WASPs: Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II.

WILLIAMS, Vera S.

Item Number: 146940

Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International Publishers & Wholesalers, 1994.

First edition of this tribute to the “fly girls” of the forties. Square quarto, original cloth, frontispiece of the WASP’s mascot, Walt Disney’s Fifinella, illustrated with more than 150 photographs throughout. Signed on the opposite of the front free endpaper by “Kathleen McNally A. H. F. H. A.” and nine other Air Force pilots on the frontispiece page: “Ethel Meyer Finley WASP 43-5,” “Shutsey Reynolds 44-5,” “Scotty Bradley Gough 44-7,” “Elaine Danforth Harman 44-9,” “Bernice ‘Bee’ Falk Haydu 44-7,” “Bob Layher Pilot – 2nd Sqd A.V.G.,” “‘Tex’ Hill Sqd. Ldr. 2nd Sqd. A. V. G.,” “Boots Blesse 10 Victories, Korea,” and “Charlie Mott 2nd Sqd. AVG.” Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Rare and desirable with this collection of signatures.

The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was a civilian women pilots' organization developed with the purpose of freeing male pilots for combat roles during World War II. Out of twenty-five thousand women who applied, only 1,830 were accepted for training, and 1,074 won their wings. Together, they flew over 60 million miles, transported every type of military aircraft, towed targets for live anti-aircraft gun practice, simulated strafing missions, and transported cargo. In 1977, for their service in the war, the members were granted veteran status, and in 2009 awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. "The WASPs proved women could do it. They flew through snow and dark and menstrual periods. They flew planes as fast and as far as the men (but safer!)" (Vera S. Williams).