|
Post by Gene Hunt on Jan 11, 2021 10:55:33 GMT
Extremely sad to hear that Eleanor Wadsworth, one of the last surviving "Spitfire Women" has passed away at the grand old age of 103. Though not a name many will recognise, this fine lady's efforts surely must be. Eleanor joined the Air Transport Auxiliary in 1943 at the age of 26, and went on to fly 22 different planes including the Spitfire (132 times) & Hurricane to the front line in WW2. No mean feat when she did this without any radio or instrument instructions. A remarkable woman. RIP Eleanor Wadsworth.
|
|
Three Litre
Producer
Oscar 24
Posts: 3,410
Online Status:
|
Post by Three Litre on Jan 11, 2021 12:20:58 GMT
Quite right, and I bet she suffered from sexism from some of the men. A few were lost to enemy fire while delivering I believe.
|
|
Cartman
Producer
Posts: 3,950
Online Status:
|
Post by Cartman on Jan 11, 2021 13:14:25 GMT
The ATA also were the first group of women to get equal pay with men
|
|
The Saint
Moderator
Swinging London - 1967
Posts: 5,408
Online Status:
|
Post by The Saint on Jan 11, 2021 14:17:07 GMT
As Gene says, a remarkable woman.
RIP Eleanor Wadsworth.
|
|
|
Post by Arthur Pringle on Jan 11, 2021 16:31:05 GMT
RIP Eleanor.
In my ignorance I wasn't even aware that women flew planes during the war.
|
|
|
Post by Sam Tyler on Jan 11, 2021 17:52:38 GMT
Sad news but a remarkable innings given what she'd have gone through during service.
R.I.P. Eleanor
|
|
|
Post by Sam Tyler on Jan 11, 2021 17:58:38 GMT
RIP Eleanor.
In my ignorance I wasn't even aware that women flew planes during the war.
Female pilots were employed to deliver planes to different airfields across the UK during the war and they were known collectively as "Spitfire Women". They didn't fly exclusively Spitfires, they flew all manner of planes. One, Mary Ellis, who died around 2½ years ago flew a Wellington bomber solo (I forget which airfield) and on disembarking the plane after touchdown the groundcrew went searching the plane for other crew members not believing that she had accomplished the task alone. There have been a few documentaries and some amazing stories from these incredible women, well worth catching up on. Sam.
|
|
Vienna
Verified
Curled up on Miss Jones' lap
Posts: 3,167
Online Status:
|
Post by Vienna on Jan 11, 2021 18:34:15 GMT
RIP Eleanor.
In my ignorance I wasn't even aware that women flew planes during the war.
Me too, Arthur A remarkable lady... and what an innings she had! RIP Eleanor
|
|
Three Litre
Producer
Oscar 24
Posts: 3,410
Online Status:
|
Post by Three Litre on Jan 11, 2021 19:12:22 GMT
RIP Eleanor.
In my ignorance I wasn't even aware that women flew planes during the war.
Me too, Arthur A remarkable lady... and what an innings she had! RIP Eleanor And as Gene pointed out above, they had bugger all training, just enough to get it off the ground and down again, no armaments either. They were tough ladies.
|
|
|
Post by D.C. Burtonshaw on Jan 11, 2021 19:16:50 GMT
A remarkable lady along with the other women that did the same as her, helped every bit as much as the men with the war effort back then and they will not be forgotten. A deservedly great innings and RIP Eleanor
|
|