SIGNED BY 17 "FLYING TIGERS," INCLUDING NINE ACES

ROSHOLT, Malcom. Days of the Ching Pao. (Amherst, Wisconsin: Palmer Publications, 1978). Quarto, original red paper boards, original dust jacket. $2500.

First edition of this history of this "photographic record of the Flying Tigers-14th Air Force in China," signed by 17 of the Tigers, including nine aces.

Prior to the United States entry into World War II, approximately 15,000 Americans joined flying units already engaged in combat. At the request of Madame Chiang Kaishek, General Claire Lee Chennault recruited a squadron of fighter pilots in order to throw a small but well-equipped air force into China to attack Japanese supply lines. With the official designation "American Volunteer Group" (AVG) but popularly known as "The Flying Tigers," this celebrated group of pilots has been described as "the most colorful group of warriors in modern times" and "the world's most illustrious squadron" (History Channel).

Signed next to their photographs by Charlie Bond, Joe Rosbert, Dick Rossi, D.L. Rodewald, "Tex" Hill, Bob Keaton, Bob Layher, Charlie Mott, Ed Rector, Eric Shilling, "Duke" Hedman, R.T. Smith, Kim Jernstedt, C.H. Laughlin, Chuck Older, P.J. Green and Robert Raines. Of these, Rossi, Rector, R.T. Smith, Bond, Jernstedt, Rosbert, Hill, Hedman and Older were aces (more than five enemy planes shot down). Bond, an ace with 9-1/2 victories, was the first of the Flying Tigers to paint his Curtiss P-40 Warhawk with the shark mouth on the nose of his plane, an iconic decoration that would become characteristic of the Flying Tigers.

Fine condition.