Description
Object description
South African civilian officer served as pilot with Air Transport Auxiliary at No 15 Ferry Pool ATA Hamble in GB, 1940-1945; served with Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in GB, 1948-1954
Content description
REEL 1 Recollections of civilian flying experience in South Africa, 1937-1938: childhood interest in flying; reaction to first flight; learning to fly aged 15; story of parachute jump, Pretoria, 1938; first solo flight; attitude of instructor towards her intention to become a pilot. Recollections of training at Aeronautical College, Witney, GB, 1938-1939: initial impressions of GB; public attitude towards women pursuing pre-dominantly male careers; training; female trainee engineers at college.
REEL 2 Continues: medicals; attitude of male students towards her; navigation; types of aircraft; training; joining Civil Air Guard and receiving subsidies towards training, 1939. Recollections of period as aircraftwoman with Women's Auxiliary Air Force in GB, 11/1939-6/1940: attitude towards 'domestic' duties; basic training; training as radar operator at RAF Bawdsey; duties. Recollections of period as pilot with Air Transport Auxiliary at No 15 Ferry Pool ATA Hamble in GB, 1940-1945: joining Air Transport Auxiliary, 6/1940; first flight; class background of other female pilots.
REEL 3 Continues: flight to Scotland; duties; posting to No 15 Ferry Pool ATA at Hamble; types of aircraft flown; attitude towards flying Supermarine Spitfire; flying accidents and fatalities; accident committees; physical requirements of job; attitude of male pilots towards female pilots.
REEL 4 Continues: attitude of male pilots towards female pilots; training to fly twin engined aircraft; training in how to fly and land aircraft with technical problems; various postings; relationships between female pilots; billets; VE Day, 8/5/1945; instruction on baling out; pay; visiting family in South Africa; marriage; continuing flying duties whilst pregnant; relationships between female pilots; duties.
REEL 5 Continues: attitude towards flying with Air Transport Auxiliary; leaving Air Transport Auxiliary, 12/1945. Studying and examination for commercial pilots license in GB, 1945-1948. Recollections of period with Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve in GB, 1948-1954: flight test; Royal Air Force 'Wings' course, 1953; obtaining her Royal Air Force 'wings'; helping to train new male recruits; meeting Douglas Bader at Prestwick.
REEL 6 Continues: flying jet aircraft; attempting to fly through the sound barrier; press coverage; attitude of Royal Air Force towards her success; flying North American Sabre; attitude of Royal Air Force towards women pilots; being awarded Coronation Medal, 1953; disbandment of Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 1954; refusal of Royal Air Force to employ women pilots.