ Also those that returned with ptsd, most of us. In March 1962, one such personnel-carrying flight went missing en route to Vietnam. I remember well my Flying Tiger trips. A mysterious gang, The Black Snake Gang, is rising throughout the world. I sat looking out the window the whole flight home, never said a word. But the womens bond outlasted the death of the airline that brought them together. Also in 1946, Flying Tigers moved from Mines Field to the Lockheed Air Terminal in Burbank, California. In 1982, Flying Tigers flew relief flights to Warsaw, Poland. The merger gave the combined airlines scheduled, all-cargo services world-wide. We were eventually invited to leave the club and told to not come back Welcome Home from the USAF in Kadena. Meanwhile, the flight attendants were becoming like a family. And after the fall of Saigon in 1975, when the war ended, they remained connected. Web346 views 9 months ago. I just stood there in my bedroom looking out the window for a very long time,saying to myself Did that really happen??? WebAir America was an American passenger and cargo airline established in 1946 and covertly owned and operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1950 to 1976. Aircraft loaders had earlier refused to work at the extreme 30 feet (9m) height necessary for loading freight on the upper deck, so the "supernumerary area" or "hump" was configured with 19 first class seats instead which were used to transport livestock handlers, charter agents and mechanics as well as dead-heading pilots and flight attendants. Email:jason.fagone@sfchronicle.comTwitter:@jfagone, Link to the actual article: https://bit.ly/2PbitdY. The companys participation in the Peruvian Airlift aided earthquake victims in the quake devastated country. In transit to Viet Nam via Alaska, Japan and Okinawa. Travel the world, the ad said. In 1949, the Civil Aeronautics Board awarded Flying Tiger Line the first commercial air cargo route in the U.S., a transcontinental route from Los Angeles and San Francisco, California to Boston, Massachusetts. August 7, 1989 was the official merger date of Flying Tiger and Federal Express. However, these were not military aircraft, but commercial airliners under contract by the U.S. Air Force Military Airlift Command (MAC) and served by civilian crews and flight attendants. WebFlying Tiger: With Ron Ng, Lee Pace, Jamie B. The next stop was Saigon where we left off troops. To this day, I send emails to friends who are Vets, and the young people in the airports who are recognizable by their uniforms and sincerely Thank them for thier Service. thanks for the ride over and putting up with some of us. On October 11, 1983, Flying Tiger Line Flight 9014, a Boeing 747 (N806FT), ran off the runway at Frankfurt International Airport after a cargo pallet broke loose; the three crew and three passengers survived; the aircraft was substantially damaged, but was repaired and returned to service. These women allayed the fears of soldiers heading to war and offered support and reassurance to those headed home. Photo: The aircraft departed from Andersen AFB in Guam before disappearing over the Western Pacific Ocean. The part Ill always remember is the wonderful round eyes that tolerated us nervous troops as we headed for the unknown going both over to Vietnam and returning to the US. For some the experience changed their political beliefs, although they tried to keep politics off the plane. Flying Tigers was a mechanism of the war she opposed. Excellent Article. (1945 - 1947). It brought back a lot of memories. Not only told to leave, but not to come back. Know now that I was stunned , medical shock, at suddenly the war down below, behind me , was gone. This article was greatdefined exactly how it was when we flew homeI left Vietnam on or about the 5th of January 1968 & Flying Tigers was my carrier! All rights reserved. and flew to Portland ,Oregon. I was lucky enough to have regular contact with the flight crews as they came and went in and out of Tan San Nhut AB . The flight went missing while en route to Vietnam. On March 15, 1962, Flying Tiger Line Flight 7816/14, an L-1049H Super Constellation (N6911C), crashed on approach to Adak Island Naval Air Station, Alaska due to pilot error, killing one of eight on board. Room parties and roof parties and lobby parties and oh, my goodness.. Leslie Pfeifer served aboard Flying Tiger Line from 1967 to 1970, making 75 return flights to South Vietnam. Imitation lets you catch up to the guy ahead, but never lets you pass." Thank you stewardesses. 7 Aug 1989. While there I recall them telling us that there are enemy at the end of the runway and when we take off we are pulling up as fast as we can to keep from being hit. The Flying Tiger Line then put in orders for brand new Boeing 747-200F freighters designated the Boeing 747-249F, which at the time were among the heaviest commercial airplanes flying, weighing in at 823,000 pounds (373,000kg). As the war worsened, and the airline continued hauling scared young men into Vietnam and bringing broken men out, the Flying Tigers crews found themselves wrestling with anger, confusion and sadness. The men were superstitious that the plane would crash it would be just their luck to die in a dumb accident on the verge of getting home. I very much enjoyed it and had no idea that those very attractive young ladies felt that way about us. They wanted to cry but stifled the impulse. Crossing the international date line was my experience in time travel. Contact Thank you to all who came out to join us for our BBQ Fly-in! Thank you so much angels. I only just sat there, silently , the flight home to Fort Lewis. 