The first training plane was the Tiger Moth

Female Pilots who became known as the ATA Girls

"One of the many notable achievements of these women is that they received the same pay as men of equal rank in the ATA, starting in 1943"  Lord Beaverbrook

MM

During WWII, women pilots were restricted to non-combat aircraft, ferrying personnel, mail and medical supplies. By 1941, they were ferrying  all types of aircraft, including Hurricanes, Spitfires and the huge Lancaster bombers between airbases, freeing much needed combat pilots for combat duty.  Fifteen women lost their lives in the air, the first was British pioneer aviator Amy Johnson. Helen Kerly received a commendation for bravery, she landed a Spitfire with technical difficulties.

MM

In an age when women were generally considered best suited to the kitchen, these formidable women pilots broke into the all-male world of military flying, soaring above the flying establishment. After the war ended, equal pay ended too!

"It is right that we have recognition for those women Spitfire pilots who did so much to protect and defend airports and other military services during the war"

Gordon Brown, Prime Minister, 2008

Photo: IWM/Wikimedia • Believed to be in the Public Domain (Crown Copyright expired)