W.A.S.P. How long did they serve ?

[Glen]

Greetings
I was wondering how long did the W.A.S.P. Women Air Service Pilots serve ? Had the Honor of getting to know Ziggy Hunter She was active in the DFW Wing of the then Confederate Air Force back in the Eightys before she passed away. Wonderful lady to talk to I belive that she trained Navy Fighter Pilots and was a driving force in the Restoration of the L-5 that is based at DFW hanger ( it was named Miss Ziggy in her honor) Sadly before her passing some low life broke into her house and Stole her WASP Wings and other things. Sorry I was rambeling their when was the WASP service formed and when did it end ?

[Zachary]

I believe the WASPs were only officially from Sept. 1942 through December 1944.

Zack

[Elroy13]

That is correct: September 12th, 1942 until December 20th, 1944

http://www.twu.edu/WASP/history.htm

http://home.earthlink.net/~reyesd99/ste ... ction.html

[Tailspin]

Technically speaking the WASP existed fron Aug 1943 to Dec 20 1944.
The WAFS flew from Sept 1942 as did the WFTDs until these two groups were merged into the WASP in Aug of 1943. There was also a group of American women (29) who flew for the RAF Air Transport Auxillary (ATA Girls) before the WAFS or WFTDs.
Hugh

[Cvairwerks]

Hey Glen: TWU in Denton is the home to a huge collection of WAAF/WASP stuff. I belive, if my memory is correct, TWU is/will be the home of all the memorabilia that their organization has accumulated since the disbandment.

I can remember Ziggy from way back in the early 80's and she was a real firebrand back then. I've had the pleasure and honor of meeting a number of the ladies over the years and had some wonderful conversations about their experiences.

Craig C.

[Glen]

Craig
I belive if memory serves me correct Ziggy had more Multi Engine ( It was in the 1000's of hours ) time than most of all the WASP pilots I seem to remember that she knew Amelia Airheart and Pancho Carter ! one of the Navy Fighter pilots that she trained was a mamber of the museum at that time Guy Joe Smith Sadly he too is gone but not forgotten .

[Tailspin]

Was her real name Celia? (class 43-5) I flew with Guy Joe several times while I was with Braniff. Flew with his son once too.
Hugh

[cadet77]

While doing some research of training bases in the US I found this site that gives details on some of the aircraft that were flown by WASPs at the many bases.

http://www.wingsacrossamerica.us/wasp/baselist.htm

Fly fast, fly safe,

Larry

[EDowning]

Nice Avatar, Cadet77.