Tony:
In the States they were called WASPS (Womens Air Service Pilots or almost) and flew production test, ferry, training and other missions to free up the guys to get shot at or go overseas to see what they could see.
Knew several in my younger days, they are gone now bless them, but it was hard for the young me to believe that that nice lady who lived next door flew P-47s and P-51s. But it was true, I saw her log book one day.
There was some higher profile publicity recently here on this having to do with veteran benefits and recognition for WASPS. Seems they were not legally considered to be military so did not get military recognition on their own after the war. This seemed a little illogical later on and there was some activity for a little recognition and some benfits for these ladies.