Flying Tigers facts for kids
The Flying Tigers were a brave group of American fighter pilots. They came from the United States Army Air Force, the United States Navy, and the United States Marine Corps. A skilled leader named Claire Lee Chennault was their commander.
History
In 1937, Claire Lee Chennault left the American military. He then became a special advisor to China. He looked at China's air force and saw it was not strong enough to fight their enemy, Japan.
In 1938, Chennault started planning for the Flying Tigers. They began fighting the Japanese in late 1941, right after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The main airplane they used was the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. There were about 100 of these fighter aircraft. The P-40s could not turn as quickly as Japanese fighters like the A6M Zero or the Ki-43 Oscar. However, the P-40 was very tough. It had more guns and could fly faster when diving.
The Flying Tigers fought bravely throughout World War II.
What Made the Flying Tigers Famous?
The Flying Tigers are remembered for a few special things. One famous thing was how they painted their airplanes. Each plane had a scary shark face on its nose! This made them look fierce and was easy to recognize.
They were also known for fighting very hard during the war. They showed great courage and skill. Even Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was the President of the United States at the time, said they were excellent.
Flying Aces
A "flying ace" is a pilot who has shot down five or more enemy airplanes. Here are some of the Flying Tigers who became aces:
- Percy Bartelt (5.0 victories)
- William Bartling (5.0 victories)
- Charles Bond (7.0 victories)
- George Burgard (10.0 victories)
- Robert Hedman (6.0 victories)
- David Lee "Tex" Hill (10.25 victories)
- Frank Lawlor (7.0 victories)
- Robert Little (10.0 victories)
- William McGarry (8.0 victories)
- Robert Neale (13.0 victories)
- John Newkirk (7.0 victories)
- Charles Older (10.0 victories)
- Edmund Overend (5.0 victories)
- Robert Prescott (5.5 victories)
- Joseph Camille Rosbert (6.0 victories)
- Richard Rossi (6.0 victories)
- Robert Sandell (5.0 victories)
- Robert H. Smith (5.0 victories)
- Robert T. Smith (8.9 victories)
Images for kids
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Chennault in his Kunming office, May 1942. He wears a US Army brigadier general's star on his left shoulder but Chinese insignia otherwise.
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3rd Squadron Hell's Angels, Flying Tigers, over China, photographed in 1942 by AVG pilot Robert T. Smith
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P-40 Warhawk painted with Flying Tigers shark face at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
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Resignation letter from the U.S. Marine Corps, used to accept a position with the Central Aircraft Manufacturing Co.
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1943: A Kittyhawk Mark III of 112 Squadron, taxiing through scrub at Medenine, Tunisia. The ground crewman on the wing is directing the pilot, whose view ahead is hindered by the aircraft's nose.
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A ZG 76 Bf 110C with "sharks mouth" nose paint
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A "blood chit" issued to the American Volunteer Group Flying Tigers. The Chinese characters read, "This foreign person has come to China to help in the war effort. Soldiers and civilians, one and all, should rescue and protect him." (R. E. Baldwin Collection)
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The Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa was a single-engined land-based fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in World War II
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Flight leader and fighter ace Robert "R.T." Smith stands next to his P-40 fighter at Kunming, China. The "Flying Tiger" insignia was created by the Walt Disney Company.
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Flying Tigers Monument Ocala, Florida Memorial Park
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Restored P-40 on display at the National World War II Museum
See also
In Spanish: Tigres Voladores para niños
