DEC.

1948

,I
I

The Cover This Month

"DO YOUR HURRYING IN REAL COMFORT ... " advise Stinson, monufacturers of the Voyager and Flying Station Wagon featured on this month's cover. Five thousand post.war owners have followed their counsel, establishing Stinson as the most popular 4-place plane in the world. Powered by a 165 h.p. f:ranklin engine, the plane cruises at 130 mph at 5,000 feet with a range of 554 miles to satisfy that "hurrying" urge. A roomy, soundproof cabin with a carrying capacity of four people and 100 pounds of baggage in the Voyager, or pilot and 640 pounds af cargo in the Flying Station Wagon, fulfills the "comfort" requisite. Over and above fulfillment of these popular requirements, Stinson designers were interested in producing a safe, dependable, economical airplane. To do this, they specified a rugged, all-metal structure with fabric skin; a sturdy, simple, fixed gear; a high wing; and a smooth, dependable powerplant. Throughout the whole design, they emphasized the highly important feature of economy in both maintenance and operotion. All these qualities, Stinson blended smoothly into the Voyager and Flying Station Wagon. Small wonder three to five times more Stinsons have been sold than any other 4-place airplane.

WASP NEWSLETTER
Volume V Number Three
Publisher ORDER OF FIFINELLA 3629 Lavell Drive Los Angeles 41, Calif. The WASP NEWSLETTER is published bi-monthly by the Order of Fifinella, whose members are former Women Airforce Service Pilots, better known as WASPS. peacetime continuing organization This was formed prior to

Editors
Betty Jane Williams 3629 Lavell Dr. Los Angeles 41, Calif. Anne Berry 417 East 9th St. Apt. 14 New York 3, N.Y.

their deactivation December 20th, 1944 and is legally incorporated state seal. as a non-profit group under the California is devoted pri-

The WASP NEWSLETTER

marily to the activities of the WASPS, and keeps them informed on current aeronautical events.

Executive
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Executive Secretary

Committee Contents
Betty Jane Williams Hazel J. Raines Irene Crum Hally I. Stires 1948 Convention Mayor Proclaims WASP Day National Memorial Services Business Meeting Stinson Dinner' Union Oil Co. Cocktail Party Page Page Page Page 4 5 6 8

Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 14 Page 14 Page 15

Advisory
Faith Buchner Sue Huff Gene La~dman Elaine Harmon Kay Murphy Elizabeth Watson

Board
President of Chicago Chapter

What I Dislike Most in Aviation WASPs in Idlewild Exposition Los Angeles Chapter New York Chapter Helen McGilvery Flying Day Winners at National Convention

President of the Indiana Chapter President of the New York Chapter Pres. of the Washington, D.C. Chapter President of the Los Angeles Chapter Representative for the Los Angeles Chapter President of the Texas Chapter Ex-Officio

Several interesting

articles that were deleted from this

Mickie Carmichael Dodie Aspell

issue to allow space for Convention news will be included in the next issue.

CONVENTION
WEDNESDAY.

PROGRAM
SEPT. 15

948 C.ON:
Mayor promin-

9:00 ..A.M.-Continuing through the doy, CONVENTION REGISTRA. TION in the Aviotion Room, mezzanine floor, Hollywood Roo.evelt Hotel. Miss Allaire Bennett, in charge. 1 :00 P.M.-INITIAL LUNCHEON,Blo om Room. Gue.t .peaker-Mrs. Blanche Noye., newly elected National Pre.ident of the Ninety-Nine. and Chief of the Airmarking Section of the Civil Aeronautic. Admini.tration. Honored gue.ts: Mr. Orville Caldwell, repre.enting Bowran, members of the Chamber of Commerce, ent aviation and civic leaders.

Toa.tmi.tre.s: Betty Jane William., National Pre.ident. Table decoration. furni.hed by United Air Line . 5:30 P.M.-COCKTAIL PARTY-Aviation Room, .pon.ored by the Union Oil Company of California and Pacific Airmotive Corporation. Regi.trants may bring hu.band. or e.corts upon pre.entation of invitation., obtainable at the Convention De.k.

And '0 they came from north, .outh, ea.t and we.t to convene in the heart of .unny California - that fa.t growing metropoli. of the west, Lo. Angele.. The Aviation Room of the Hollywood Roo.evelt Hotel, Convention Headquarters, .erved a. a mo.t appropriate .etting for the air-minded "Fifi . " The .ame air of joy and delight prevailed ot the .ight of .eeing ole' buddies and WASP friend.. It woo fun-loving time for all who attended. After old and new acquaintance. were renewed and made, the opening luncheon .erved as the kick-off (more appropriate take-off) for the four day. ahead. Miss Faith Buchner, Pre.ident of the Chicago Chapter, and the first to register, is .hown below, receiving her convention credential. from Miss Allaire Bennett, in charge of regi.tration and Tran'portation Chairman for the Convention.

