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Artifacts

Civil Air Transport Bottle

Artifact Details

A brown translucent bottle with the Civil Air Transport label on it

In August 1950, the CIA secretly purchased the assets of Civil Air Transport (CAT), an airline that had been started in China after World War II by Gen. Claire L. Chennault and Whiting Willauer. CAT would continue to fly commercial routes throughout Asia, acting in every way as a privately owned commercial airline. At the same time, under the corporate guise of CAT Incorporated, it provided airplanes and crews for secret intelligence operations.

This Taiwan Tobacco and Wine Monopoly bottle contained medicinal wine (intended for a strong and healthy heart) that was served on some CAT flights.

Artifact Specs

7 cm x 5.5 cm

(H x Diameter)

Additional Photos

A worn label on the side of the bottle written in another language

Learn More

CIA Air Operations in Laos, 1955-1974: Supporting the “Secret War”

Recollections of a Case Officer in Laos, 1962-1964