Fifenella
Woman Airforce Service Pilots
WASP Fifenella
B-25
The Woman Air Force Service Pilots was formed in 1943. with the merging of the WAFS ( Womans Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron) and the WFTD (Woman’s Flying Training Detachment )
Under the umbrella of the Air Transport Command, these experienced women pilots were trained to fly all types of aircraft. Their jobs were to ferry aircraft off the production lines to bases all over the nation.
With just over 1000 women pilots they logged more than 60 million miles, flying nearly 80 different aircraft types the WASP pilots reportedly delivered 12,650+ aircraft.
The importance of the WASP’s cannot be understated. Trained and based at Avenger Field in Sweetwater Texas and led by Jacqueline Cochran, Nancy Harkness Love and General Henry ” Hap” Arnold the Woman Airforce Service Pilots were integral to the war effort.
The insignia of the WASP’s the flying gremlin “Fifinella” was hand designed by Walt Disney Himself as a gift to the unit, Disney named and illustrated “Fifi ” in his own hand. Disney studios set in Burbank California often sent his artist to paint nose art or unit insignia to the nearby aircraft manufacturing facilities.
Created as a tribute piece, this represents a B-25 Mitchell light bomber emblazoned with “fif” the Gremlin. This panel was a way for me to show my admiration for the WASP pilots. Even though women were not allowed in combat during the war, these amazing and brilliant women stepped up at the time that America needed them most and became one of the most important gears in the war machine. In a male dominated field they faced incredible challenges to prove themselves, and that they did. With the exact same rigorous training as the male pilots, they succeeded in every aspect.
I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet and speak with three of these amazing woman at the Mid Atlantic Air museum’s WWII Weekend many years ago where they graciously offered to sign my” Fifi ” Panel. I was working at the show as a volunteer and living history re-enactor that weekend. That evening I ran to my car and raced home to to retrieve the panel in order to have them sign it the following day.
I can’t explain my level of excitement and awe to have met these three woman, whom were everything you would imagine them to be. Strong, confident, gracious, intelligent, talented and exceedingly kind.
You can clearly see the signatures of these three women ( listed below ) on the panel that has remained in my personal collection. One of many “Fifi” panels I have crafted over the years, this is the only one that was ever signed by representatives of the Women for whom it was meant to pay tribute.
In honor of :
Florence Shutsy Reynolds
Ethel Meyer Finley
V. Scott Bradley Goug
Fifenela
B-25 WASP “Fifinella “
Front view
