Republic of China Air Force Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team

The Republic of China Air Force Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team was founded in 1953 and is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China Air Force.

History

The Republic of China Air Force Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team was established at Tainan Air Force Base in 1953.[1] At the time of its founding, most Thunder Tiger pilots lived in Tainan's Shueijiaoshe military compound.[2] Since 1993, the group has been based at the Republic of China Air Force Academy in Gangshan, Kaohsiung.[1] In the past, the team has flown a wide array of aircraft, including the F-84G Thunderjet, and F-86F Sabre, as well as light fighters in the Northrop F-5 family. They now fly the AT-3 developed by the Taiwan-based Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation in air shows.[3] To honor the Republic of China centenary in 2011, the Thunder Tigers participated in the largest flypast held in Taiwan.[4][5] In October 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Chuang Pei-yuan was involved in a fatal crash while flying an AT-3 owned by the Thunder Tigers on a routine training mission.[6][7] Team activities were suspended shortly after all AT-3 aircraft were grounded for inspection.[8] With the exception of Chuang's funeral in November 2014,[9] the Thunder Tigers did not perform after the grounding until November 2016.[10][11]

References

  1. 1 2 "Air Force aerobatic team puts on show to celebrate 60th anniversary". China Post. Central News Agency. 11 August 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  2. ↑ Kuo, Deborah (19 October 2009). "Memories live on of military villages". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  3. ↑ "Armed Forces Museum featuring Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team". China Post. Central News Agency. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  4. ↑ "Warplanes to conduct flypast". Taipei Times. Central News Agency. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  5. ↑ Chang, Rich (11 October 2011). "ROC 100: Warplanes highlight Taipei show". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  6. ↑ Pan, Jason (22 October 2014). "Air force pilot killed after planes collide". Taipei Times. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "Nation to upgrade training jets: minister". Taipei Times. Central News Agency. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  8. ↑ "Air force grounds all AT-3 aircraft after fatal crash". Taipei Times. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  9. ↑ "Pilots honor late colleague with funeral flyover tribute". Taipei Times. Central News Agency. 9 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  10. ↑ Chen, Wei-han (16 November 2016). "Thunder Tigers return to the skies". Taipei Times. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  11. ↑ "Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team perform at air show". Taipei Times. 27 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
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