Another "Flying Tigers" A-2 FS

[442RCT]

So whadd'ya think ?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290632654513&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123#vi-desc

 

[unclegrumpy]

Looks real, but it's a 14th AF jacket not "Flying Tigers".

 

[Flyderf]

Looks like a Dubow.

 

[Stony]

Looks real, but it's a 14th AF jacket not "Flying Tigers".

It is a very common mistake that people mistake the 14th AF for the Flying Tigers. I was assigned to the 23rd Fighter Wing when I was in the Air Force in the early 70s. However, I was not a "Flying Tiger", but our motif was very much like the patch on the chest of this A-2.

 

[TankBuster]

Looks real, but it's a 14th AF jacket not "Flying Tigers".

Exactly. It's just a 14th AAF chest size patch. They were fairly common in the CBI especially with cargo and hump pilots.

 

[Anonymous]

for sure it shows a tiger with wings

 

[Silver Surfer]

the big head, sometimes red painted tiger, always facing left, is believed to be of the air commandos, 14th af. these are usually early war patches, about or prior to 1942. the jac looks like a dubow. i have a 1941-42 [first contract without the collar stand] that has a version of the big headed tiger, painted red, on it. its curious though, that the size of the patch on the jacket being offered is somewhat small, possibly made for a shoulder patch. the few [perhaps a total of 4] that i have seen [mine included] are in the 5" diameter range. anyhoo, the jac looks legit.

 

[Silver Surfer]

oops, thats a 1941-42 aero that i have with the big head, red tiger.

 

[Roughwear]

Yes its a Dubow from the 27798 contract that was issued in 1942. I agree it's a 14th AF jacket.

 

[Persimmon]

Yes its a Dubow from the 27798 contract that was issued in 1942. I agree it's a 14th AF jacket.

The person selling it is well...actually not the person selling it.

Its being put on by a friend of the owner and this was the information the "seller" was given about the jackets history by another friend.

 

[Roughwear]

Yes its a Dubow from the 27798 contract that was issued in 1942. I agree it's a 14th AF jacket.

The person selling it is well...actually not the person selling it.

Its being put on by a friend of the owner and this was the information the "seller" was given about the jackets history by another friend.

We the info in the listing is misleading then as it says:

This was given to me by a neighbor in 1977 In Houston ,Texas when I was a kid and I have had it all these years I have lovingly taken care of it using proper leather conditioners etc to keep it in great shape.

 

[Tim P]

It looks honest.

 

[Roughwear]

I think it looks honest too Tim. Perhaps Alan can explain why he says the person selling it is not the owner of the jacket?

 

[Stony]

I received a reply from the seller and he posted what information the owner of the jacket gave him. He was glad to know exactly what type of jacket is was, and from his tone, seems like he'll probably change the wording.

 

[Anonymous]

Looks real, but it's a 14th AF jacket not "Flying Tigers".

From what I understand Chennault used the name Flying Tigers in the fourteenth AAF, yes the AVG were the original Flying Tigers, but maybe I'm wrong.

 

[RCSignals]

Didn't that usage just happen through lineage? Is there not a unit that still calls itself 'Flying Tigers' through decendance?

 

[shedonwanna]

Didn't that usage just happen through lineage? Is there not a unit that still calls itself 'Flying Tigers' through decendance?

The only unit given direct permission from the AVG Flying Tigers to officially use "Flying Tigers" is the 229th Aviation Regiment. They have even adopted the AVG squadron insignia and hold the AVG in high regards.

Quote from their web site:
In 1988, the 229th Aviation Regiment (ATTACK) was granted permission from the American Volunteer Group (FLYING TIGERS) to use their name and logo. All units within the 229th Aviation Regiment are proudly known as the Flying Tigers. Just like their early World War Two brethren, the modern day Flying Tigers are prepared to go anywhere in the world and confront overwhelming odds to maintain democracy and peace to oppressed people.