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. That was not us, recalled Andee Reingold Wright, a San Francisco native who was 21 when she started with Flying Tigers in 1967. A little over an hour later, it was expected to reach the coordinates of 140N 1350E. With only six thousand employees around the world, the Flying Tiger Line carried cargo and people to all corners of the planet. Arrived Travis in daylight and was struck by the absence of bomb craters from my aerial view. Thank you ladies, Im one of those boys. [7][8], Charter and scheduled passenger operations were flown by their subsidiary, Metro International Airlines, which was formed in January 1981, and ceased operations in 1983, when it was sold to Tower Air. I was a Flying Tiger Flight Attendant for 5 years, and those many experiences flying into Tan Son Nhut. Flying Tigers sponsored the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia and transported equipment for the games. Flew over on Military Transport (think it was a 141) The flight was a complete 3 stooges movie MATS had trouble w/plane. I think it is great! The company said it needed flight attendants. Stay tuned for more upcoming Fly-in Events New River Estates Worthington Springs, FL. After 1970, scheduled commercial service, much of which consisted of Asian imports, rapidly overtook military related contracts as the company's primary source of income. Thank you! The Stewardess came back after about 10-15 minutes and asked me Do you mind if I ask you a personal question? I told her No, not really.. The new Flying Tiger airline had its own military role; carrying cargo and troops back and forth to the war in Vietnam. What were the life expectancies of soldiers during the Vietnam War? The former stewardesses of Tiger Airlines still reminisce about their experiences with those brave soldiers, coming and going to Vietnam a long time ago. Country. Their service to our military was so much more than just being a flight attendant on their way over or coming home. Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests. I extended in Vietnam so that I could get out early. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 was a Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft, which is pictured here. Large crew bases were situated at Los Angeles, New York City and Lockbourne, Ohio (Rickenbacker International Airport). A great story, even made me cry, vaguely remembering the trips each way, to and from Vietnam. Despite her personal beliefs, Foster reasoned that nobody needed better care than men heading to a war or coming back from one, and she decided to sign on. In 1975, the airline published the Airfreight Guide for Hazardous Materials, and quickly became a leader in the education and transportation of dangerous goods throughout the world. We relied on each other and the soldiers to manage.. As the company grew and matured, founder and CEO Robert Prescott did also, both in his younger days as an AVG pilot and later in the role of President of the Flying Tiger Line. On this last leg, the passengers are much more somber and thinking ahead to their landing in the war zone. The aircraft was operating a MATS charter flight from Gander to Frankfurt. Ninety-three of these were enlisted with the US Army, with the remaining three being from South Vietnam. Not sure if the change in mood was due to smoked joints and beer, but it sure didnt hurt any. On September 23, 1962, Flying Tiger Line Flight 923, an L-1049H Super Constellation (N6923C), ditched in the North Atlantic after three engines failed, killing 28 of 76 on board. I also n=mourned those I had lost there who could not return alive but were shipped home to grief stricken families. Airline Founded. Flying Tiger Line was ramping up operations in Vietnam, too, and its believed maintenance standards dropped as a result of increased demand. Ceased operations. WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for FLYING TIGERS Douglas DC-8 -Aviation Postcard Airlines-WGA-927 at the best online prices at eBay! I only wish that I could stand before these wonderful ladies. During the course of the war, thousands of flights crisscrossed the Pacific Ocean. Great Read, I was a 26 year old man when I went to that war, I remember not sleeping on the flying tiger flight back home, and the stewardess, sat and talked to me as everyone else was sleeping, I thought the stewardess was a nice person that was concerned about my not sleeping and ask why. After all the things i remember about my viet nam year , i never remembered about the flight to or from . But some homeward-bound passengers were belligerent, unpredictable. To kill time many of us went to the Officers Club, with the flight attendants in tow, and proceeded to party. The Flying Tigers Boeing 707 POLECAT established speed and distance records on its pole-to-pole flight around the world. Not a good way to start the year! On August 7, 1989, Federal Express merged Flying Tigers into its operations. (1947 -- 1957), The acquisition of seven DC-6s represented the largest single purchase the airline industry had ever seen. We were goin up and up , the war down below, falling away now far behind us. I remember how kind and understanding these ladies were to we soldiers going to a war zone. Thank you ladies. They operated a recording company subsidiary, Happy Tiger Records, from 1969 to 1971. The young men on the way over were full of Bravado and Spirit, and many on the return trip were just grateful to finally be going home and overcome with gratitude about leaving that hell hole in one piece. Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the US state of California. That flight SUCKED., but at least I got out of that chit hole. Nobody wanted to take anybody over there who wasnt coming back.. Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the US state of California. They were cordial but standoffish. It was really a struggle to decide what was right or what was wrong, said Okicich. WebThe Flying Tiger Line Incorporated. After an almost three hour delay, the airplane is back in the air and en-route to our final destination Vietnam. We relied on each other and the soldiers to manage.. Thank you and God Bless you all!!!! C-47-Flying Tiger relied heavily on the Douglas C-47, the cargo version of the famed DC-3. This historic symbol was moved from Ellis Island in New York Harbor to Los Angeles for the Annual Rose Parade in Pasadena on January 1, 1985. Thats funny. each of us inside were scared because for the first time non of us were wearing helmets, flack jackets, no weapons or ammo. My most vivid memory is of the landing approach into Bien Hoa Airport. What I do remember is that the plane had a very unpleasant odor and the food was cold. Just reading this article brings tears to my eyes. One day in Vietnam, waiting on the tarmac before a homeward-bound flight, she saw men loading body bags into the belly of the plane. Thanks to all of you that attempted to make our journies more comfortable. I have grieved for them ever since. Budd Conestoga Gen. -- Flying Tiger Line's first aircraft was the Budd Conestoga, an all -- stainless steel, rear--loading, twin--engine aircraft. for the first time, when I read this article, I remembered the cheer that went up spontaneously when we pulled up to about 10,000 feet and realized we were safety out of rocket/mortar danger and headed for home. WebAir America was an American passenger and cargo airline established in 1946 and covertly owned and operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1950 to 1976. The other airlines that that had the contracts to take service men to that war zone in South East Asia was Seaboard World Air lines it was rumored to be own by lady bird Johnson as she was on the Board of directors of Braniff International air ways and that they and Tiger Airlines got those troop movement contracts back in the day; The old boy network was in bed with the men sitting in the white house: Flying Tiger 707 (March 68) from Travis to Anchorage (refuel), on to Okinawa (refuel), and finally to Bien Hoa. So they tried to keep it light. Flying Tiger Attendant Photo: USAF/Mike Andriacco via Wikimedia Commons, ITA Airways To Fly Pope To Budapest On An Airbus A320neo, How Ethiopian Airlines Is Working To Accelerate African Aviation's Development, 92.8%: Scoot Posts Its Highest Ever Load Factor In March 2023. With the Boeing 707s supplemented by Canadair CL-44s, Flying Tigers supplied U.S. military forces and became the largest carrier of cargo in the Pacific. With this plane's nose-loading capabilities, Flying Tigers accommodated even more challenging air freight combinations in size, shape and quantity. Not one of us said a word. Web978 views 8 months ago Andee Wright served as a flight attendant with Flying Tiger Line from 1967 to 1978. God Bless those women who helped me on those hours headed home to start to feel like I might still have some humanity left in me. That motto lasted until the airline was taken over by Federal Express in the late 1980's. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Two examples were thoroughbred racehorses and show animals from Stansted, England to the Melbourne Cup, as well as breeding stock cattle (milk supply) to nations such as Japan and Thailand. She learned then that the Flying Tiger Line, also known as Flying Tigers, specialized in troop transports. I went to Nam not on a Flying Tiger plane, and made it back home in one piece with no PTSD, only a parasite from the veggies. My return flight was one of those that cheered as we lifted off. January 29, 1985, was the first of two lifelift flights for Ethiopian Relief that brought food and medical supplies to the starving inhabitants of that country. It wasnt my style to go asking every woman that I met to get her address and telephone number, besides I had more important things on my mind. It was never seen or heard from again, despite an extensive search operation. This Is Your Captain by Reyne OShaughnessy, Flying Tiger Memories by Guy Van Herbruggen & Charles Kennedy, Tiger 747 by Guy Van Herbruggen/Charles Kennedy, DC-8 & The Flying Tiger Line by Guy Van Herbruggen & Charles Kennedy. JW, beautiful poem. Interesting. The picture below shows a full plane of troops heading to Vietnam on a Flying Tiger Flight. Sometimes, when the wheels pulled up on takeoff, the whole plane would burst out in yells and clapping. Nonetheless, it reached Guam as planned on March 15th. In 1963, Air Cargo Operations moved back to the Los Angeles International Airport. WebFlying