"We lived in the wind and sand with our eyes on the stars" --- Women Airforce Service Pilots --- WASP Pilot Violet Thurn Cowden
How big do you have to be to fly a P-51? Obviously, at least 5'2' and 100 pounds! In addition to the P-51, Pilot Vi Cowden also flew the P-39, P-40, P-47, and P-63 during World War II. The WASP were the first women military pilots to serve the United States Army Air Force during World War II. Almost 25,000 women applied to the WASP and 1830 were accepted.
They flew wartime missions within the United States. The WASP flew more than 60 million miles in 78 different types of military aircraft - from trainers to B-29 bombers. At the time, women could not be commissioned pilots in the military and were governed by the Civil Service Commission. Thirty-eight women lost their lives and were not covered by government life insurance.
In 1979, the Secretary of the Air Force granted that long overdue recognition and veteran status to the WASP.
Vi Cowden's latest parachuting adventure came Feb. 25, when she dived with the Golden Knights, the Army's elite parachute team. With a team member behind her firmly attached by harness, Cowden plummeted through the sky for about 30 seconds. Smiling ear to ear, she spread her arms out like wings as the wind blew furiously against her face. Once the divers' parachute was released, they floated the rest of 12,500-foot drop. Her husband, 85, admitted he was "a little bit concerned" for her safety but enjoyed watching her. "It's beautiful floating down like a bird," he said.
Arthur, this great lady has more courage than most, and some pilots think anyone who would jump out of a perfectly functioning aircraft is a little crazy too.
ReplyDeleteYes, you have to admire these "bigger than life" folk who pile up accomplishments that we mortals only dream about.
ReplyDelete