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| See www.FlyingTigerHeritagePark.com for the FULL and current story! |
CLICK on the links below to view additional pages of information: Home Itinerary FAQs General Conditions Reservation Form Newsy Bits and Pieces Special Extras Flying Tigers Order 2005 DVD About Us Travel Aire Call Us Toll Free at: E-mail us: ChinaVIPTour@aol.com |
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“SAVING CHENNAULT”S CAVE” Travel Aire is currently working with official representatives of historical preservation in China to ensure permanent access to the site of the headquarters cave in Guilin, China, which was used by Gen. Claire Chennault and his Flying Tigers (both AVG and 14th AAF). Plans underway at this time include forming a non-profit organization in the US to administer and oversee the collection of donations (large and small) from interested individuals and organizations. Many of our past tour participants have already indicated a desire to contribute once the collection method is in place. The Chinese delegation from Beijing has worked on artist’s renderings and architectural drawings of proposed improvements to the access road which currently crosses a private chicken farm. They also will make improvements to the pathway leading up the hill and into the cave itself. China has increased this project from their original 15-acre site proposal to a full 300 acres and a much more elaborate park to honor these heroes. They have also increased their monetary particpation to a full $3 million USD to make this a world-class visitors' spot. We are using our web page www.FlyingTigerHeritagePark.com to keep all of you up-to-date with our progress. Click on the "Organization" block and scroll down to view many views of this proposed parl. Drop us an E-mail from either that web site or to to ChinaVIPTour@aol.com if you wish to become involved in any way or want us to notify you when the non-profit organization is in place so that you, too, can contribute to helping save a remarkable part of our WW II history. The following article appeared in the July 2006 issue of “ In Flight USA”(& a new one is due out in August 2008 : When Larry Jobe retired from United Airlines in early 2001, he never dreamed he would soon become so involved with taking Aviation enthusiasts, WW II history buffs and Flying Tigers from WW II on VIP tours of China. During his last years as captain of a B747-400 flying to the Far East, he had discovered the incredible changes occurring in China and had become enraptured also with their history, culture and the wonderful Chinese people. At first, he and his wife Nina would accompany friends and family on tours of China as personal tour guides. Soon they found themselves caught up in leading larger groups there on an annual low-cost, high-end VIP tour that Larry was able to have specially tailored to also include sights of interest to aviators and those with a passion for WW II history and the Flying Tigers in particular all in addition to the fabulous normal touring of China’s wide-spread highlights. 10/1/06 Update - Soon we expect to receive from the Chinese officials collabortaing with us on this project their artists' renderings and architectural drawings, along with a cost estimate, so that we may establish our goals and begin soliciting donations towards the successful completion of this effort to not only preserve Chennallut;s cave, but to restore it to its original appearance inside. 12/21/06 Update - We have just received the following letter and depictions of what is planned for development at the site of the old Yang Tang airfield outside Guilin which was used by the Flying Tigers in China during WW II (both the original AVG group and those that followed from the 23rd FG and the 14th AAF, all under the command of Gen. Claire Chennault. [All further updates now appear on the offical web site: www.Flying TigerHeritagePark.com] We are excited to see that the Chinese plan a significant and well-developed site to honor and commemorate the Americans and Chinese who fought together to help save China. We will be forming a non-profit organization shortly to solicit donations for the requested $400,000 for the access road, pathways and cave enhancements. The Chinese government will be applying their contribution - recently increased to $3 million USD and a full 300 acres - towards the additional buildings and appointments (a significantly higher amount than originally stated in the letter below). We will also be seeking artifacts, films and photos, plus stories (writeen or by video) to contribute to this historical museum site at the old headquarters cave site by the old airfield. We believe this will be a significant addition to the already wonderful list of places to visit in the Guilin area (the famous garden spot of China). This cave site at the old airfield remains the only place in China one can visit and still envision what the airfield was like during WW II." |
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Walk to the Cave
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Cave Entrance
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Mountain Carving
outside Cave |
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Cave Inscription
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Airfield
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Airfield
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Airfield
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Peasant who built Airfield
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Chennault Rock
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Media
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