Resulting from a shortage of male pilots in World War II, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program was created in August 1943, made up of female civilian pilots serving under military command. These women pilots were used to fly planes within the US, to free up male combat pilots for overseas duty. They had the privileges of officers, but were never formally adopted into the Army Air Force (AAF) even though they had been led to believe this would happen. They remained civil service employees without injury or death benefits. Several attempts to militarize the WASPs failed. However, in November 1977, president Carter signed a bill granting WWII veterans’ status for former WASPs.
Photos of WASPs during World War II:
WASPs on Runway in Laredo, Texas
WASPs Check A-25A Shrike Tow Schedule
Three WASPs Check Flight Plan Before Tow Mission
WASP Pilots an A25-A on Tow Mission in Georgia
WASP Trainees and Their Instructor Pilot
WASP Pilots and Their B-29 Crew
WASP Pilots Leaving Their B-17 Flying Fortress
WASP Elizabeth Gardner Looks Out from Cockpit
WASP on Flightline with P-47 at Tyndall Field
WASP Pilot Prepares Plane for Ferry Flight
WASP Pilot Cornelia Fort with her PT-19A Plane
WAFS Founder Nancy Harkness Love
Young Widow Leaves Disney Job to Join WASP Program
WASP Pilot Climbs Into a P-38 Aircraft
Ferry Pilot Warms Up Her P-51
WAFS Ferry Pilots During World War II
Nancy Love Checks Out Her B-17
General Inspects the WASP Troops
WASP Trainee Pilot on Cover of LIFE Magazine
WASP Pilots Ready to Fly
