DC-8 and the Flying Tiger Line

The story of a pioneering airline and a historically significant aircraft; the combination changed the world of air commerce forever. This unique book tells the story of the Douglas DC-8 jetliner in the service of air cargo giant Flying Tiger Line, with a detailed individual airframe history of every one of the forty-seven DC-8s that flew for the airline; pilot s recollections of their time on type; a wealth of photographic, technical and promotional material; and a pair of epic historical essays. The first covers the history of the airline, of American Volunteer Group pilots in China in World War 2, evolving into a fly-by-night cargo outfit in the propliner era, growing in size and sophistication until the Flying Tiger Line was a global brand in air cargo in the golden days of the jet age. The other essay covers the DC-8 from the beginning of the Douglas story in the time of the Wright Bros right up to the last active DC-8 of today including an in-depth look at NASA s DC-8-72 flying laboratory.Aviation journalist Charles Kennedy (Airliner World, Aviation News, Airways) and historian Guy Van Herbruggen (who led the project to rescue and restore the original Flying Tigers DC-8 simulator) have created an essential addition to every aviation enthusiasts bookshelf.
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Author Biography

Guy Van Herbruggen is an aviation historian and researcher based in Brussels. Together he and Charles wrote DC-8 & The Flying Tiger Line Charles Kennedy is one of civil aviation s best-known writers, whose books include DC-8 & The Flying Tiger Line, Story of the MD11, Tiger 747, Jetliners of the Red Star and Air3 (with Sam Chui). He is a regular features writer for Airliner World, Aviation News and Airways magazines. The interest in aviation started in his 70s Sydney childhood, and bloomed in the 80s after his family moved to England, necessitating a trip to Australia every other year, flying every exotic combination of airline and hardware along the Kangaroo Route plus the inaugural non-stop Qantas London to Perth scheduled flight. Charles piloting experience includes the Piper PA-28, North American TF-51 Mustang, time logged on the MiG-15 and training on the 707 simulator at the Pan Am International Flight Academy in Miami.