?? Wasps flew Hurricanes and Spits??

"Ed Majden" wrote in message news:hM%Eb.760563$6C4.347245@pd7tw1no...
"Cub Driver"
I find that hard to believe. Anyone know if the WASPS flew Huricanes
and Spits? If so, what were the circumstances?

There was a TV program on this very topic commemorating their service in
the ATA and the WASPS. These talented women flew nearly everything on
inventory from heavy bombers, trainers, to the latest fighters of that time.
In the beginning ground crews where often shocked to see a wisp of a woman
climb out of a heavy bomber when it was delivered to an active base. They
often waited for the expected male pilot to climb out of the aircraft but
there was none. According to this TV program a memorial has been set up in
England commemorating the personnel of the ATA that lost their lives doing
this important work.


Of course they flew all kinds of aircraft including the Spitfi

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2..._20003231.html

While researching this topic I also came across the story of Roberta
Cowell (a.k.a. Robert Cowell, Spitfire pilot) which is bizarre but
true:

http://www.transgenderzone.com/featu...rta_cowell.htm

In modern times, Carolyn Grace is also the world's only certified
female Spitfire pilot:

http://www.ukwarbirds.fsnet.co.uk/op...20%20grace.htm

Ashton Archer III

While researching this topic I also came across the story of Roberta
Cowell (a.k.a. Robert Cowell, Spitfire pilot) which is bizarre but
true:

http://www.transgenderzone.com/featu...rta_cowell.htm

Absolutely fascinating story. Does anyone know how many kills she/he
had during the war?

Ian

Does anyone know how many kills she/he
had during the war?

If Cowell existed, she evidently wasn't credited with as many as five,
since no such person is listed in Aces High.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email:

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com

Ashton Archer III wrote:

"Ed Majden" wrote in message news:hM%Eb.760563$6C4.347245@pd7tw1no...
"Cub Driver"
I find that hard to believe. Anyone know if the WASPS flew Huricanes
and Spits? If so, what were the circumstances?

There was a TV program on this very topic commemorating their service in
the ATA and the WASPS. These talented women flew nearly everything on
inventory from heavy bombers, trainers, to the latest fighters of that time.
In the beginning ground crews where often shocked to see a wisp of a woman
climb out of a heavy bomber when it was delivered to an active base. They
often waited for the expected male pilot to climb out of the aircraft but
there was none. According to this TV program a memorial has been set up in
England commemorating the personnel of the ATA that lost their lives doing
this important work.

Of course they flew all kinds of aircraft including the Spitfi

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2..._20003231.html

While researching this topic I also came across the story of Roberta
Cowell (a.k.a. Robert Cowell, Spitfire pilot) which is bizarre but
true:

http://www.transgenderzone.com/featu...rta_cowell.htm

In modern times, Carolyn Grace is also the world's only certified
female Spitfire pilot:

http://www.ukwarbirds.fsnet.co.uk/op...20%20grace.htm

Ashton Archer III

The USAF is way ahead of you Brits. I read a biography of
the WWI US Air Service Medal of Honor winner Frank Luke that
mentioned how he loved to go to bars dressed like a woman.
Luke Air Force Base in Arizona is named after him.

Joe


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The USAF is way ahead of you Brits. I read a biography of
the WWI US Air Service Medal of Honor winner Frank Luke that
mentioned how he loved to go to bars dressed like a woman.
Luke Air Force Base in Arizona is named after him.

Joe

How ironic too that the first US transsexual was Christine Jorgensen,
a former G.I. from the Bronx!!!
IIRC, he served post-WW2 though... Cowell was a Spitfire pilot and
POW.

Rob

p.s. Cowell's autobiography is OOP but still can be obtained from
www.bookfinder.com for a small fee. Jorgensen's book was reprinted in
2000 (ISBN 1573441007) and available.
I read Cowell's book which is fairly interesting, especially the
period in the R.A.F. Still, there is no documentation provided of
Cowell's record in Spits aside from his own memory and a few photos of
his military I.D and POW card. Sad too that as a woman Cowell lost all
interest in both flying and racing cars.

In message , Ashton
Archer III writes
"Ed Majden" wrote in message
news:hM%Eb.760563$6C4.347245@pd7tw1no...
"Cub Driver"
I find that hard to believe. Anyone know if the WASPS flew Huricanes
and Spits? If so, what were the circumstances?

There was a TV program on this very topic commemorating their service in
the ATA and the WASPS. These talented women flew nearly everything on
inventory from heavy bombers, trainers, to the latest fighters of that time.
In the beginning ground crews where often shocked to see a wisp of a woman
climb out of a heavy bomber when it was delivered to an active base. They
often waited for the expected male pilot to climb out of the aircraft but
there was none. According to this TV program a memorial has been set up in
England commemorating the personnel of the ATA that lost their lives doing
this important work.


Of course they flew all kinds of aircraft including the Spitfi

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2..._20003231.html

While researching this topic I also came across the story of Roberta
Cowell (a.k.a. Robert Cowell, Spitfire pilot) which is bizarre but
true:

http://www.transgenderzone.com/featu...rta_cowell.htm

In modern times, Carolyn Grace is also the world's only certified
female Spitfire pilot:

http://www.ukwarbirds.fsnet.co.uk/op...20%20grace.htm

Picture of her and her 2-seater Spitfire trainer in the latest
'Fly-Past'.

Mike
--
M.J.Powell