One of the AVG's innovative tactics was the creation of rows of fake bamboo aircraft, built and painted by the Chinese, which successfully attracted Japanese air attacks away from the real (hidden) aircraft. These faux air strike successes dissuaded the Japanese from dealing the AVG a death blow by attacking in large numbers. Japanese intelligence documents of the time estimate the AVG at over 1,000 aircraft and pilots, when in fact the number was about 85 at three different squadron airfields.
Another innovative necessity was the Chinese air-raid warning system, a vast spidernet of people, radios, telephones, and telegraph lines. This provided the number and altitude of incoming enemy attacks, as well as located and guided lost friendlies, directed aid to pilots who had crashed or bailed out, and guided intelligence experts to wrecks of crashed enemy aircraft.
A "blood chit" was painted on the back of each flying jacket of The Flying Tigers pilots to help them if they were shot down. The Chinese characters read: "This foreign person has come to China to help in the war effort. Soldiers and civilians, one and all, should rescue, protect, and provide him medical care." Replicas of these jackets are still popular as fashion and collector items.
The AVG was disbanded in July 1942, to be replaced by U.S. Army Air Force units since the U.S. was now in the war. But these units never enjoyed the special place in history carved out by the bold and aggressive AVG. Even today, the shark-faced fighters remain among the most recognizable symbols of any unit in military history.
Replicated on this Firebird is the paint scheme of The Flying Tigers aircraft "White 53," one of the planes flown by Squadron Leader David Lee "Tex" Hill, who transferred to the USAAF after the AVG was disbanded, later becoming commander of the USAAF 23rd Fighter Group.
He is credited with 18 confirmed victories, making him a triple ace, and retired at age 31 as a Brigadier General. Tex won the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Chinese Order of the Cloud
Banner 4th, 5th and 6th grades, 2-Star Wing Decorations, Chinese Victory Medal, and British Distinguished Flying Cross. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1968.
Tex Hill passed away recently on October 12, 2007, at age 92, but will forever be remembered as a shining example of the best traits of an American serviceman. Troy Avent