Ex-fighter pilot Ly Tong, who hijacked Vietnam Airlines plane with plastic knife and coat hanger before parachuting into swamp, dies at 74

Ly Tong, the former fighter pilot known as the “Vietnamese James Bond” for his daring stunts – including hijacking a plane to drop 50,000 political leaflets over his homeland, calling on citizens to overthrow the communist government – has died in San Diego. He was 74.Last month, Tong was hospitalised and doctors diagnosed him with lung disease.He slipped into a coma on March 21, with his stay at Sharp Memorial Hospital drawing hundreds of visitors, some of whom called him a hero for his…