Mary Ellis – ATA Spitfire pilot dies.
Mary Ellis died on Tuesday at the age of 101. She has the distinction to be one of the Glamour Girls of the ATA.
Mary Ellis blazed a trail for female aviators, as one of the first women to fly Spitfires, heavy bombers and jet aircraft.
She was a member of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), which employed civilians to deliver planes from factories to airfields during the Second World War.
If you find the time, here are a few videos about her amazing career. What an amazingly full life she had.
This is just wonderful to watch. What an exceptional group of women without whom the war may very well have turned for the worse.
Category: Politics
Awesome women that freed men up to fight… and they did something that I’ve dreamed about since I was a young boy – flying a Supermarine Spitfire.
RIP Mary Ellis – thank you and the other “Glamour Girls” for your service.
“something that I’ve dreamed about since I was a young boy – flying a Supermarine Spitfire”
You can fly their Mustang for $$
https://www.collingsfoundation.org/flight-experiences/
Not sure of thier Spitfire though.
https://www.collingsfoundation.org/aircrafts/supermarine-spitfire-mk-ix/
The B-17 and B-24 are fun flights.
“Panchito,” a Mitchell B-25 is a common sight here at Pax River, and not just for air shows. Navy Test Pilot School gets some cool rides to train on, and Panchito is one. A few of my fellow Active Duty Aircrew bubbas have even managed to log Observer Time in it, the bastards.
*envy*
I’d have flown with her any time. Fair winds and following seas, Aviatrix.
Those women flew without any air controllers assisting them, without radar, in all weather, under all conditions including dense fogs, and occasionally had to ditch the plane because the landing gear wouldn’t function.
They were the toughest pilots you could ask for. And they did it because it gave them a chance to fly. Yes, the war and the Blitz were part of it, but they flew everything, including delivering the bombers to airfields.
All those flight hours- they would have counted coup for real, given the chance. The Russians had no problems with women flying in combat.
They also flew unarmed. Later on, after attacks from German aircraft, they flew fully armed so they had a defence capability. The legendary Amy Johnson lost her life ferrying one such aircraft after she became lost in adverse weather. Some stories say she was shot down because she gave a wrong recognition signal when asked. Her body was never found however Lt Cmdr Walter Fletcher died in his attempted rescue effort
From what I read, none were shot down due to enemy action. Have never read of friendly fire issues, but they happened.
Rest in Peace, and thank you for all you did.
Rest in peace dear Lady.
I will never forget my high school science teacher, Grace B Mayfield. She flew P-38’s over to England during the war. She was my first flight instructor and got me hooked on flying! She was a wonderful women and a great teacher! Sorry most of them are now gone….
RIP
My neighbor as a child was a Thunderbolt pilot and went on to be a teacher as well. I got older and he taught my Driver Ed course.
Said things like “always focus on the horizon and the rest will take care of itself”.
That thread about veterans not doing well as employees is bullshit. Just look at what our parents and grand parents went on to acommplish.
One of my most memorable instructors was a retired CG pilot. He was rated to fly everything the CG had and was fearless. His confidence and ability was inspirational. The other most memorable had been an ATA pilot. She, too, was smooth, precise, and commanding. When I met her she was an FAA Designated Examiner.
Hehe, if I never remember any of my high school science teachers I’ll consider it a blessing from God and remain thankful for faded memories 🙂
What an amazing woman….what an amazing life.