Fly-In Program to honor World War II Women Airforce Service Pilots

Local woman reunited with bomber she last flew in WWII.

It was 1943, and the World was at War. A 21 year  old secretary for Standard Oil in Seattle wanted to do her part for the war effort and her country. Hearing of a new program founded by famous aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran, Marge Martin (nee Neyman) cashed in her > War Bonds, left her job, and set off to become a WASP.

The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) performed state-side, non-combat flying duties in order to free as many men as possible for combat flying assignments. The ladies flew every type of aircraft available, from the PT-17 Trainer to the giant Boeing B-29 bomber, carrying out a wide variety of missions, from towing targets to ferrying planes, parts and personnel.

    Marge and other World War II WASPs will be participating in a salute to the WASPs at the  North West Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-In at Arlington, Wa. July 7-11, 1999. Come hear the fabulous stories of how 1000 American Women were chosen out of over 25,000 applicants, the obstacles  they had to overcome, and life as a young woman in a man's world in the middle of the greatest conflict in human history.

    During Marge's wartime service, she got checked out in B-25 "Mitchell"  medium bombers,  the plane Jimmy Doolittle used to bomb   Tokyo from the Aircraft Carrier "Hornet" just two years before. Owner Jim Morgan and Pilot Jeff Wright will bring the B-25J named "Super Rabbit" to   Arlington to join in the celebration, and to bring Marge together with the   plane she last flew over 50 years ago. The "'Rabbit" is a war veteran in it's  own right, having served in the US Army Air Corps in the Pacific in 1945,   the USAF, the RCAF, and  the Bolivian Air Force.

"Super Rabbit" will fly just prior to the daily  Air Shows on Friday and Saturday, July 9 & 10, and limited opportunities for press ride-alongs  do exist.

    In addition, Seattle's Cascade Warbird Squadron expects to have over a  dozen World War II  era aircraft participating in the  show.

  For further information on the Arlington Fly-in, or to obtain Press credentials needed for flying opportunities, please contact Barbara Lawrence at (360) 435-5857, or by E-Mail at:   nweaa@nweaa.org.