OPENING

LUNC

We were mo.t fortunate indeed to have the newly elected Pre.ident of the Ninety-Nine. and Chief of the C.A.A. Air Marking Seelion in Wa.hington, D.C., fly into Lo. Angele. to attend the luncheon and be our gue.t .peaker for that occa.ion. It was delightful to have Mrs. Blanche Noye. with u., relating .torie. of how one learned to fly years ago, how early American aviation had to overcome oppo.ition from person. who thought it a "fad of the idle rich." Mrs. Noye. was the lOth U.S. woman to hold a tran'port pilot'. licen.e when .he was '0 certified in 1929. Her thou.and. of ho'urs in the air (.ome 14,000 we believe) commanded the re.peel of every WASP pre.ent!!! Her clo.ing remark. commended the Women Airforce Service Pilots for the part they have played in aviation hi.tory. THURSDAY, B:45 SEPT. 16 Memorial-Park,

A.M.-Bu. leave. the hotel for Fore.t Lawn where a tour will precede the .ervice .

11 :00 A.M.-FIRST NATIONAL MEMORIAL SERVICES, honoring the 38 girl. who gave their live. a. Women Airforce Service Pilots. Church of the Recessional. Maj. General Ralph P. Cou.in. will deliver the Memorial Address. The 146th Fighter Squadron of the California National Guard will pay tribute with an aerial .alute. Relative., friend . and public cordially invited. 1 :00 P.M.-BUSINESS LUNCHEON. Redwood Room, Hollywood Roo.evelt Hotel. 'Bu.iness .ession follow.. ALL MEMBERS PRESENT. Betty Jane William., National Pre.ident, pre.iding. Attendance regi.tration at radio shows. Tickets at Convention De.k. obtainable upon

Evening

VENT. ON
Jane Susan Margie Katherine Marjorie Elizabeth Cornelia Frances Mary Mary Edith

WOMEN AIRFORCE SERVICE PILOTS

HONOR ROLL
Champlin Clark L. Davis Dussaq D. Edwards Erickson Fort Grimes Hartson H. Howson Keene B. Lawrence Ying Lee Loop Lovejoy Beverly Dorothy Jeanne Margaret Mabel Gleanna Betty Moses Nichols L. Norbeck Oldenburg Rawlinson Roberts Scott Scott J. Seip

Dorothy Margaret Helen Marie Evelyn Betty Marion Gertrude Mary Mary Bonnie Betty

J. Severson Sharon Sharp P. Stine Toevs Tompkins

Kathryn Hazel Paula Alice

Lea Ola McDonald Peggy Marie Virginia Martin N. Mitchell Moffatt

Trebing Webster Jean Welz

T. Wood

IHEON SEPT. 15th

PROCLAMATION
TO THE CITIZENS OF LOS ANGELES, GREETINGS: WHEREAS, during existence of the Women's Airforce Service Pilot program, thirty-eight women gave their lives while flying aircraft in World War II, and WHEREAS, the peacetime organization known as the Order of Fifinella is composed of former members of the WASPs, and WHEREAS, the Order of Fifinella, now meeting in national convention in Los Angeles, is sponosring the first national memorial service in honor of this gallant group of thirty-eight deceased comrades,

You have worn dreams as Wings above a hem't Stretched to the wide I Enchantment of the sky, Thrilling to beauty uncharted Corridor.r of air . . . you have found tomorrou High in the silent places of the blue Under the shadow of much stronger wings. You have seen sunlight in the day, and 111"oven it with streamers of white cloud Spilling golden laughter on the earth. God has showered silver in the night and We who stand below look up to see the Poetry of wings against the bright Sharp stream of stars pouring into the sorrow of the dark
ELINOR FAIRCHILD

NOW, THEREFORE, as Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, I do hereby proclaim Thursday, September 16, 1948, as WASP MEMORIAL DAY in and for this city, for the purpose of bringing to the attention of all our citizens this appropriate expression of tribute to the memory of those WASPs who willingly gave valorous devotion to their country's service. FLETCHER BOWRON, Mayor

PROGRAM
POSTING OF THE COLORS Dorothy Avery Kay Cleverly Color Honor Guard Mary Ruth Rance Alice Middleton

"THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER .............. Francis Scott Key Ruth Lloyd, Organ INVOCATION Chaplain Thoburn Speicher Captain, United States Army

Messages from General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold, former commanding General, United States Army Air Force and Miss Jacqueline Cochran, former Director of Training for the WASPs. "THERE IS NO DEATH" Jimmy O'Brien, Tenor Geoffrey O'Hara

The United States Army Air Force will always remember with pride and the highest admiration and esteem the young women who sat at the controls of some of its most advanced combat planes during World War II. These women were superior not only to great physical hardships and the high risks and hazards every airman and air woman knows: they surmounted with equal courage the dictates of tradition and the criticism of reactionary prejudice. Their only fault was that they perhaps did their job too well. Clearly then we do these thirty-eight of their member a great injustice if we bring to this service heavy hearts and grief duJled eyes. These thirty-eight WASPs whom we remember especiaJly today are worthy of something far better than that. If we think of them aright we shaJl know a renewing of courage, a rebirth of our highest concepts of loyalty, duty and responsibility and a rekindling of the fire of our own spirit through this recognition of what the true glory and splendor of the human spirit can be when given an opportunity to flame at its full brilliance. Sincerely yours, (Signed) GENERAL H. H. ARNOLD, Hamilton AFB, Calif.

