1953
Terry and Hotshot get mixed up in a museum robbery when they allow a honey-voiced Southern belle to hitch a ride in their plane to Tanzan. Upon arriving, they learn that the first mate of a tramp steamer was murdered in the Air Cathay office and Chopstick Joe has been accused of the crime. The only clue is an almost worthless statue of Buddha typically sold to American tourists found in the possession of the dead seaman.
1953
Chopstick Joe agrees to ship a the earthly remains of one of Hong Kong's richest and most mysterious men. The coffin is hijacked from Terry's plane by Dragon Lady's goons and held for ransom, however, when it is revealed that the casket is empty, Air Cathay in general and Chopstick Joe in particular are held responsible.
1953
Chopstick Joe agrees to fly a disreputable passenger and a small bundle immediately to a distant air field - for a wad of cash. He doesn't count on Terry and Hotshot refusing to fly any more that night, even if he pays their back wages. The desperate passenger's pistol is much more persuasive and soon the pilots, the passenger and the precious bundle are flying deep into the jungle where they are forced down by the Dragon Lady's fighter planes. They discover that their cargo is a young boy - the titular ruler of an embattled Chinese province with three groups of men eager to pay to possess the child - dead or alive.
1953
The Dragon Lady finds an unexpected dupe to smuggle emeralds into Hong Kong when Martha Witherspoon comes to house and requests her special brand of tea. When D.L. learns that she plans to fly out of Tanzan on Air Cathay, she hides the jewels in the can of tea. Chopstick Joe's curiosity gets the better of him and he discovers the jewels; unfortunately, a jewel thief discovers him discovering the gems and relieves Joe of the emeralds. Now the Dragon Lady is in a murderous mood and its up to Terry and Hotshot to find the gems before D.L. exacts her revenge on their employer.
1953
Terry and Hotshot come the aid of a young Chinese woman who wishes to book passage on an Air Cathay flight on credit. She has come to Tanzan to persuade her fiancée to return to her province, but the young man, an up-and-coming boxer is reluctant to do so because the crooked promoter is holding his winnings due to the contract that he unwittingly signed. When Terry tries to help, the promoter's goons flex their muscles against Terry's face.
1953
Terry and Hotshot unknowingly deliver cases of stolen plastic explosives disguised as sausage to a bandit gang hiding in the jungle and are promptly imprisoned. Terry decides to use Hotshot as human shield since his co-pilot believes he dined on the Compound C-3, making him a walking bomb that's ready to explode.
1953
Burma, attempting to earn a job as a reporter, stumbles onto one of the Dragon Lady's schemes and stows away on Terry's plane while fleeing her henchmen. Terry and Hotshot try to help their blonde friend by notifying the authorities of the plot to assassinate a visiting maharajah, but are captured before they can report the plot. Now they must escape the Dragon Lady's gilded prison before the potentate comes to harm.