Comments on: China’s Wings events in March and April, 2012

By: Gregory

Gregory — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:10:48 +0000

In reply to Lyra Bengtson. That's a great idea, Lyra. Thanks for kicking it along. And very great to hear that Don is stumping for China's Wings. :-)

By: Lyra Bengtson

Lyra Bengtson — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:25:03 +0000

My distant cousin, Donald Chan told me about your book. My husband and I just got back from a visit to the Pacific War Museum in Fredericksburg TX. I did not see your book there. I think that would be the perfect venue for your book. Perhaps you could see if they wanted to stock your title?

By: Gregory

Gregory — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:08:14 +0000

In reply to Gordon Green. Of course I remember you, Gordon! We talked for ages at the Climber's Ranch that season. Very glad to hear that you enjoyed China's Wings. Be sure to point out to your brother the strong connection between CNAC and Fedex that's explained in the footnote on page 389. Thanks for checking in, GC

By: Gordon Green

Gordon Green — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:29:59 +0000

Greg:
Don’t know if you remember me, I met you at the GTCR a couple of summers ago. Anyway, just finished China’s Wings this afternoon and throughly enjoyed it. I was familiar with parts of the history of this time period, but your book filled in a lot of “holes” in my knowledge and added a lot of color to the period.

I have a brother-in-law who was a Navy pilot during Vietnam, spent 20 years with Eastern Airlines before it’s demise and has spent the last 18 years or so with Federal Express. Although in a different era with modern equipment and more regulations, he shares a common flying experience as many of the people in your book. I’m going to buy a copy of China’s Wings for him.

Best regards, Gordon

By: Gregory

Gregory — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 17:47:17 +0000

In reply to charles meinert. Dear Charles, I interveiewed Elizabeth "Bo" Bixby when I was writing China's Wings. She was delightful! I was under the impression that she'd passed away since then, however. She was a really lively interview, full of perky details. Thanks, GC

By: charles meinert

charles meinert — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 14:29:51 +0000

I have information about the Bixby family – one of the 4 daughters is still alive!

By: Tom Moore

Tom Moore — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:47:19 +0000

In reply to Tom Moore.

Oops – my e-mail address is pepperbud@dc.rr.com my phone number in Rancho Mirage, California is 760-832-8213

By: Tom Moore

Tom Moore — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:46:12 +0000

In reply to Gregory.

Susan – If you and I are not connected, please drop me a note and tell me more about your father – and I’d love to connect you toother sons and daughters of CNAC p;ilots and employees.

Thanks,

Tom

By: Gregory

Gregory — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:03:50 +0000

In reply to Susan. Thanks for checking in, Susan, and for sharing your connection to China's Wings and CNAC. What was your father's name? There are many second-generation hump pilots involved in the CNAC association. Are you hooked up with the group? If not, perhaps best contacted through Tom Moore at cnac.org. Hope you like China's Wings. Best, GC

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 02:07:33 +0000

Greg, my father was one of the pilots you chronicle in your book. I was born in Shanghai in 1947, at which point he was flying for CNAC, having flown the hump in the China India Burma (CIB) theater in the Army Air Corps. He had an interesting experience with CNAC when, on take-off, the engine of a passenger plane he was piloting caught fire; the plane was filled with passengers. His Chinese co-pilot fainted from fright, and he was on his own. He landed the plane safely, and was awarded something by the Chinese government. Despite this, he talked little about these experiences, and your book will fill in a lot of detail for my family. I look forward to reading it!

He died in 1996 at the age of 81. I’d love to hear from the children of other pilots who flew the hump.
Susan