WOIUEI\'"WITH WI:\'GS _ Ralph P. Cousins Major General, United States Army Air Corps (Ret.) "AVE MARIA" _ Rhonda Fleming, Soprano (By Courtesy of Selznick Pictures) Bach-Gounod

IN MEMORIAM

RITUAL

WASP HONOR REPRESENTATIVES Catherine Murphy Faith Buchner Hazel Raines AJlaire Bennett HONOR ROLL BENEDICTION __ .__ .__ .._ _ Frank Goss Betty Jane Williams Chaplain Thoburn Speicher Announcer

Aerial Tribute by the 146th Fighter Squadron of the California National Guard. The Benediction Concludes the Service

During our active war flying days 38 of our fellow WASP were called upon by destiny to make good the offer implicitly tendered by all of tis to give our lives if necessary in the service of our country. Alt.hough circumstances have kept me away from the Memorial Service I will at the appointed hour stand at attention and as your war time leader salute once again these 38 WASPs who as civilians and volunteers in the most dangerous branch of any woman's service made the supreme sacrifice. May the peace that they helped buy with their blood be preserved to aJl of us. But if that is not willed by providence then may the past work of the.W ASPs highlighted by these 38 heroines be a shining example to our successors. (Signed) JACQUELINE COCHRAN.

PRESSCLIPPINGS re: National

Memorial

TRIBUTE PAID TO IWASPS' WHO DIED IN WAR DUTY

II

II

'I't1lrty.eight glowing", candles "Thes~gallant women were sdl. . the slow beauty of taps . diers and.'they kept the soldier-'s the bellow of low.flylng jet fight. faitb . h... f t ers . ' ~ ell'S was a ar grea er These yesterday symbolized a: sas:rilice. Men h;l.Ve always gone tribute to 38 fliers-wartime to. war,_.but these. fliers gave'.up Wasps-who died serving their ~~e,Co1f1J9rt and, protection o( thel'r country. ' home~~ sin'deThe Church of the Recessional, f ' 9.. ~heir coun~ry .. . Forest Lawn Memorial.Park wa9 .rA.sJ~1iss. Betty Jane ~illlam~, filled with young women in blu president of the arder, read the : uniforms who have organized a roll of the dead, candles were civilians in the Order of Fifinella Ifgbted 'for each name. And the the sprightly little gremlin in earth..shudderirig passes of N<i. signia .of the Women Airforce tinnal Guarn jets Ul1dersconid tM . Service Pilots. 15liragewith ,,-hich they died. ,,' In his memorial address before ers aspS', a broken propeller floral piece, ,,'ho' flew mare than 60,000,000 Maj. Gen. Ralph P. Cousins (reU' i'ltiles iff all wartime aviatiol\a.8" former commander of the West; signmentS' "xcept combat fiyin~' ern Flying Training Command. arP."now / .' ~nnual (!~n'

~~f\ t'

et ~uu a\b !.l'\ u. ~. tot ~\\e~ \\ ~ otet\\ ~a'lf J;

iJ

-'--'---~.

