American Women Who Flew For the ATA

[Dogsbody]

What a great thread about some amazing ladies. I never knew about them until now. Thanks!

 

Rene

[bobgee]

+ 1

[cutiger83]

Many of you have heard of Jackie Cochran but did you know she was the first woman to fly a bomber across the Atlantic?

 

Before the United States joined WWII, Cochran was part of "Wings for Britain", an organization that ferried American built aircraft to Britain, becoming the first woman to fly a bomber (a Lockheed Hudson V) across the Atlantic. In Britain, she volunteered her services to the Royal Air Force. For several months, she worked for the British Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), recruiting qualified women pilots in the United States and taking them to England where they joined the ATA. Cochran attained the rank of Flight Captain in the ATA.

 

Here she is in her ATA uniform.

 

[cutiger83]

Thanks everyone for the kind words about this thread. It is interesting researching each of these amazing women.

 

....Kat

[willysmb44]

Just when you think you've read it all.

thanks, great info of something I never knew of!

[cutiger83]

Virginia Farr was from New Jersey. She served with the ATA from the beginning thru June 1945. Here is a picture from a New York Times article from 1942. The caption said she was putting on her parachute prior to climbing into her Spitfire.

 

[Gary B]

Great thread, Kat! I think you have the groundwork for a great and inspiring book here!

 

Gary B

[BEAST]

Well done Kat!

[cw1979]

 

 

It is in "Americans in Foreign Service". It was moved there last week by Garth.

Odd, I still see it under Decorations. Perhaps it is my computer.

[skypilot6670]

Great posts , thanks to all. Pioneers all , in the truest sence of the word. No modern navigation to speak of , no autopilots no weather radar and the possibility of meeting a skilled and determined enemy while in flight.These ladies earned and deserve our respect.