Viking1066
Brigadier General
WAC (LIFE Magazine) the net
Picture of the day (general).... (7 Viewers)
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Those are not WASPs, but non aviator WACs, likely at some wartime public event like a Bond Drive, getting a close look at an Aeronca TG-5 training glider, used to initially train Waco CG-4 invasion glider pilots. These were 3-seat conversions from standard two seat civilian light plane designs, more commonly used as L-3 liaison craft by the services.
The Army and Marines initially used existing or adapted two place sport sailplanes for training but found 1) their performance was far better than troop gliders, thus not really comparative; 2) small glider manufacturers weren't set up to produce in the quantities needed with demands for 8000 troop glider pilots; and 3) the light plane variants were likely to cost less, generally 3/4 of sailplane two place cost.
Conversions were made based not only the Aeronca L-3 design, but Taylorcraft L-2 (TG-6) and Piper Cub L-4 (TG-8). A new nose structure was added with a third seat replacing the engine to shift the CG; shorter landing gear like the cargo gliders; addition of spoilers for descent control; and added fin area for aero balance with longer nose. Flown solo only from front seat and would calculate CG if two were aboard.
Most sold surplus post war were adapted as light plane trainers, and a few retained the spoilers, finding them useful.
Viking1066
Brigadier General
Swedish Junkers the net
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The entire Junkers fleet of the Rijksluchtvaartschool in one photo 1946-1949 the net
Viking1066
Brigadier General
WAAF at RAF Duxford, SEPT 1940 the net
Good stuff!
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Viking1066
Brigadier General
POTEZ 452 photo 4 the net
Viking1066
Brigadier General
Single-seat version derived from the potez 452. Only a prototype was built. First flight on September 24, 1935 the net
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Brigadier General
WAFS Barbara London and Evelyn Sharp with P-51 Mustang the net
Those are WASP uniforms, not WAF gear. Santiago Blue in color and including skirt or slacks and belted blazer, beret, white shirt and tie. WASPs were the only women in WWII to have berets. Black leather purse was one of the first 'over the shoulder' bags. Official uniform hardware included WASP Wings, prop & wings, Army Air Force patch and the W.A.S.P. hardware on the lapel.
In 1943, the WASP's fashion-conscious Director, Jacqueline Cochran, convinced Gen Hap Arnold that the girl pilots should have their own uniforms. His comment: "They should be BLUE".
Cochran, together with the fashion designers at Bergdorf Goodman in New York, designed a uniform for the approval of Gen Hap Arnold and Gen George C. Marshall. Two sample uniforms were made: one with the olive drab wool material and one with a 'classy' Santiago blue wool gabardine, which coincidentally resembles a color now called "Air Force Blue."
A gorgeous French model was selected to model the blue uniform, and a random Quartermaster Corps clerk was recruited to model the olive drab uniform.
The Generals chose the blue uniform, and it became the official WASP uniform. Neiman Marcus fashion coordinators from Dallas personally fitted each girl for her uniform before her class graduated from training.
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