tne,

to t\'j O~~ge\e~', 'lJere lP5 .~To1'(\e ~a5-p5 ~e5t er 'If' Deir 1 '~" Cit'j" tne ~orf(\c\05e t '. Memorial services honoring the \ Cu\'1er oo.a'j a..5. 1'\\0\5e ce e!l 38 members of the Wgmen are~ tee se'('J\!lio!l ne\~ "'lJof(\tOr, force .Service PiIO~ who lost their p,inor o.a'] reu r 5er'1\0. -p\a!l5o.a'j5\ lives In World ar II will be tn~~ tor~e o.i5CU55~'neo. -p~o. 1 conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in tn~ ~ '1Ji!lg5 !lo. rena5o. te5t- 0 1 the Church of the Recessional at 'lJit'ntuture terrieo. .a!lCor-p5. tnereo. . Forest Lawn Memorial Park. More tne !I fne'j tne p,\r'-'po-p\e 55iO!la\ than 300 women are expected to ga 'lJ'ne e5 tor !I ?JoG ~he 1\.eC~ \_1'ar\t. attend. \ -p\a~ore fna rcn ot t}l\ef(\or\aatiO!la\' The Women Airforce Service , t'ne cn~ 1"a'lJ!I tir5t!l ot Pilots flew more than 60,000 miles at ",ore5 tor t'ne e1'(\'oer5, 5 during the war, ferrying all types Thoburn Speicher, Air Force cha e '.1a] 8 a hig, 80]. at 5tero.~'j . e tor 1'(\neir \\'1 'of aircraft from trainers to pur- lain, will offer the invocation and J:F'0 C01l1'eJ1~~Jgilt t Of 'jk-G: ;a\ se'('J\Cno \05t tn' suits and bombers, as well as car- benediction: qa l'ce Se ~0J10 th(> f(\e1'(\~/p,S1'S. 'lJ11. :res;eo. t't1rying out many other specialized The event is open to the public. f JJes, to;"'JCe pf the tne \& ~ar o!l e~-Pne-part ;r missions. . 'i/o- " .Oth",.. 'ed < JiOf. in ,~or or ~o~tiO!l ot t'lJar '0'1~r' Maj, Gen. Ralph P. Cousins, ' ~~'j recOg!l\e<\ t'neS1' }l\ef(\ former commanding general of the i!l cit'J 51'S -p\a'j o.a'j ~ p, \ 1\.aWn Western Flying Training ComG ~!'>: i!lg tn~ Ge!ler~a..!lo.ing'1'r' mand, will deliver the memorial c\3,\f(\ 1Aa10rer cof(\ ",wi!lg addreSl on "Women with Wings." Da'jsi!l5. tO~e5ter~'1ereo. t'ne, Rhonda Fleming, Selznick sing-, cou\ ot t'ne !lo. o.e\\ o1'(\e!l ing star, and Jimmy O'Brien, tenor, ~ ~ra 'Cof(\f(\~re;5 o!l ., p"will be the featured soloists f<;>r \!I'{. ria\ ao. "\1a..-P \ the Forest Lawn event, and will ~!lg5." 1\, \1: ge!le:a.. sing the Bach-Gounod "Ave Ma\Ge!lera\ f(\1l\~no.\~~cC\ue\\!le, and Geoffrey O'Hara's "There ria" rrner CO a!lo. tl'jer a..Is No Death." Frank Goss, news t~\r forcea 'lJO~a;r.ai!li!lg commentator, wiII be announcer a..!1!I~te ctor 0 ecia\ !lfor the program. ~ rf(\~r D\~e 'lJireo. :~t t'ne 5 An In Memoriam ritual will be ~ p,S1' ere rea conducted by members of the orw'nic't1 'lJ ganization centering around a floral piece in the form of a broken propeller done in the organization colors. Special aerial tribute during the service will be conducted by the 146th Fighter Squadron of the, California National Guard when

Memorial Rites Set _ For 38 Women Pl10ts r.~~;',,'~~,,,:s K-IIe d In W ar Servlce r, I s

u-

t',.j ~ ~ hllte p aid ---0 WAs

J lIicPaid l'eJ ' Jill tile 3 e;et~J1j;,~~~el'd:~ dUl'i1l:It}W4SA ':YfJ' y st L at Ie I}': .' Jef a Cott aWJ1 l17e11) .aJ' their planes dip their wings as ,Jiied wJ1~-"<rl'; daug1l[ -"<re11) o~Jai they fly over the church. a W hJ}e oS F'l'aJ1 el' Of Ol'Jai Special messages in honor of the ;llief.'tSl>. el''''iJ1g ~ L. s po. Wasps from Jacqueline Cochran, " C sPea eJ' cocott, woman pilot and former director t a /J.siJ18 ~.R'<l Ull. of training for the Wasps, and!) fal' 8:' ''''ho 8 -"<raj Gen. Henry H.. "Hap" Allnold, for- 't ]~a"'e l'eatel' deCial'~/!eJJ. mer commandmg general of the c.al'lJ1g t. the csaCl'i[ic . Air Force. will be read. l~ ClJ1d eat8 Of 011)fo1.t fol' e ,Ruby Lloyd will be the organ- 'j they k ~'1)l'.'; Of ist fo'\" the service and Captain I:'W1) ept the 'hey

