gwb123 Posted October 28, 2016 Share #1 Posted October 28, 2016 Here are photos of the WASP display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton Ohio. Before there were the WASPs, there were two organizations raised to recruit female pilots in 1942. One was the Women's Flying Training Detachment, and the other was the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. They were blended together in 1943 to form the Women's Army Service Pilot's. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_Airforce_Service_Pilots I'd actually never seen one of these uniforms or the rocker before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted October 28, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted October 28, 2016 WASP service uniform. Note the white thread stitching. The wing is inscribed "W4, 318th." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted October 28, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted October 28, 2016 A rather weary looking pilot wearing a blue flight suit, red scarf, blue knit cap along with headset and map clipboard at the ready. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted October 28, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted October 28, 2016 And the famous Fifinella as seen on this flight jacket. A short history of this insignia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifinella Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted October 28, 2016 Author Share #5 Posted October 28, 2016 Per Wikipedia: "The female pilots of the WASP ended up numbering 1,074, each freeing a male pilot for combat service and duties. They flew over 60 million miles in every type of military aircraft.[2] The WASP was granted veteran status in 1977, and given the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009." Here is a depiction of a WASP pilot preparing to fly the museum's AT-10. The USAF Museum has over 300 aircraft, but dozens of small displays like this one that tell the story of the people who flew and serviced them. For more information, please see the following website from the USAF Museum. http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/MuseumExhibits/FactSheets/Display/tabid/509/Article/196133/wasp-breaking-ground-for-todays-female-usaf-pilots.aspx In addition to the USAF Museum display, here is the website for the WASP Museum, Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas. http://waspmuseum.org/ And and online slideshow and traveling exhibit: http://www.wingsacrossamerica.org/wasp-on-the-web.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy92 Posted October 28, 2016 Share #6 Posted October 28, 2016 Hi from France Great displays ... when I see this I beanie allows me to make a comparison with mine in red wool Anybody knows more about these unusual headgear ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintageproductions Posted October 28, 2016 Share #7 Posted October 28, 2016 The blue ones were only issued to WASPs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted October 29, 2016 Author Share #8 Posted October 29, 2016 Clearer photos of the knit cap. It is unusual to see it in blue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintageproductions Posted October 29, 2016 Share #9 Posted October 29, 2016 Here's my blue knit cap http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/231858-wasp-headgear/?hl=wasp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted October 30, 2016 Share #10 Posted October 30, 2016 Nice stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted October 30, 2016 Share #11 Posted October 30, 2016 Great pictures. I LOVE anything to do with the WASPS. Thanks for posting....Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now