This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Sgt Mae Moss (MayDay)
to remember
Carl, Ann, 2d Lt.
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Contact Info
Last Address Fort Gordon, US Army Hospital, Augusta
Date of Passing Mar 20, 2008
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
"Celestial Flight"
~ WASP, Elizabeth MacKethan Magid
She is not dead -
But only flying higher,
Higher than she's flown before,
And earthly limitations
Will hinder her no more.
There is no service ceiling,
Or any fuel range,
And there is no anoxia,
Or need for engine change.
Thank God that now her flight can be
To heights her eyes had scanned,
Where she can race with comets,
And buzz the rainbow's span.
For she is universal
Like courage, love and hope,
And all free, sweet emotions
Of vast and godly scope.
And understand a pilot's Fate
Is not the thing she fears,
But rather sadness left behind,
Your heartbreak and your tears.
So all you loved ones, dry your eyes,
Yes, it is wrong that you should grieve,
For she would love your courage more,
And she would want you to believe
She is not dead.
You should have known
That she is only flying higher,
Higher than she's ever flown.
Other Comments:
Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) flew non-combat missions during World War II to free men for combat. Although the Air Force trained only about 1,200 WASP, they had an enormous impact on World War II aviation.
Women pilots assigned to the Air Transport Command ferried forty-three types of aircraft, including small primary trainers, the fastest fighters, heavy transports, and huge bombers, from factories to bases throughout the United States and Canada. They towed targets, took meteorologists up for weather observations, transported equipment, broke in engines, and flew as couriers.
WASP went through AAF Training Command primary, intermediate and advanced training at Avenger Field, Sweetwater, Texas. Their twenty-seven week curriculum was the same as that given to aviation cadets. They received additional transitional instruction at the air base to which they were assigned.
Although WASP were on Civil Service status, they were entitled to the privileges of officers when on an Army base and had to conform to military regulations when on duty. WASP wings were the standard AAF silver wings with a lozenge in the center.
The mascot on their patch was called Fifinella; she was cute, agile, and always ready to take up the flying challenge. This epitomized the spirit that was the WASP who served this country very well in a time of need. Their contributions are documented and stand for spirit that made this country the great nation we are.
Aircraft/Missile Information
General characteristics
* Crew: Two, pilot and radio operator/gunner * Length: 36 ft 9 in (11.2 m) * Wingspan: 49 ft 9 in (15.2 m) * Height: 14 ft 9 in (4.5 m) * Wing area: 422 ft² (39.2 m²) * Empty weight: 10,114 lb (4,588 kg) * Loaded weight: 13,674 lb (6,202 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 16,800 lb (7,600 kg) * Powerplant: 1× Wright R-2600 Cyclone radial engine, 1,900 hp (1,400 kW)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 294 mph (473 km/h) * Range: 1,200 miles (1,900 km) * Service ceiling 25,000 ft (7,600 m) * Rate of climb: 1,750 ft/min (8.9 m/s)
Armament
* 2 x 20 mm cannon in the wings * 2 x 0.30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns in the rear cockpit * Internal bay: 2,000 lb (900 kg) of bombs or 1x Mark 13-2 torpedo * Underwing hardpoints: 500 lb (225 kg) of bombs each