BUSINESS MEETING
The first business meeting was held on September 16th, immediately following the Memorial Services, The Redwood Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel offered a most attractive setting. National President, Betty Jane Williams, presided. Listed below are the highlights of the meeting; MEMORIAL FUND. Earlier in. the year it was voted by the membership at large, that the Memorial Fund be used to provide additional medical care to WASPs, still in need, who received injuries while serving the Army Air Corps as Women Airforce Service Pilots. Betty suggested that the present monies collected in the Memorial Fund be used to offset the cost of medical examination to further determine a more exact figure needed for surgery and hospitalization for each girl. Each girl, who is listed in official records as having been injured will be contacted and some means decided for the necessary arrangements, if an examination is needed. Miss Allaire Bennett was appointed Chairman of this committee. FRANCO FLIGHT SCHOLARSHIP. Mr. Carlos Franco, of Young & Rubicam Advertising Agen.cy, New York, sent a telegram to reassure us. of his donation of. $1,000.00 to start a flight scholarship as set up by a' committee meeting last February in New York. These points were read and approved. The various state boards of education will be contacted and their help sought in an effort to disseminate the information to all the high schools within a state. FINANCIAL STATUS. The financial status of the organization was discussed. In order to meet our budget, it is necessary that we keep a membership of 750 to 800. Our present membership is 375; therefore we have been unable to meet our financial requirements. Our one and only paid officer (according to a contract between the organization and that officer) has not been paid a salary for the past six or seven months. The monies have been needed to meet unpaid bills. Though national dues are payable on December 20th, a large majority of the members do not pay until many, many months later. It is impossible to set up a budget or run the organization with dues paid in the latter half of the year ... when those monies are needed early in the year. Maintaining an up-to-date addressograph system, such as we have always had, publishing the type of Newsletter we have published, and in general keeping a working organization, when its officers, and members are scattered all over these United States takes considerable funds. It was moved, seconded and passed that the dues be raised to $8.00 each year, payable on July 1st. Much discussion ensued this original suggestion. It was the majority of opinion that the dues pe raised, to compensate for dwindling membership, which is to be expected. HOWEVER; this does not become effective until such an amendment be passed according to the existing by-laws. (Majority of membership ... those present at the convention did not make up that majority). Continued on Opposite Page

Peggy Ann Garner served as "starter" for the various raees at Field Day. Shown at right (1. to r.) Hally Stires, Betty Williams, Peggy Ann Garner and Joan Whelan, in charge of Flying Day activi ties.

/
FRIDAY, SEPT. 17 8:45 A.M.-Meet in the lobby. Transportation to Clover Field for entrants in flyir,g events. All entrants must be checked out prior to races. See Allaire Bennett, Transportation Chairman. 12:15 P.M.-TANNER BUS leaves for field. Miss Faith Buchner in charge. 1:00 P.M.-FLYING DAY activities commence at Hughes Aircraft Company Flight Strip, Jefferson and Sepulveda Boulevards, Culver City. (Entrance on Jefferson). Miss Joan Whelan in charge. Aircraft used through the courtesy of: BoggsMcBurney Aircraft Inc., 20th Century Flying Service, Wade Aircraft, Cloverleaf Aviation, Inc., Santa Monica Air Service, Airmen United, and Hadelaire Flight Service. Competitive flying events; Ribbon cutting, Bomb dropping, and the Pants Race. Champion Fifinella to be chosen ... all awards to be made at final banquet on Air Force Day. 6:00 P.M.-TANNER BUS leaves the field for beach party.

Bill Grant, of Minneapolis, put the little, single-place, retractable, tricycle landing gear, 25 hp. Mooney airplane, through its paces for the women pilots. The Mooney is shown below with a group of lovely Fifis.

7:00 P.M.-BEACH PARTY at CASTLE ROCK, Santa Monica (2% miles north of Carl's on Coast Highway). BUSINESS MEETING Continued It was agreed that the editor be give na budget with which to operate, and a Newsletter will have to be published in keeping with that budget, even if we must revert to a mimeographed form. In its present form, the Newsletter. costs approximately $200.00 It was also hoped that it would be unnecessary to go back to a mimeograph form, however. MEMBERSHIP. In order to alleviate this problem, it was decided to have an all-out drive for membership and Mardo Crane was appointed Membership Chairman. BY-LAWS. It was moved by Dodie Aspell that the By-laws be changed to allow national convention the authority to officially pass laws, regardless of number present. Under existing laws, (and because convention attendance very seldom reaches a majority of membership) propositions made at convention must first go through the channels of a chapter ... then it is sent to all other chapters for approval. It was decided that the Los Angeles Chapter would start the ball rolling on making this amendment.

11 :00 A.M. at Bette Glaser's

Swimming homeRoad,

Party and Buffet Luncheon 644 South Los Angeles. ... garden ming pool. Muirfield .,

Tennis courts and swim-

HAZEL RAINES Guest Speaker BRIG. GENERAL THOMAS C. DARCY

7:30 P.M.-Final Banquet sponsored by the Stinson Division of ConsolidatedYultee Aircraft Corporation. Blossom Room, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Honored guests: Lt. Gen. Ira Eaker (retired 18th Air Force. Lt. Gen. Harold George ( ret ire d) Air Transport Command. Maj. Gen. Ralph P. Cousins (retired) W est ern Flying Training Command. Brig. Gen. Luther W. Sweetzer, Army Air Force Reserve. Master of Ceremonies, Edward Arnold, shown in center photo with Betty Williams.

MR. WILLIAM

KLEINECKE,

GENERAL

SALES MANAGER,

STINSON

UNION

OIL of Calif. & PACIFIC AIRMOTIVE

Sponsor

CORP.

COCKTAIL PARTY

Miss Muriel Lindstrom, writer of Pilots Handbook at North American Aviation and former WASP. chats with Scotty McDonold, attorney in Los Angeles. and Miss Alice Montgomery, former WASP who is now a Service Engineer ot North American Aviation.

