|
rhondabrwn -> RE: What a woman!!!!!! (5/7/2015 11:49:25 AM)
|
America had its own female transport pilots, they were called the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) and they flew every plane in the US Arsenal from the factories to their loading points for shipment to the combat zones. That included the B-17, B-24, B-25, B=26, B-29... Mustangs, Corsair's, P-40 Warhawks, P-38 Lightnings, P-47 Thunderbolts etc etc etc
Fascinating story, but in many respects a sad tale of discrimination and ill treatment that is similar in many respects to the story of the Tuskegee Airmen who also faced obstacles. The WASP lost 38 pilots killed and the Army Air Corps wouldn't even pay to ship the bodies home! They received no official recognition for 30 years!
When I was teaching I had a great lesson plan that focused on the Japanese American 422 Regiment, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the WASP. The kids loved it and learned a lot about bigotry and discrimination. It was a great lesson for the girls in particular.
Here's their Wikipedia Entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_Airforce_Service_Pilots
One of my favorite photos
[image]local://upfiles/14190/81ABC3AD2D6B4735AE388444D6459291.jpg[/image]
|
|
|
|
