Got inspired to make this topic after watching Expedition Unkown on Discovery. The episode was about WASP Pilot Gertrude Tompkins who went missing on a delivery flight/ferry flight in 1944, from Mines Field (Now part of LAX) to Newark in a P-51D Mustang.
Like all female pilots in the squadron she was qualified to fly many different types of aircrafts. P-51D Mustang, P-38 Lightning and P-54 Thunderbolt.
WASP pilots and a P-51
The WASPs
As the US entered World War II in December 1941, the military needed more pilots for domestic duties, such as flight-testing and ferrying aircraft, in order to send male combat pilots overseas to fight in Allied efforts in the European and Pacific theaters.
WASP was created and 1074 women graduated and got their silver wings. Training was held at Avenger Field (KSWW) Texas.
Requirements:
You had to hold a pilot licence, min. 500 hours flight time, have experience with cross country flying and pass health requirements.
WASP pilots had to go through the same training as male Airforce pilots but in a shorter period of time (27 weeks)
In addition they had to qualify on different types of aircraft unlike male Airforce pilots.
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By the end of 1944, the WASPs had ferried more than 12,000 planes in the US, including basic trainer planes, fighter planes, and bombers. WASP missions also included flight testing all types of military aircraft and target towing.
Interesting fact: In 1944 Male Airforce pilots refused to test the B-29 Superfortress thinking the mission was too dangerous. Two WASP pilots completed the mission and successfully piloted the bomber even while experienced an engine fire during flight.
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