At right, hors

group

being and

served canapes.

d'oeuvres

WHAT I DISLIKEMOST IN AVIATION

Janet Hargrave, 44-5, Aviation Writer on the NashvlIIe Banner Stuff like that isn't good. Several students failed to show up for their appointments. Of course perhaps a portion of the blame can be put upon flight operators who don't instill safe flying practices in their customers and students. But operators can't fly a wing on each and every pilot, and the real blame lies with any flyer stupid enough to tangle with a power line. Try to convince the layman of that, though. Too many people ascribe personalities and motives to an airplane, as if a plane, sitting quietly by itself, could suddenly start dealing out death and destruction. They forget that it takes someone at the controls. The last little anecdote concerns buzzards. An airline pilot on an airline pilot's holiday bundled up his wife, two friends Election year brings out a rash of polls, and certainly 1948 Is no exception: everyone's itching to speak his piece. As Mr. Gallup wore himself out trying to find out who. was going to cop the presidency we thought it probably would be OK by him if we conducted a little poll of our own. Gripe is not strictly the main purpose of this survey. We have always hoped that something like this will serve a double shift. In other words, if we air our dislikes maybe we can also do something about them. After all, ex-WASPS should know a little about flying, even if they never put hand to throttle after December 1944, and as pilots, or one-time pilots, have a small part to play in the development of aviation. The really corking thing about 'the poll is that as crier for it, I have the first crack at shaking out my complaint, which, strangely enough, is directed against non-aviation people: the newspaper editors, magazine writers, and for that matter, all of those who treat the airplane as an infernal machine, liable to fly apart at any minute. You all know what I mean: sensational aeronautical stories that smack very loudly of Buck Rogers; the kind that make excellent copy but also do a marvelous job of keeping the general public out of airplanes. For reference I can only draw upon what I know - local events at the local airports which have turned up in the papers and on e'leryone's tongue as the most incredible takes this side of E. A. Poe. One story that enjoyed wide popularity was about a National Air Guard pilot who bailed out when his engine started acting up. He settled to earth near a farm house while his plime naturally did the same with considerably more disturbance. As the boy hadn't had a great deal of time in the P-47 (it was later thought perhaps a more experienced pilot could have nursed the ship back to the field) he did the best thing he knew to do - and that was get out. To read about it in the papers, he was a visitor from another planet who came thumping down on the barn roof, scaring the farmer, his wife, and yes, his daughter almost senseless. True enough, parachutists don't light in everyone's backyard, yet it doesn't necessarily follow that hysterics are in order, if one does. And this is the point: there really weren't any hysterics at the scene at all. The only person who threw a fit was the reporter, sitting at the controls of a-souped-up typewriter. The story made good reading though, and it got around very neatly. And two passengers canceled their airline reservations. Sometime before that episode a couple of pilots jumped into a rented Aeronca Champion and, after flying around the airport a few times, decided the only way to have some fun was to fly over their respective places of. business. Happily, the establishments were only a few doors apart. Flying at the accepted altitude was far too tame; they wanted to get down and see something. Down they came and

and their small child into a four-place plane and took off on a weekend trip. An hour or so out he ran into bad weather. \\'hat happened after that of course is hypothetical, but it was supposed, he attempted to proceed on top, only to find the situation becoming increasingly poor. At which point he turned back and sometime later started a let down through the overcast. The next thing anyone knew is that a farmer heard the noise of the crash. He was the nearest thing to an on-the-scenereporter and he said that at the same time he heard the crash a couple of buzzards were wheeling overhead. What do you think the newspapers made of that? You're right! They bleated out that the pilot flew into the tough old bird, and shattered the propeller, causing excessive vibration which in turn literally shook the plane into bits. Now more than just a few readers believed the story. Some pilots fell for it too, and of course, it is not out of the realm of the credible. The whole town was talking about the hazards of flying. "Imagine that," said a fairly intelligent looking fellow. "Imagine that, and there are so many birds too! It's a wonder more people don't get killed running into 'em!" Reconstructing the accident through a careful investigation the theory was advanced that the pilot allowed the airspeed to build up substantially past the red-line, due to unfamiliarity with the plane or iced pitot tube or both, until finally undue stress was put on the air frame. The wing covering simply peeled off. By' the time this study was complete, the buzzard idea had taken hold and done its damage. That's my gripe. As an antidote, perhaps, the only answer is a bona fide aviation editor on every staff or flight experience for each and every reporter. Either solution involves extra costs that would be prohibitive to most outfits, they say. The next best thing then is a one man campaign, such as the one I have assiduously managed, being president, vicepresident and chief blabber mouth in charge of publicity. Still, in some small way it helps. And every time I hear some bonehead groundling talk about airplanes "falling" (they always fall, you know, wildly out of control) I take pains to put the guy straight. It takes time but it's worth it. Now, how about yours? Maybe you don't like the price of aviation gas, or the meals served on airlines. Perhaps you rebel at the kind of ser'lice you get at airports or object to the design of the new planes? Get busy and let us hear from you - what's number one on your aviation hate parade? And guess what, first prize is a complete solo flight course, non-transferrable. Isn't that nifty?

never did stop until they piled up on the pavement. Somewhere between where they were and where they thought they wanted to go lay a very stout high tension line. One wing struck this cable and that was that. But the eye-witness account of the incident indicated that a wing suddenly fell off the plane. In fact, one of the deceased's friellds stated he had been watching the plane circle over head and even heard the pilot cut back the engine and shout down a greeting - then, "It just fell right apart, right in mid-air."

