Artifact Details
In 1950, the CIA purchased assets of Civil Air Transport, an airline that started in China after World War II, in order to conduct covert operations in Asia.
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 lighter is from the Hong Kong-to-Bangkok inaugural flight of Civil Air Transport on 20 July 1957.
Artifact Specs
5.5 cm x 4.3 cm x 1cm
(L x W x H)
Additional Photos
Learn More
CIA Air Operations in Laos, 1955-1974: Supporting the “Secret War”