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American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) Special Collection
SDASM.022
SDASM.022
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Title: American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) Special Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.022
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
3.6 Linear feet
9 archival boxes.
Date: 1927-1996
Abstract: This series contains various correspondences, articles, documents, reunion yearbooks, etc. relating to the American Volunteer
Group (AVG), known as the “Flying Tigers.”
Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
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.
Box I - AVG General Series I: AVG Veteran Status Essay Series II: Manuscript Copies Series III: Personal Correspondences Series
IV: AVG Roster/Inventory Series V: AVG Mailing Lists Series VI: Bibliographies Series VII: AVG – China
Box 2 - AVG General
Series I: Flying Tigers Artifacts/Miscellany Series II: Magazine Articles Series III: News Clippings Series IV: Reunion Brochures/Yearbooks
Series V: Papers of Ed McKellar, Executive Director, San Diego Air & Space Museum
Box 3 – Walter Pentecost 1 of 2
Series I: Books (Autographed) Series II: Interviews Series III: Ferry Pilot Forms/Aircraft Record of Reception Series IV:
Aircraft Service Logs/Maintenance & Operational Procedures Series V: Letters of Recommendation, Military Forms for Service
Series VI: Correspondence: AVG Family Letters Series VII: Maps and Blueprints Series VIII: News Clippings: Pentecost, AVG
Series IX: Personal Daily Calendar Series X: Vultee Aircraft, Inc. Employment Agreement Series XI: Correspondence regarding
AAHS Journal Article, AVG Series XII: Correspondence: Chennault, Employment in China Series XIII: Correspondence: Miscellaneous
and other Papers Series XIV: Outline/Notes, AVG book
Box 4 – Walter Pentecost 2 of 2
Series I: Walter Pentecost Publications, AVG Series II: Souvenirs Series III: Thiokol Trip Log, 1959-1961 Series IV: Museum
Correspondence
Box 5 – Book, Pictorial History of the Flying Tigers
Series I: Books
Box 6 – 14th Squadron AVG
Series I: Pictorial Magazine and Other Publications Series II: Miscellaneous Articles Series III: Operations and Graphs Series
IV: Research Correspondence Documents Series V: Military and Other Documents
Box 7 – AVG Association Papers 1
Series I: AVG Reunion Newsletters Series II: AVG Association Application for Exemption Series III: AVG Association Documents
Series IV: Time Magazine Excerpts Series V: Personal Correspondence Series VI: Bill of Rights Requesting Veterans’ Recognition
Series VII: Documents – AVG T-Shirt Production Series VIII: Military Documents Series IX: Letter From President George Bush
Series X: Robert S. Schreibman Correspondence
Box 8 – AVG Association Papers 2
Series I: AVG T-Shirt Contract, Merchandising, etc. Series II: AVG Media Relations—Daniel Ford Book Series III: AVG Images/Design/Bulletins
1994-5 Series IV: John R. Rossi Honorable Discharge Papers Series V: Claire Chennault Stamp
Box 9 - AVG Association Papers 3
Series I: AVG Miscellaneous Articles Series II: AVG Flying Tigers Incorporation, 1989 Legal Documents 1 Series III: AVG Flying
Tigers Incorporation, 1989 Legal Documents 2 Series IV: AVG Application for Veteran’s Status Series V: AVG Trademark/Military
Decorations/Design
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
This collection was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum in 2007.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
American Volunteer Group, "Flying Tigers" -- Archives
American Volunteer Group (AVG)
Flying Tigers