The Flying Tigers. The Story of the American Volunteer Group by Russell Whelan, Early Edition, Signed by 17 Flying Tigers, 1944

Whelan, Russell. The Flying Tigers. The Story of the American Volunteer Group. Garden City: Garden City Publishing Co., Inc., [1944]. Early edition. Signed by 17 members of the American Volunteer Group. 8vo. Publisher’s gray cloth, front board stamped in blue and red, spine lettered in blue. Publisher’s printed dust jacket. 

Presented is an early edition printing of The Flying Tigers. The Story of the American Volunteer Group by Russell Whelan, signed by seventeen members of the Flying Tigers. The book was published by Garden City Publishing Co., Inc., in 1944. The book is presented in its original gray cloth boards, stamped in red and blue on the front and lettered in blue on the spine, and the publisher’s illustrated dust jacket. It is accompanied by a new archival green leather and cloth clamshell case. 

The First American Volunteer Group, also called the Flying Tigers, was a short-lived unit, but during the seven months they flew combat under the leadership of Claire Lee Chennault, they destroyed almost 300 Japanese attacking airplanes. Fliers of the First American Volunteer Group who have signed this book include Tex Hill, Dick Rossi, Eric Schilling, Charlie Mott, James H. Howard, Ed Rector, Robert (Buster) Keeton, Rich Richardson, Parker S. Dupouy, Ken Jernstedt, Charlie Bond, Chuck Engle, Peter Wright, Joe Rosbert, Ed Stiles, Leo J. Schramm, and Rody Rodewald. They signed on the front free endpage and the full title page, in various black and blue ink.

In April 1941, American President Franklin Roosevelt issued a secret executive order authorizing reserve officers and enlisted men to resign from the Army Air Corps, Naval, and Marine air services for the purpose of serving in the American Volunteer Group under the command of Claire Lee Chennault. Chennault divided his unit of 100 P-40 fighters into three squadrons, stationed two in Kunming and the third in Burma to protect China’s passage to the sea.

The AVG first saw combat on December 20, 1941 when ten enemy heavy bombers raided Kunming. AVG fighters intercepted the bombers, shooting down six and damaging three while sustaining no casualties of their own. With the support of Chinese code breakers and signal intelligence, the AVG continued to provide cover for Chinese ground forces and defend Chinese cities against attacks by enemy bombers. Their exploits and distinct plane nose art designs garnered them the legendary nickname of the Flying Tigers.

CONDITION:

Original gray cloth boards, stamped in red and blue on the front and lettered in blue on the spine. Light wear to the spine. Original publisher’s illustrated dust jacket, price clipped. Archival repairs to the dust jacket to stabilize tears and remove old tape. Interior pages are in good condition, healthy with only a little toning.  Signed in blue and black inks on the first free endpage and full title page. Signatures are legible, many denoted with the fliers’ AVG groups.  It is accompanied by a new archival ¼ green leather and cloth clamshell case. 

Book Dimensions: 8 1/4" H x 6" W x 1" D. Slipcase Dimensions: 9 1/4" H x 7" W x 2" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.