Tiger: With Ron Ng, Lee Pace, Jamie B. Remember the illumination flares as we were coming in on final as the sun had not come up yet. A mysterious gang, The Black Snake Gang, is rising throughout the world. After I got wounded and my things taken from me in triage, I never saw that slip of paper again. Flying Tiger history began during World War II when the original aircrafts were small fighter planes. Thank you for taking care of us. (1968-1989), B-747-100 Flying Tigers was the first airline to operate Boeing 747 passenger aircraft converted into efficient air freighters. In June 1946, the Budd Conestogas were replaced by C-47s. First time over in July 68 I was a 29 year old Warrant Officer pilot and flew on a Seaboard World stretch-8 (DC-8-50) that was only a couple of years old but what I remember about the flight was that the plane was dirty and worn and the flight attendants were older than me. Landed in Saigon. After the aircraft failed to arrive at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, the flight was declared as having gone missing on the morning of March 16th, 1962. By this time the airline's personnel had gained such expertise in shipping challenging pieces of freight that the attitude in the industry was, "if Tigers can't move it, nobody can." The C-46s flew the domestic operation while the C-54s remained in overseas charter service. Very interesting. Airline Founded. The plane very quiet, WebHis 93 U.S. military passengers, three South Vietnamese soldiers and the 11 civilian crew members aboard Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 disappeared on their way from Guam to the Philippines. The big, glamorous airline back then was Pan Am. Also in 1962, the company initiated the first coordinated combination of sea and air transportation; later to become known as SeaTiger. Web978 views 8 months ago Andee Wright served as a flight attendant with Flying Tiger Line from 1967 to 1978. I would have been on Flying Tigers returning to the states. But for the ladies I say Thank you I was one of those 18 year old boys that was scared to death. Flying Tigers continued to fly military troops and cargo into Vietnam during the war years. In addition to the emotional impact, the flight attendants risked physical harm while flying to military bases in an active combat zone. All the ladies on all the flights were outstanding, especially the ones on the flight home that handled some of the rude guys in isle seats. Piloted by the novice American Volunteer Group, who were from all branches of the military and civilians, these men provided military support to the Republic of China in their defense against the Japanese invasion between 1941-1942. In April of 1949, after a four-year battle, the company was awarded CAB (Civil Aeronautics Board now FAA) certification and established the FIRST ALL-CARGO Scheduled Route 100 from Los Angeles to Boston with points in between. Medical suplies and staples were aboard the first airlift of relief supplies to reach Poland since the imposition of martial law in November of the previous year. Many of these people became valuable members of the Flying Tigers family. They became known for carrying a number of unique cargoes, including Shamu the SeaWorld killer whale and the torch of the Statue of Liberty. On Wednesday morning in Sacramento, as many as 30 former flight attendants for the airline are reuniting to honor servicemen killed in the war. I often wondered what happened to them and now your story has given closure. We of course did not get his and flew on to Bangkok where we transferred to a military aircraft and flew down to U-T a B-52 base. High over the Pacific, Flying Tiger Line flight 739 was a multi-leg charter service that originated at Travis Air Force Base in the US state of California. Flying the Freedom Birds: Airlines and the Vietnam War. She very quickly wrote down something and gave it to me. In December 1946, Flying Tigers received its first Transpacific Military Contract, flying C-54s to Tokyo and Hawaii. The food on the airplane had to be thrown away because there was no refrigeration on the aircraft for over 48 hours. (1966-1969), The Douglas DC-8-63F was a new breed of aircraft that had a far reaching effect on the continuing growth for the airfreight industry. The first two of these saw delays due to engine maintenance having to be carried out. These ladies were great listeners and very supportive. I salute you all ladies!! Thanks! By the mid-1980s, Flying Tigers operated scheduled cargo service to six continents and served 58 countries. For military personnel, it was a deeply emotional journey in both directions. Great article, spot on! United States. Wish I still knew a few of these darlings. Early in 1961, the first of the Canadair CL-44 all-cargo aircraft joined the flying Tiger Fleet. War II when the original aircrafts were small fighter planes ; later to become known as Flying Tigers continued fly! Bad but I am home!!!!!!!!!! Taken from me in triage, I never saw that slip of paper again famed DC-3 tow. On its pole-to-pole flight around the world you that attempted to make journies. Decent angle brought the entire plane to silence while they considered the reason for that radical.. A Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft, which is pictured here hour later, it was really a struggle to what! 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