There’s a new look in the main lobby of Flying Tigers’ Robert W. Prescott Building – commonly known as Hi-Tiger – at World Headquarters in Los Angeles.
Anyone who has ever been to the World Headquarters building at LAX will know exactly what the aircraft model “bubble” display is, a distinctive and historic display of Flying Tigers aircraft models. It was the centerpiece of the lobby, every employee and every visitor saw it upon entering the building. And it was a stunning piece of artistry.
Originally, the display was housed in the Lo-Tiger building before Hi-Tiger was built. And it stayed there for a good while, probably about 15 years. We don’t know exactly when the original display was built and installed, but we do know that it was moved to the Hi-Tiger lobby in October 1984, to the delight of employees.
The custom designed display consists of a large wooden case featuring circular cutouts with distinctive bubble windows, behind which are mounted models of Flying Tigers aircraft types flown throughout the airline’s history. The original display had models up through and including the DC-8 aircraft, but when it was moved for more prominent visibility, the local HDQ facilities, maintenance and carpentry area all had a hand in refurbishing the display, making a few modifications and adding the 747 and 727 aircraft models, which were not in the fleet at the time the unit was originally created. Additionally, they added the World War II “Flying Tigers” P-40 fighter plane flown by the men who later founded Flying Tigers – the airline.
Dan Tracy – Artist and creator of the display
Creator of the Tiger aircraft models on permanent display at Flying Tiger Lines World Headquarters.
Dan Tracy started making model airplanes when he was 5. By the time he was 12, his work was on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, and before he finished high school, he was recognized as one of the truly outstanding American experts in the art of model aircraft building.
Dan financed his education at the Catholic University of America by continuing sales of aircraft models to the Smithsonian. For his college thesis, he worked on the original design and construction of the model for a supersonic business jet capable of flying coast to coast in 135 minutes!
Upon graduating from college, Dan was engaged by Boeing Aircraft. There he is involved in the design and engineering of engine mountings and tail assemblies for Boeing’s new supersonic transport. Dan’s father, not too surprisingly, is a pilot and is also the aviation editor of the Cleveland Press. It is his early influence that directed Dan into the hobby that has become his profession. As to the future, we can all expect even greater things from this remarkable young man. You see, he’s only 21.
The models on display are produced to exact scale and reflect an exact detail from airframe to paint dress, the aircraft which have made-up Flying Tiger fleets.
The pictures below are clickable.
The photo on the left is the original display from Lo-Tiger. Unfortunately we don’t know what year this photo was taken, but presumably between 1968-1973. The photo on the right is the display case where it currently sits on permanent display at the Flight Path Museum at LAX; shortly after the FTL/FDX merger, this unit ended up at the Santa Monica airport museum, and when they were unable to house it any longer, it got moved to the Flight Path Museum in the early 2000s. Also on display is the DC-8 cutaway model.
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Tender Loving Care, Repair and Deep Cleaning – September 2025
In the late summer 2025, FTLHS got notification from the Flight Path that one of the “bubbles” dislodged. After multiple trips to the Flight Path to review options on the repair, it became apparent that this was not going to be an easy task. Since the acrylic bubbles are attached from the inside, this was going to be a delicate operation and more complex than anticipated. The entire unit measured about 7 feet tall and 12 feet wide and was permanently affixed to the wall (California earthquake codes), was extremely bulky but very delicate at the same time. A professional carpenter was hired to assist with the project, a plan was hatched, and a team of volunteers was assembled along with a pile of supplies and on Tuesday September 9, the volunteers gathered at the Flight Path Museum and went to work.
The first task was to remove the 7’x12’ wooden cover with the acrylic bubbles. You could have heard a pin drop as everyone held their collective breaths as the cover was being removed. Because it’s made out of multiple pieces of 3⁄4 inch plywood literally glued together, the unit was quite heavy and extremely flexible and every inch it was moved was fear, worry, anxiety and concern that the the whole thing would fall apart. However, the original construction 58 years ago was complete perfection and absolutely flawless and there was nothing to fear!
Once the “cover” was separated from the main wall unit, the volunteers proceeded to clean and dust the bubbles that had accumulated decades of dust. The acrylic bubble that became dislodged was reattached and all other bubbles were reinforced. The models were carefully cleaned, and one of the airplanes that must have slipped during transportation years ago was reinforced.
All of this was done with a lot of love. The unit was cleaned from top to bottom, inside and out, vacuumed inside, and acrylic bubbles cleaned with a delicate soapy mixture. After a short rest and lunch break, the crew reassembled to re-attach the 7’x12’ cover. Once again, no one breathed while the cover was inched back to the main unit and fastened back in place. As it was tightened with the last screw, everyone took a collective sigh of relief and admired the completed project as the unit truly shined once again.
The entire project took just about 3- 1/2 hours with a team of 8 volunteers. Below are some photos to see the process and what it took to get the job done. Tigers are always up to a challenge and this one was worth it. All pictures are clickable.
Many thanks to volunteers Helena Burke, John Burke, Charlie Calleja, Tom Fay, Sean Lonergan, Gary Molinari and Manuel Paliungas. A debt of gratitude to professional carpenter, Jim Andersen, who volunteered his time to lead the project.
The bottom middle acrylic bubble (with the yellow sticky note) where the C47 is displayed became dislodged in the late summer 2025.
First steps to remove the cover with the acrylic bubbles.
The cover is slowly and methodically inched backwards.
The volunteers support the cover as it is being braced. The acrylic bubble that was the culprit of this project can be seen on the left side of the photo at the bottom of the aircraft display board. In the background, slightly behind the ladder, can be seen the portrait of Robert W. Prescott, as he watches the delicate work in progress.
Bracing of the unit continues on both sides.
The work begins as acrylic bubbles are inspected.
Each acrylic bubble was reinforced.
The B707 and DC8 model airplanes got a little adjustment as well.
All work has been completed, the crew takes a little break, and gathers courage to put it all back together.
The cover has been reattached as the volunteers make one final inspection.
Final polishing of the wood case.
Volunteers pose for a final picture for a job well done. Everyone is smiling, extremely proud of the final product, all shiny and “new” again. Volunteers, from left to right: Tom Fay, Jim Andersen (professional carpenter), Gary Molinari, Manuel Paliungas, Sean Lonergan, Helena Burke, John Burke, Charlie Calleja.