Aircraft and Equipment

The Flying Tiger Line utilized eleven different aircraft during operations from 1945 to 1989. The airline was also instrumental in the development of special equipment used to service the planes, load the freight, and contain shipments once airborne. Other types of aircraft were considered for cargo transportation, but never purchased, and a smaller assortment of individual aircraft were utilized by the airline’s parent corporation, Tiger International, during the 1980s.

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

(1941-1942) The iconic Warhawk flown by the AVG Flying Tigers

Budd RB-1 Conestoga

(1946-1949) This was the first aircraft in FTL’s fleet

Douglas C-47 Skytrain

(1946-1951) An aircraft also used by the CAT for flights over the Hump and by the US during WWII, they also came into surplus after the war and were purchased by FTL.

Curtiss C-54 Skymaster

(1947-1957) Also in surplus as a transport during WWII, this was the first four-engine aircraft in FTL’s fleet enabling international flights over water.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

(1949-1961) The same aircraft predominantly used by the CAT for flights over the hump, they came into surplus after the war and were purchased by FTL

Douglas DC-6A

(1953-1958) Advancements and greater lift gave this aircraft longer range and heavier loads than the C-54.

Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation

(1957-1967) The Constellation began the age of nonstop transcontinental flying for FTL.

Canadair CL-44D Swingtail

(1961-1969) This aircraft, informally referred to as the Swingtail, was FTL’s first jet turbine powered aircraft.

Boeing 707

(1965-1969) First turbojet in the fleet.

Douglas DC-8

(1968-1989) The DC8, the first “Jumbo Jet”, quickly replaced the B707.

Boeing 747

(1974-1989) The Freightmaster.

Boeing 727

(1983-1989) Boeing’s best selling aircraft were used in domestic operations for entry into the quickly emerging and successful door-to-door overnight express package market.