Spitfire Women
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Spitfire Women
Anybody else enjoy this on BBC (repeated last night)?
This was about women pilots who delivered new a/c in WWII.
Some highlights
- woman pilot who climbed out of a bomber and was asked where the pilot was. They didn't believe her and searched the plane to find the "real" pilot
- two planes landing on the same runway at the same time in opposite directions
- many were stunningly beautiful
- a dog fight between two woman pilots jostling for position on final.
- the book which they carried with operating instructions for many different types of aircraft. This they carried for easy reference in the air.
This was about women pilots who delivered new a/c in WWII.
Some highlights
- woman pilot who climbed out of a bomber and was asked where the pilot was. They didn't believe her and searched the plane to find the "real" pilot
- two planes landing on the same runway at the same time in opposite directions
- many were stunningly beautiful
- a dog fight between two woman pilots jostling for position on final.
- the book which they carried with operating instructions for many different types of aircraft. This they carried for easy reference in the air.
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Women pilots
Yes,I've seen it twice.
As you say,absolutley amazing stuff for anyone of either sex.
I think the way they chopped from different aircraft often on the same day is hard to believe.
And then went out on the town in the evenings.
Stunning stories,stunning women
Lister
As you say,absolutley amazing stuff for anyone of either sex.
I think the way they chopped from different aircraft often on the same day is hard to believe.
And then went out on the town in the evenings.
Stunning stories,stunning women
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Amazing program, it also reminded me how sad current society is with elf-and-safety fascists in every corner, including flying clubs with ridiculous rules around currency, forcing members to wear high-vis and other silly rules that try to make our fascinating hobby into something dull and boring.
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Many years ago the Breckland Strut (or maybe it was the Tibenham Glider Club?) had one of these ladies give a talk at a club meeting. I can't remember her name, but I think she lived locally. As has been said above they were all amazing people, and when she finished recounting her experiences and got her logbook out for all to peruse, many people went very quiet.....It was basically a list of pretty well anything the RAF posessed, from single engined aircraft to Lancasters.
Very Humbling.
Very Humbling.
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I had the great privilege of flying Joy Lofthouse to Project Propellor at East Kirby and she very kindly lent me her signed copy of Lettice Curtis' book.
Despite failing eyesight she happily threw my PA28 at final approach to Kemble, though I felt it necessary to handle the touch down
Remarkable story of remarkable women and it didn't come out that Joy's sister (now resident in the USA) was also an ATA pilot at Cosford, the only sisters involved.
Despite failing eyesight she happily threw my PA28 at final approach to Kemble, though I felt it necessary to handle the touch down
Remarkable story of remarkable women and it didn't come out that Joy's sister (now resident in the USA) was also an ATA pilot at Cosford, the only sisters involved.
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I and my daughter have had the pleasure of meeting Mary Ellis, who featured in the programme. We met her at Sandown where she used to run the Pleasure Flights, I understand she also used to run the field.
Someone suggested we should ask her what was her favourite aeroplane. The reply? "Well the Spitfire is very nice, but I think I preferred flying the Wellington."
She's an elegant and delightful lady.
Someone suggested we should ask her what was her favourite aeroplane. The reply? "Well the Spitfire is very nice, but I think I preferred flying the Wellington."
She's an elegant and delightful lady.
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Amazing program, it also reminded me how sad current society is with elf-and-safety fascists in every corner, including flying clubs with ridiculous rules around currency, forcing members to wear high-vis and other silly rules that try to make our fascinating hobby into something dull and boring.
Apropos the mentioned handling notes, I was lent a copy to photocopy 15 years ago and it covers essential feeds & speeds of all possible a/c types.
I too was privileged to fly with one of these ladies, Mrs. Mary Villiers when she was 75 in September 1994. She had been a 2nd Officer in the ATA 1941-45 and had ~2,000 hours on all types. For her first piloting time in 40 years she easily took control of a (light) a/c for 20 minutes.
mike.
I too was privileged to fly with one of these ladies, Mrs. Mary Villiers when she was 75 in September 1994. She had been a 2nd Officer in the ATA 1941-45 and had ~2,000 hours on all types. For her first piloting time in 40 years she easily took control of a (light) a/c for 20 minutes.
mike.
A splendid programme.
My grandfather, a Sergeant Fitter at Odiham in the latter part of WW2, used to tell the tale of an ATA lady who delivered a new aircraft( possibly an Oxford?) to them from a factory "up north".
Upon landing, she stated that it had been "running rough" for the entire flight. On inspection, it transpired that the nuts securing the propellors were loose, and could be turned by hand!
Unperturbed by this event, the lady was soon on her way back to base, ready for her next assignment....
My grandfather, a Sergeant Fitter at Odiham in the latter part of WW2, used to tell the tale of an ATA lady who delivered a new aircraft( possibly an Oxford?) to them from a factory "up north".
Upon landing, she stated that it had been "running rough" for the entire flight. On inspection, it transpired that the nuts securing the propellors were loose, and could be turned by hand!
Unperturbed by this event, the lady was soon on her way back to base, ready for her next assignment....
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A measure of just how good this programme was that my wife came in after 5 minutes, and sat mesmerized until the end of the programme, and she is not an 'aeroplane person'. Fabulous television.
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Spitfire Women
An excellent programme, I think a more demanding task than delivering single engined fighters, where a force landing in a field could probably have been successfully accomplished, was delivering heavy bombers that would have been far worse, and this was carried out by some very small women, when I at 5ft -6 and 8 stone had trouble flying Oxfords.
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On this side of the pond, the women of the WASP program served similarly. My father was an instructor at Sweetwater, Texas 1943-44.
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Mary Ellis still lives close by to Sandown airport, a superb display overhead the field by Dan Griffiths in visiting Spit TA805, last week brought her around.
Sat her in the cockpit, a golden moment. Hard to express the admiration felt, sort of brings a tear to your eye...what a gal!
Sat her in the cockpit, a golden moment. Hard to express the admiration felt, sort of brings a tear to your eye...what a gal!