At the height of World War II, over 1000 women volunteered as civilian pilots in an experimental Army Air Forces program--the Women Airforce Service Pilots--better known as the WASP. Between 1942 and 1944 they towed targets, ferried planes, and served as test pilots, flying over 60 million miles in the United States in every type of military aircraft. They were awarded a Congressional Gold Medal for their service in 2010. During the war, the WASP adopted Fifinella - a female gremlin designed by Walt Disney - as their mascot. She was one of the characters for a proposed film based on ex-RAF pilot Roald Dahl’s book “The Gremlins.” You might be familiar with some his more famous works, such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” The movie was never made, however Fifinella remains the mascot of the WASPs to this day. Come learn more about women in aerospace as we celebrate “A Century of Women in Aerospace Family Day” at the Museum in DC this Saturday from 10am to 3pm: ow.ly/oRb7T Image Caption and Credit: Members of the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) are pictured at Lockbourne Army Air Field in World War II. From left to right are Frances Green, Margaret (Peg) Kirchner, Ann Waldner and Blanche Osborn. The WASP were civilian women pilots who flew in non-combat situations for the U.S. Army Air Forces during the war. The program came to an abrupt end in 1944 because of gender politics. Credit: National Air and Space Museum Archives, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
Posted on: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 15:11:45 +0000
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