WASP of World War Two

WASP, Women Airforce Service Pilots, were an integral part of the United States war effort in World War 2. Tasked with the delivery of aircraft of all types within the continental United States, the WASP program was a highly visible component of the integration of women into the American military.

Women who had obtained a private pilots license were eligible for the WASP program. Once accepted, the volunteers went through the same Basic, Primary and Advanced Flight Training as their male cadet counterparts in the Army Air Force. Upon graduation, the WASP (WASP is correct for singular or plural use, as the "P" stands for the plural "Pilots") was awarded her coveted pilot's wings, which were silver with a silver diamond in the middle.

Aircraft flown by WASP members were numerous, including the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses, Consolidated B-24 Liberators, Martin B-26 Marauders, Lockheed P-38 Lightnings, Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, and many, many more.

The photograph on the left depicts four WASP on the tarmac beside a Martin B-26 medium attack-bomber. The high-performance Martin was initially known among the USAAF pilots as "The Widow Maker" due to accidents early in the production cycle, and due to the marriage of "green" flight crews to such a "hot" aircraft. The WASP crews, however, did not balk at flying this outstanding aircraft which would go on to have the lowest loss ratio of any U.S. bomber flown over Europe. 

The photograph on the right is of the founder and director of the WASP program, Jacqueline Cochran, in the cockpit of a Curtiss P-40 fighter. Ms. Cochran first earned her pilots license in 1932, and went on to accomplish numerous aviation achievements and records throughout her storied life.

In between the photographs are mounted an authentic reproduction WASP uniform insignia, a patch depicting the official WASP mascot, "Fifinella", and reproduction WASP pilot wings.

The finished piece measures 31" x 13". The photographs are matted in dark olive green, with descriptive captions below. The objects are matted in plum, in a shadow-box-like cutout. The frame is black metal (other colors are available. Contact us for info). Please see the "Frame Info" tab for complete information on how we frame our artwork. Item price includes ground shipping to the continental U.S.

For each "WASP of World War Two" sold, a donation will be made to the National WASP WWII Museum at Avenger Field, Texas.