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Republic of China Air Force Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team

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Republic of China Air Force
Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team
Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team patch
Active1953 – present
Country Taiwan (Republic of China)
Branch Republic of China Air Force
RoleAerobatic flight demonstration team
Garrison/HQKangshan Air Base
Aircraft flown
FighterAIDC AT-3B (two seat)

The Republic of China Air Force Thunder Tigers Aerobatics Team (Chinese: 中華民國空軍雷虎特技小組) was founded in 1953 and is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China Air Force.

History

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Six AT-3B Thunder Tigers in arrow formation flight over Hualien Air Base, 2016

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 [zh] 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] The Thunder Tigers flew at Chuang's funeral in November 2014,[9] but did not perform at unofficial public events until November 2016.[10][11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Air Force aerobatic team puts on show to celebrate 60th anniversary". 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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