American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) Special Collection
Scope and Contents
The collection is broken down into pre-war, wartime, and post-war eras, but each era may contain material on the subject from later years. The collection begins with background information on the China-Japanese War in early 1941, prior to the involvement of the AVG, with an emphasis on assessment of Chinese air power. The second section documents the establishment of the AVG, which became known as the Flying Tigers. The third section documents activities of the United States Air Force from July 4, 1942 on, the official date of the disbanding of the AVG. The fourth section covers activities of the AVG Veterans' associations, including incorporation and the application for veteran status. The last section covers the activities of the 14th Air Force Association, including merchandising, books/brochures/periodicals, and a number of the Flying Tigers reunion booklets. Each section will contain some or all of the Series listings noted below.
Dates
- 1927 - 2000
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Conditions Governing Use
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
Biographical / Historical
The 1st American Volunteer Group, also known as AVG, and more famously as the Flying Tigers—was a group of volunteer American pilots from various branches of the military, led by Lieutenant General Claire Lee Chennault. Answering a call from Madame Chiang Kai Shek, Chennault initially gathered together the AVG to perform a survey of the Chinese Air Force. The AVG was comprised of 3 squadrons: 1st Adam and Eves, 2nd Panda Bears, and 3rd Hell’s Angels. The group saw combat after Pearl Harbor in 1941, and went on to produce multiple victories against the Japanese, and emerged with multiple Flying Aces. Chennault employed his fighter doctrine, which was based on careful study of the enemy’s tactics, while employing their strengths in altitude. The Flying Tigers were famous too for their successes in the air battle over Rangoon. In addition to their combat victories, the Flying Tiger members and Chennault were highly celebrated, and in 1992, AVG veterans were finally recognized as members of the military services, and all members were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The ground crew were rewarded the Bronze Star. In popular culture, the Flying Tigers are readily recognizable in their iconic shark face nose art. They have also been featured in various movies, books and documentaries.
Extent
4.47 Cubic Feet (It contains correspondence, articles, documents, reunion yearbooks, artifacts, etc., relating to the American Volunteer Group (AVG), known as the “Flying Tigers,” the China Air Task Force, the United States 10th Air Force, and the United States 14th Air Force, all of which have used the Flying Tigers designation. ) ; The collection consists of seven flip-top archival boxes; three measuring 10.5”x15.5”x7’, two measuring 10.5”x15.5”x5”, and two measuring 10.5”x12.5”x5”.
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This series contains various correspondences, articles, documents, reunion yearbooks, etc. relating to the American Volunteer Group (AVG), known as the “Flying Tigers.”
Arrangement
Materials are arranged in an imposed order according to subject and material type.
Other Finding Aids
A more detailed, item level finding aid is available at http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/collections/collection_item.php?id=139
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The bulk of this collection was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum prior to 2007, when it was compiled from existing holdings. The contents of Box 03 and Box 04 were previously known as the Papers of Walter W. Pentecost as of August 2006.
- Title
- American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) Special Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Cindy Chen
- Date
- August 2, 2011
- Description rules
- Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives Repository
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101 USA US
(619) 234-8291
(619) 233-4525 (Fax)