Some of the most highly trained women were WASPs, Women Airforce Service Pilots, who worked as civilians under the Army Air Forces.
Combat pilots were in great demand, and since women were not allowed to fight, they took over jobs in other areas, including flying transport planes. The men were trained in gunnery, and had military status. The WASPs completed the same basic and advanced courses and flight training as men, and earned a commercial pilot’s rating and military wings. They were rated to fly military planes, and they transported them between bases, or from factories to airfields around the country. Jeanne Robbins wrote the letter pictured here on stationary imprinted with the WASP mascot, a female gremlin with wings, known as Fifinella. |