Flying Tigers / Polar / FedEx

[hawkeyeted]

OK, question for the masses:

I read that FedEx purchased Flying Tigers in 1989. However, I also found on the Net that Polar purchased FT in the "1990's". I tend to believe the latter because Polar has had 747-200F's with the registration "FT" (N922FT for one) .

So, which is it? Does FedEx or Polar own the rights to Flying Tigers?

[esurfman]

Maybe Polar purchased Flying Tigers from FedEx a few years after they themlselfs bought it. Just a taught.

[mlegein]

According to wikipedia, Fedex bought Flying Tigers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Tiger_Line

Maybe Polar bought some of the aircraft from Fedex?

[khelm]

I think both maybe right. You've got to remember, these merges, and buy outs can take years. maybe they started in 1989, but it was completed in 1990. Also, Polar, being an up and starting airline in the early 1990's (again a process that can take years) was probably there to suck the remains of FT that FDX didn't want.

[yoni63]

I had also heard that Polar bought out Flying Tigers. I was also advised somewhere along the line that the call sign "Polar-Tiger" was another indication of that merger/buy-out. Who knows these days....

Also, did you notice the "Polar" logo the circle with the P is similar to the flying tiger circle with a "T"?

[hawkeyeted]

According to wikipedia, Fedex bought Flying Tigers.

That's where I read that FedEx bought Flying Tigers.

I had also heard that Polar bought out Flying Tigers. I was also advised somewhere along the line that the call sign "Polar-Tiger" was another indication of that merger/buy-out. Who knows these days.... Also, did you notice the "Polar" logo the circle with the P is similar to the flying tiger circle with a "T"?

...which is why I believed that Polar had bought out Flying Tigers.

Perhaps FedEx bought out the company, but Polar bought the aircraft?

Inquiring minds want to know....

[DHG750R]

FedEx bought Tigers and merged in 89 if I remember correctly. Many of the founders of Polar were in fact ex-Tiger officials. The similarity of Polar to Flying Tigers is definitely intentional

[1691]

Polar was founded through private investors and some ex-Flying Tigers people, and used the original Southern Air certificate. Polar eventually took sole possesion of the certificate, and was its own entity, using the "FT" at the end of the tail #s as homage to the Flying Tigers Days. The only exception was the -400s, and 2 ex-FedEx -200s they had for a few months, which were sent back due to their lack of profitablity (pieces of junk). Here is N639FE. I remember this engine change quite well because it was a pain to remove. Greeting from my honeymoon in Aruba by the way...

[CaptVirtual]

Greeting from my honeymoon in Aruba by the way...

Allan,

Are you seriously reading the forums on your honeymoon? If so I commend your dedication to the VA and hobby, but man I'm surprised you are still married - strike that - alive! I'd probably avoid the temptation to perform a flight if I was you.


Congratulations and all the best to you both.

[DHG750R]

Polar was founded through private investors and some ex-Flying Tigers people, and used the original Southern Air certificate. Polar eventually took sole possesion of the certificate, and was its own entity, using the "FT" at the end of the tail #s as homage to the Flying Tigers Days. The only exception was the -400s, and 2 ex-FedEx -200s they had for a few months, which were sent back due to their lack of profitablity (pieces of junk). Here is N639FE. I remember this engine change quite well because it was a pain to remove. Greeting from my honeymoon in Aruba by the way...

Ahh yes the old -70A engines , not the best engine Pratt ever made. I rememeber 639 was widely disliked by all.

[1691]

Yeah, I remember that was an engine change due to the acoustic lining of the nose cowling (the intake) separating at 200 ft AGL during takeoff. The funny part is that a -70A engine was not available, so PW sent us a -59A, and we had to convert it on the ground. Turbine case cooling was the only major thing to add to the replacement engine. Anyhow, 2 months later, both N638 and N639 were returned, for obvious reasons.

[dave colavecchio]

Every Pratt and Whitney engine is a GREAT engine. Wait until you see the geared turbofan! Okay - I'm more than a little biased because I work for United Technologies- the parent company of Pratt.