Description:

Flying Tigers
n.p., ca. 1940s
Flying Tigers and 23rd Fighter Group Photo, Signed by 15 Pilots - Plus Bonus Signed Photo!
Signed photograph

Color photograph, 8" x 10", of the A.V.G., the "Flying Tigers", in flight. Signed and inscribed in blue ink and black ink by 15 members of the famed squadron. Fine. Offered with a second signed photo, 8" x 10" color and showing Chuck Older and Robert T. Smith being decorated for their service in Rangoon, Burma.

Signatories are:
David Lee "Tex" Hill
Kenneth O. Jernstedt
Robert L. Scott, Jr. (23rd Fighter Group)
Dick Rossi
Paul J. Green
Charlie Bond
Erik Shilling
Ed Rector
Chuck Older
Bob Layher
Bruce Holloway
Robert T. Smith
Bob Neale
Charlie Mott
Donald Lopez

The Flying Tigers, officially known as the 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG), were a unit of American pilots who served during World War II in the Chinese Air Force. Formed in 1941, the group was led by Claire Lee Chennault and composed of pilots from the U.S. Army Air Corps, Navy, and Marine Corps. They are best known for their distinctive shark-faced fighter planes and their courageous defense against Japanese forces in China and Burma before the United States officially entered the war. Despite being outnumbered, the Flying Tigers achieved remarkable success, significantly boosting morale and contributing to the Allied war effort in the Asia-Pacific theater. They are credited with shooting down 299 Japanese airplanes confirmed, about that many unconfirmed, and only lost 12 of their own in actual combat, which is a record that's never been broken to this day.

The 23rd Fighter Group, meanwhile, was formed from the simultaneously disbanded Flying Tigers on July 4, 1942 and inherited its mission. Honoring the history of the AVG, the 23rd continued to use the Shark Tooth nose art of the AVG's P-40 Warhawks, along with the "FT" tail code. Robert Scott became the first commander, and AVG veterans Tex Hill, Bruce Holloway, and Ed Rector were a few of the original Flying Tigers to reunite in the 23rd.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8" x 10"
  • Medium: Signed photograph

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April 23, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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