Women Airforce Service
Pilots
(WASPs)
"We
lived in the wind and sand with our eyes on the stars"
- Women Airforce Service Pilots
WASP Pilot Violet Thurn Cowden
How big do you have to be to fly a P-51? Obviously, at least 5'2' and 100 pounds! In addition to the P-51 pictured with Pilot Cowden, she also flew the P-39, P-40, P-47, and P-63 during World War II. Margaret Gee, a Physicist, attended a later class and flew the Stearman and AT-6.
The WASP were the first women military pilots to serve the United States Army Air Force during World War II. Almost 25,000 women applied to the WASP and 1830 were accepted.
They flew wartime missions within the United States. The WASP flew more than 60 million miles in 78 different types of military aircraft - from trainers to B-29 bombers.
At the time, women could not be commissioned pilots in the military and were governed by the Civil Service Commission. Thirty-eight women lost their lives and were not covered by government life insurance.
In 1979, the Secretary of the Air Force granted that long overdue recognition and veteran status to the WASP.
Below,
Vi Cowden's visit to Gompers Elementary and preflight of a Blackhawk Helicopter.
Click on an any photo to see larger image.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |