__________

CHINA AIRLINES

français english

Caravelle IIIR B-1850 (photo by Lee Cheng) The picture was taken at TSA, Taipei's down town airport. It was then the only airport in Taipei and was used for both Internation and domestic. It is now a domestic only airport. Before international operations were moved to the present day Chiang Kai Shek International Airport in nearby Taoyuan (50 Km away), the TPE code was used for Shung Shan Airport. The ROCAF also based their VIP fleet there.

China Airlines purchased in 1971 two Caravelles from Swissair (B-1850 and B-1852). At that time China Airlines was flying B707's and B727's on their international routes. The Caravelles became the first jets to fly domestic routes in Taiwan. 
Sadly B-1852 was lost on the evening of 21th november 1971 on a flight between Taipei and Hong Kong. All 25 people onboard were killed. It exploded in mid-air.The official line on the probable cause was a bomb but some of my good friends in China Airlines told me personally that they suspected the accident was due to problem in pressurization on an old and tire fuselage.  I however found that a little questionable because at the time of accident the airframe was only 9 years old.

(Photos and text by Lee Cheng)

China Airlines Caravelles:

HOME HISTORY IMAGES C/N LIST AIRLINES LINKS EMAIL CONTRIBUTIONS