Biting her lip with envy, the young lady and her two camera-laden escorts stop to adndre the Order of Fifinella exhibits at the New York International Air Exposition. On display are photos from Sweetwater, our insignia, "Fifi," a class yearbook, copies of the Newsletter, and a

brief on the .. Order... The three WASPs-the slacks are recognizableare Gloria Heath, Betty Haas, and Joan Gough. The girls who organized the Order's part of the program were Nonie Horton, Gloria Heath, A. J. Mar. and Joan Gough,

WASPS IN PROGRAM AT NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Five WASPs piloted light planes in one of the fly-by demonstrations as part of their contribution to the ceremonies and activities marking the opening of Idlewild, the New York International Airport, early in August. Their services as pilots were given in a volunteer effort to promote private flying, as well as to assist local dealers in light aircraft. The flights took place on Saturday and Sunday, July 31 and August 1 and again on August 7 and 8. Dear Gloria: These women pilots, it was explained in press releases, are all former Army service pilots and now hold commercial licenses. All are active in the aviation or allied fields. Both the two-place and four-place family airplane were flown. The girls participating were: models

MA YOR'S COMMITTEE INTERNATIONAL AIR EXPOSITION

August 17, 1948 Miss Gloria Heath Order of Fifinella 405 Park Avenue New York 22, N.Y.

The cooperation of the members of the Order of Fifinella in the International Air Exposition was deeply appreciated by

members of the Mayor's Committee. I am confident that you know this also expresses my own feeling. Your participation you might in every way was grand. want to see the enclosed picture.

Gloria Heath, 44-5, N.Y.C" working with the Flight Safety Foundation as an educational specialist, flew an Aeronca. Betty Haas, 43-5, Scarsdale, N.Y., now attending stewardess school at Pan-American Airways, flew an Aeronca. Nonie Horton, 43-7, N.Y.C., public relations assistant at Fairchild Engine & Airplane Corp., and a weekend flight instructor, piloted an Aeronca. Alice Jean May, 43-4, Englewood, N.J" flying secretary Mallard Aviation, Navion distributors, flew a Navion. Katherine Menges, 43-3, free lance aviation onstrated an Ercoupe. writer, for dem-

I thought (above).

Sincerely, Tom Compere.

LOS ANGELES CHAPTER

After our June meeting which was all business regarding our convention, we thought we owed ourselves a strictly social meeting. So - on Friday night, July 23, we had a _ beach party in Long _ Beach, with a roaring - good fire, hot dogs, baked beans, beer, coke and watermellon. We settled down to just having fun. Of course, most of our talk concerned the "coming event"the Third National Convention. More ideas and plans were discussed with everybody putting her nickel's worth. The August meeting was held at the Mayfair Hotel on Friday the 20th. This was a combined social and business meeting. The final plans for the convention were discussed with all LA chapter members present.

WNAA

ADOPTS

ACTIVE

FLIGHT

PROGRAM

(This report did not make the July Newsletter, for which it was intended, but the news of what took place at that time and of the WASP's who attended is still of interest). Several WASPs were delegates to the annual convention of the Women's National Aeronautical Association which took place June 17-19 at Salt Lake City, Utah. Betty Clark, 43-7, Denever, Colorado, Unit, WNAA and National Woman Pilot Chairman for the past year, introduced an excellent flight program whereby WNAA will promote active flying as a part of the organization's work. Flying clubs will be sponsored by WN AA Units, trophys will be awarded annually for outstandiT',g aviation achievements, as will a scholarship of $100.00 for the furtherance of an aviation career. Betty worked hard to compile the introduced program and the foregoing is a very brief extract of its substance. It was received and adopted with enthusiasm by the delegates. Virginia Etherington Spear, 44-9, President of the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Unit, heartily endorsed the introduction of Betty's plan. Virginia is currently working with the Girl Wing Scouts of Tulsa as their pilot-instructor, a part of the Tulsa FNAA program. Maxine Steward Smith, 43-6, attended the convention as a Tulsa delegate. She is a member of the Tulsa Unit. If there are Fifinellas interested in joining the WNAA, information may be obtained from Mrs. Leland B. Read, National President, WNAA, 3722 Melba Place, Normandy, St. Louis County, Missouri, or from Connie Caraway, Second Vice-President, WNAA, Route 3, Kansas City, Kansas. Other business was transacted at the convention; several interesting and worthy programs adopted; the entertainment, as time permitted, excellent and much fun - but to flying members the adoption of the active flight program was no doubt the highlight of events. Maxine Steward Smith, 43-6

CHICAGO INDIANA TEXAS

CHAPTER:

No report.

