Flying Tigers Association Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 2001-04-27-A

Contents of the Collection

The Flying Tigers Association Collection consists of textual and visual materials related to the First American Volunteer Group (AVG), also known as the "Flying Tigers," from World War II. Materials from various members include logs, correspondence, identity cards, and photographic prints. Most of the material is from dates of active service, 1941-1942, but some items are commemorative, primarily lithographs and reunion materials, circa 1990s.

Dates

Creation: circa 1939 to 1945
Creation: circa 1990s

Creator

Flying Tigers Association (Organization)

Language of Materials

Some materials are in Chinese. All other materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research but has not been fully processed. Access to the collection may be limited or may require additional processing time. For more information contact us.

Conditions Governing Use

The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.

Historical Note: American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers"

The First American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Chinese Air Force in 1941–1942 was nicknamed the "Flying Tigers." The AVG was commanded by Claire Lee Chennault and consisted of three fighter squadrons that trained in Burma. The AVG were officially members of the Chinese Air Force and flew Curtiss P-40 Warhawks. AVG pilots earned official credit and received combat bonuses for destroying 296 enemy aircraft, while losing only 14 pilots in combat. Nineteen AVG pilots earned ace status (five or more confirmed air-to-air victories). The group was disbanded in July 1942 and became the 23rd Fighter Group of the United States Army Air Forces, then was later absorbed into the United States Fourteenth Air Force, led by General Chennault.

Source: Wikipedia and assorted publications.

Extent

.9 Cubic Feet (1 5-inch legal size document box, 1 oversize box (16x20"))

Additional Description

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

Related Materials at The Museum of Flight

The Robert H. Neale Flying Tigers Collection (Accession 2008-08-29). Collection primarily relates to Robert H. Neale's 1941-1942 service as an ace fighter pilot with the American Volunteer Group (AVG), also known as the Flying Tigers, in Burma during World War II. It is comprised of visual and textual materials, including approximately 470 photographic prints and 61 negatives, military orders and documents, personal documents, and assorted clippings and ephemera. It also includes a significant amount of post-war material related to both Neale and the AVG, dated 1958-2004.

Online finding aid available at: https://archives.museumofflight.org/repositories/2/resources/410

Jesse R. Crookshanks Flying Tigers Collection (Accession 2001-05-25). Small collection of merican Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers" photographs and publications related to reunion activities.

Online finding aid available at: https://archives.museumofflight.org/repositories/2/resources/455

Separated Materials

An extensive selection of items have been separated from the archival component and are kept in Objects storage. Materials include, but are not limited to, uniforms and uniform accessories, weapons, coins, plaques and pins. For more information contact us.