Showmasters Admin showmasters Posted January 19, 2009 Showmasters Admin Share Posted January 19, 2009 Freda Sharland Spitfire pilot she was one of the ferry pilots of the Air Transport Auxiliary ATA Flying in the ATA whether you were a man or a woman was one of the most high-risk activities in the whole war - its death rate was higher than in RAF Fighter Command. Of 1,124 pilots who flew for the outfit, nearly one in six was killed. Constantly depleted, the elite troupe needed replenishing - yet even when their country clearly needed them, women had to fight hard to be allowed to take part at all. The hoops they had to jump through to be accepted in a hitherto male preserve seem quite extraordinary, as does their amazing single-mindedness. There were 146 brave women pilots just like her, their fates mostly unsung today, not least because of the extreme modesty of the handful of elderly survivors. To join the ATA you had to have 200 hours in the air and flying was, therefore, a rich person's sport. Young, beautiful and wilful, they swopped a life of privilege for one where death was potentially just round the corner. For in order to make their mark they volunteered for the most dangerous jobs. Sometimes danger came from the sheer unfamiliarity with the planes they were flying - there were 143 different types and often the pilots had a mere half-hour with the handbook before taking off. all in all she is an amazing woman and helped to win the 2nd world war Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dallas Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 A great guest. a lady i am looking forward to meeting , a real hero Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukeowl Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Possibly the most interesting guest ever announced for an Autographica. I sincerely hope Freda will be invited to give a talk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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