Flyiing Tigers Suite

Jay, you gave me a web page on the Flying Tigers thread but the
message has now disappeared off my newsreader. Email me at
usenet[AT]danford[DOT]net or post a new thread.

Hi Dan -- here's the link again:
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/the_flying_tiger_suite.htm

Hopefully you can check my AVG facts, and let me know if my (quickly
thrown together) page has any factual errors or omissions.

(I'm never quite sure what to include in those suite descriptions,
since the majority of our guests are NOT pilots... My love of history
compells me to include as much detail as possible, but I see a lot of
people glance at the printed versions in the lobby without reading
them...)

Don't you think you ought to give away a signed copy of the book to
each newlywed couple that stays in the suite?

Sure! Somehow, though, I don't think this first floor, handicapped-
accessible, standard-bath suite is going to attract too many newlyweds
-- cool as it is -- since we've got 16 other suites that offer private
jacuzzi hot tubs. I will, however, proudly keep a copy or two of your
book in our aviation library, for our guests to read. (See it he
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/aviation_library.htm )

It's now over 200 volumes!

We've already got the Flying Tigers DVD movie available for our
guests. Free, of course.

I see the Flying Tigers Suite as being one of our highest occupancy
suites because it is our nicest, newest "cheap suite" (just $84.95/
night, incuding a delivered breakfast) that offers first floor, drive-
up access. With AOPA/EAA discounts, that drops to just $76.95...
If folks learn something about the AVG in the process of enjoying
their stay in Iowa City, one of my goals of propagating knowledge of
our aviation history will have been met.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

On Sat, 25 Aug 2007 05:29:12 -0700, Jay Honeck
wrote:

http://www.alexisparkinn.com/the_flying_tiger_suite.htm


The Curtiss P-40B Warhawks the AVG received were British rejects,
without gunsights, bomb racks, or auxiliary fuel tanks.

They were Tomahawks taken at random off a Curtiss line building Tommis
for the RAF, for use in North Africa. The British would have fitted
them with cannibalized optical sights, radios, and machineguns from
crashed or otherwise weary aircraft in the theater, so they didn't
have these items supplied, though they were able to acquire
substitutes here and there. (The optical sights were always a problem,
since the British "armourglass" didn't have holes pre-drilled that
would fit the USAAF sight.) No bombs racks or drop tanks on any of
these P-40s. (The P-40C did have a centerline rack, but that was an
addition after the British order was completed.)

So they weren't really rejects, though it is true that Curtiss
apparently retrofitted them with stuff intended for the P-40B/Tomahawk
IIA, and that Allison built 50 replacement engines from parts that
were deemed unsuitable by the RAF or USAAF.

Don't you hate long answers?

$84.95! Ah, those were the days! No sooner did I get hardened to $200
a night hotel rooms than I started getting quoted $400, and that's
before taxes.


Blue skies! -- Dan Ford

Claire Chennault and His American Volunteers, 1941-1942
new from HarperCollins www.FlyingTigersBook.com