Spitfire Women - The ATA in WW11
Spitfire Women
777boyo/Old-Duffer.
>>>> Does anyone know if there is a Memorial anywhere in UK to the ATA guys/girls, and if so, where? <<<<
As O-D correctly says, Maidenhead, but specifically at White Waltham airfield. It's under a tree in a quiet, grassed area behind the Ops. Block of the West London Aero Club. It was dedicated, IIRC, in about 2006.
Just as a matter of interest, the West London Aero Club was originally formed in 1946 by the ATA members of No.1.Ferry Pool, WW, which was of course the final HQ of the ATA. WLAC's first CFI was Flt.Capt. Joan Hughes, one of the first ladies to be taken on by the organisation. Joan passed away in 1993.
>>>> Does anyone know if there is a Memorial anywhere in UK to the ATA guys/girls, and if so, where? <<<<
As O-D correctly says, Maidenhead, but specifically at White Waltham airfield. It's under a tree in a quiet, grassed area behind the Ops. Block of the West London Aero Club. It was dedicated, IIRC, in about 2006.
Just as a matter of interest, the West London Aero Club was originally formed in 1946 by the ATA members of No.1.Ferry Pool, WW, which was of course the final HQ of the ATA. WLAC's first CFI was Flt.Capt. Joan Hughes, one of the first ladies to be taken on by the organisation. Joan passed away in 1993.
There is a museum at Maidenhead which has been getting into its stride recently:
Visitor information for visiting Grandma Flew Spitfires at Maidenhead Heritage Centre
I would recommend the book by Giles Whittell (who was featured prominently in the TV doc), which is actually called "Spitfire Women".
Not sure I agree with Training Risky re Lettice Curtis. I met her a couple of times a few years back, and she had long had a reputation for being aloof. In Whittell's book he quotes Naomi Allen, another ATA girl, who recorded a conversation with Curtis. She (Allen) was going to see Jim Mollison (Amy Johnson's estranged husband), and Curtis said "Oh, give him my hate will you?" !! I get the impression Curtis was a perfectionist, and did not suffer fools gladly. She is still with us.
A week or two back I had the pleasure of a meeting with another ATA pilot, and she was utterly charming. They worked like hell in the war, but clearly found their job (mostly) very enthralling. What a bunch!
Visitor information for visiting Grandma Flew Spitfires at Maidenhead Heritage Centre
I would recommend the book by Giles Whittell (who was featured prominently in the TV doc), which is actually called "Spitfire Women".
Not sure I agree with Training Risky re Lettice Curtis. I met her a couple of times a few years back, and she had long had a reputation for being aloof. In Whittell's book he quotes Naomi Allen, another ATA girl, who recorded a conversation with Curtis. She (Allen) was going to see Jim Mollison (Amy Johnson's estranged husband), and Curtis said "Oh, give him my hate will you?" !! I get the impression Curtis was a perfectionist, and did not suffer fools gladly. She is still with us.
A week or two back I had the pleasure of a meeting with another ATA pilot, and she was utterly charming. They worked like hell in the war, but clearly found their job (mostly) very enthralling. What a bunch!
Gentleman Aviator
The weak link now is undoubtedly the politicians,
