Woman ATA Pilot and Beaufighter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Oxenfforrdde
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Hmmm
Walter, have you looked at the Military aircrew forum on here.
There's a whole thread there that'll be pleased to hear your stories !!
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...-ww11-103.html
Walter, have you looked at the Military aircrew forum on here.
There's a whole thread there that'll be pleased to hear your stories !!
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...-ww11-103.html
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Australia
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Thanks Dan. I take that as a compliment because I feel proud to be a part of history. I'm going browsing to see where I can butt in and contribute something interesting from time to time.
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Join Date: Apr 1998
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Good on you Walter, this is why I started this forum in the first place so, as Dan says it gives us more and anecdote's - so much the better. My favorite films of the Beau is when they were doing ground attacks and shipping attacks. They look the part in the hands of skilled pilot.
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Join Date: Apr 1998
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BEags, I thought I had remembered that Lettice Curtis had, when I was lucky enough to meet her at White Waltham in '77, told me she flew the Beau along with Mosquito and I thought I was onto the said display, something that this very fine lady was good at, but alas no.
However, I was delighted to see when I did a quick search on big G that he book is there, page by page, picture by picture for all to see. It seems the whole book is there.
Here is the url. Lettice Curtis: her autobiography - Google Books
However, I was delighted to see when I did a quick search on big G that he book is there, page by page, picture by picture for all to see. It seems the whole book is there.
Here is the url. Lettice Curtis: her autobiography - Google Books
As a brief aside hasn't the '...and when it taxied to a halt out stepped a petite female ferry pilot..' story been told of other difficult aircraft such as the B-26 and such?
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Reading a book at present in which the petite lady with lovely curly hair is mentioned twice on one page.
First time she stepped out of a Spitfire, and a couple of days later out of a Halifax.
First time she stepped out of a Spitfire, and a couple of days later out of a Halifax.
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Join Date: Apr 1998
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Good book, eh Henry?
On the day I met her, there was a Spitfire at WW and I asked her if she would fly it 'now' if she had the chance - with a wink she said "I think I could do that" - I bet she would have too. A lovely lady sadly now gone.
One thing I did want to ask her, but dare not. Why did your parents call you Lettice? I have never heard that name before or since.
On the day I met her, there was a Spitfire at WW and I asked her if she would fly it 'now' if she had the chance - with a wink she said "I think I could do that" - I bet she would have too. A lovely lady sadly now gone.
One thing I did want to ask her, but dare not. Why did your parents call you Lettice? I have never heard that name before or since.
Join Date: Dec 2009
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It may be of interest that Australia had three women pilots in the ATA.
Mardi Gething (was Gepp, and flew on a UK Lic.) was recorded as the only one, but there was a Victoria Cholmondely (sp?) from South Australia (Lic.No.332 1929), plus Jennie Broad (later held Lic.No.6837) who flew on both UK and SthAfrican Licences. Jennie settled on Norfolk Island in later years; she was English born but considered Australian.
My book is to be launched, December 5th, 2010 the 101st Anniversary of Florence Taylor's 1909 flight. It features 100 bios of Australian women pilot "firsts", as a salute to the pioneers in the first 100 years 1909-2009. "First Females Above Australia", to be placed in school libraries, for I have not found any record previously published, of this history. It has been a fascinating year's work.
Mardi Gething (was Gepp, and flew on a UK Lic.) was recorded as the only one, but there was a Victoria Cholmondely (sp?) from South Australia (Lic.No.332 1929), plus Jennie Broad (later held Lic.No.6837) who flew on both UK and SthAfrican Licences. Jennie settled on Norfolk Island in later years; she was English born but considered Australian.
My book is to be launched, December 5th, 2010 the 101st Anniversary of Florence Taylor's 1909 flight. It features 100 bios of Australian women pilot "firsts", as a salute to the pioneers in the first 100 years 1909-2009. "First Females Above Australia", to be placed in school libraries, for I have not found any record previously published, of this history. It has been a fascinating year's work.
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Good luck with your book WG99.
You may be interested in, "The girls were up there too" Australian women in aviation put out by Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra 1986.
ISBN 0 644 04154 4
It is one of a series of historical publications perpared by the Dept. of Aviation
You may be interested in, "The girls were up there too" Australian women in aviation put out by Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra 1986.
ISBN 0 644 04154 4
It is one of a series of historical publications perpared by the Dept. of Aviation
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Many thanks for that info, Brianf127.
I managed to find a copy in rare books on eBay, while I was researching.
Has a few minor errors, for it was partly researched from Margaret Kentley's unpublished/unedited manuscript, "The Pilot Sometimes Wears a Skirt".
Yes, the Dept of Aviation commissioned that history, by Sheila Mann 1986, but they wouldn't come to the financial party again ... pity ... for so much water under the bridge by 2009 (or air above the bridge?), first one hundred years.
However, the State NSW Library did commission a book in 1991, paying $10,000 up front, which does not appear to have been written??? Was to be called "With Spirit & Dash".
Thanks for being in touch. Will let you know of my Book Launch in Sydney if you are interested?
I managed to find a copy in rare books on eBay, while I was researching.
Has a few minor errors, for it was partly researched from Margaret Kentley's unpublished/unedited manuscript, "The Pilot Sometimes Wears a Skirt".
Yes, the Dept of Aviation commissioned that history, by Sheila Mann 1986, but they wouldn't come to the financial party again ... pity ... for so much water under the bridge by 2009 (or air above the bridge?), first one hundred years.
However, the State NSW Library did commission a book in 1991, paying $10,000 up front, which does not appear to have been written??? Was to be called "With Spirit & Dash".
Thanks for being in touch. Will let you know of my Book Launch in Sydney if you are interested?
