Paul Krumrei wrote:
I took the photo at Oshkosh this year with the help of some fine looking ladies, whom dressed the part of the WASP!
Don't forget the originals ... the WAFS (Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron), formed by Nancy Love (IIRC the name). The WASPs came later, when Jackie Cochran 'took over' the program courtesy of her buddy Hap Arnold, and the WAFS were folded into the new organization. I was acquainted with one of these pioneers, Nancy Batson (Crews). She was on the cover of AIR FORCE magazine sometime in 1944, and was a 'looker' for sure - back in the day. Her photo albums and scrapbooks were unbelieveable. Just chock full of history.
Her dad bought her an airplane(!) when she graduated High School, and she flew the heck out of it until the call came for the WAFS. Nancy had no problem meeting the time requirement. There were only 25 (28?, acc to some sources) WAFS pilots total. The first WASPs, as they later became.
Nancy flew all the fighters and some bombers IIRC. Her logbook is chock full of daily flights. I asked if she had ever fired the guns, and in her typical southern style, she said,
"Oh NO! We were to treat them like glass!"
Her favorite?
"I just loved those Mustangs!" So said in her energetic southern voice.
She and her comrades were VERY disappointed (wouldn't you be?) when Hap Arnold folded the program in Dec 1944.
Nancy, being very much a type A personality, went on to compete in the 99's Powder Puff races over many years, and for a while was even the Mayor of her adopted home town of ?? California. She was a plankowner in several women pilots organizations as well. She raised several kids on top of all that.
When I knew her, over several years at the Southern Museum of Flight at B'ham, AL, Nancy was a regular visitor and was much sought out by authors and film makers. She ofter met them at the museum. I personally supervised the layout of her 'display case' in the museum, and she loved showing people the display and explaining who the WAFS were once they saw the patch on her jacket sleeve. I just loved going through her items, which we finally got her to donate ... you can see her stuff at the museum today.
Her last ride was a nice Piper Cub ... the family later kept it at our museum until they sold it. What a sad day when the new owner arrived to fly it home.
She passed away quite quickly after being diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. Her last accomplishments were as a speaker in the USAF Museum's "Eagles" program one time (she was so proud of the little Eagle head trophy they gave her), and then her election to the AL Aviation Hall of Fame. So glad I got to hang out with a real legend and pioneer - not to mention one of the most active 80 year olds you'll ever meet. I hope I have half her energy when I hit the big 8-0.
Cheers, Nancy, and all those intrepid, and lucky as hell (as they will tell you) females! Blue skies!
EDIT: Cool ... just Googled the WAFS, and I found Nancy ... along with that AF Magazine cover I mentioned - here:
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/history/wasp/wasp11.htm
Wade
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Oh well, I guess I still want to believe in the olden days.