CHAPTER: No report. CHAPTER:

No report. No report.

WASHINGTON

CHAPTER:

WASP

NEWS

Gene Garvin, 43-5, now Mrs. Charles St. Martin, has a boy born April 2, named Charles Cameron, Jr. The St. Martins are living in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Pat Kenworthy, 44-5, was married September 10 to E. Marshall Nuckols, Jr.

We were grieved to learn of Helen's fatal accident. Her many friends will miss her. Thought you would like to read an article that recently appeared in print re: Helen and her ability.

Mary K. Quist, 44-7, was married July 3 to George G. Edwards. They reside at Corpus Christi, Texas.

HELEN McGH. VERY RUNS ANNAPOLIS AIRPORT

By Stanley Baitz

NEW
\ II ,

YORK

(Reprinted

from The Sunday Star

Pictorial

Magazine, WA)

"'",
\

After a quiet summer, the New York Chapter of the P'I Order of Fifinella will take up its activities with I I {( a meeting on October 27 I I ( at the Madison Restaut. I \ I I ......, rant at 3 East 35th Street. Guest speakers will be .""'l _ two well-known women flyers. One of them is ~ , Bessy Owen, particularly , _,'" remembered for her trip I, ; I -, around the world in a Waco in 1936. She is also the author of the book AERIAL VAGABOND. The other guest is Ann Wood of the British ATA.

....

CHAPTER

Any wayfaring airman. who drops in at the Annapolis Airport and asks for the manager is apt to get a surprise when a slim little blond steps up and announces she is it. Helen E. McGilvery (WAFS) is one of the few women airport managers in the country. Nor is she just a desk-sitting figurehead whose only interest in flying is academic. She is a flying executive who can handle a rubber stamp or a control stick with equal facility. As airports go, the one she manages is not large, either from the standpoint of physical size or traffic. Yet there is enough business to keep her and the small staff hopping from early morning to late at night every day in the week. Recently, Miss McGilvery had left the field at the end of a hard day and gone to her home in Annapolis when a gale blew up. Out to the field she sped at 10 o'clock that night to make sure the planes were lashed down and safe. "In this business, you never get a breather," she says with a laugh. Most of her day is taken up with instructing would-be flyers, a circumstance which takes much of the sting out of all the paper work she has to do for the various governmental

'"

17

..

.'} 1}:r
1 '

Nonie Horton, 43-7, will sketch for the group the events and programs which took place at the National Convention. Nonie won' the trophy as Champion Fifinella for this year. Nonnie and Gloria Heath, 44-5, are arranging rent aeronautical films. to show cur-

agencies, Federal and State, in connection with running a flying school and an airport. "Getting up in the skies on a nice summer day makes up for a lot of things," she says. Miss McGilvery has been flying for about eight years, and has about 2,400 hours to her credit. She put in long service with the WASP's during the war. Miss McGilvery flew pursuit planes mostly, and one of the moment's she will always remember came while she was training in a P-39 which, she was soon to find out, had a defectiv.e gas gauge. Flying happily. along, she suddenly ran out of gas. "It got awfully quiet up there all of a sudden," is the way she describes it now. Fortunately, landing. she was near the airfield and made a safe

Flying has not been the sum and substance of her career. She has sold gloves in a department store, sold insurance, and once was a partner in an export-import business. But if there is anything that approaches her love for flying, it probably is in the literary field. Her not-so-suppressed desire is to be a writer. As a student at the University of Michigan, she majored in English and literary criticism. She gets it out of her system now by writing and editing a monthly four-page newspaper which she sends out to airfields and some flyers throughout Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. It is a breezy publication but with serious editorials about the problems of private flyers. She is a member of Zonta, a business and professional woman's organization, and occasionally makes luncheon speeches in Annapolis to spur interest of women in aviation, She is not an ardent feminist, but she does believe that women are no better, no worse, than men as pilots.

STAR PHOTO

PAUL SCHMICK

FLYING DAY WINNERS AT NATIONAL

CONVENTION

Miss Nonie Horton, New York City won the top honors, becoming "Champion Fifinella" by placing highest in competitive flying events, staged during the National Convention. She was awarded the much coveted "Fifinella Trophy" and the beautiful Cochran Cosmetic Case and Flight Kit, donated to the organization for a flying day award, by Cochran Cosmetics. First place in the bomb dropping contest went to Mary McFadden, and her award was an attractive portable radio, donated to us by Civic Center Sales, Los Angeles, California. Girl with the most flying hours was Hazel Raines, and her award was a handsome ladies' wrist watch, donated by Davison's Jewelry Store in Los Angeles. Winner in the Penny Pix contest was Marge Logan Rolle, winning a truly beautiful clock, courtesy of Ted's Appliance and Radio, Los Angeles.

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