Steve Rose, one of our members, has volunteered to make a presentation on his trip to the WASP 80th Anniversary celebration in Sweetwater, TX, last month. He flew aboard a famous C-47 (“That’s All Brother”) which was the lead aircraft of the D-Day paratrooper operation at Normandy. Below is an article on it.
Sweetwater, TX, (April 21, 2022)- The National WASP WWII Museum is celebrating 80 years of the WASP program on April 29 – 30 at Avenger Field, the training grounds for most of the WASP. To best honor America’s first females to fly military aircraft, the Museum is recreating a wartime party scene complete with WASP reenactors, a live big band, good food, and aircraft.
On Friday, we invite you to attend our 80th WASP Birthday Bash Ball. Proceeds from this evening will benefit the Museum’s plan for all-new exhibits in Hangar 2, a 1929 hangar that served as the first airport for the city of Sweetwater. Come dressed in your best 1940s evening wear or modern cocktail attire.
On Saturday, the WASP flight line will once again hold their training aircraft including fourteen BT-13s, many AT-6s, and other wonderful World War II aircraft including the B-25 Yellow Rose, the DC-3, the Corsair, and P-51 Glamorous Glen. All-female crews will be in attendance with Navy and Air Force aircraft. Visitors may even spot an Army helicopter or a Marine aircraft.
Visitors will enjoy many other activities including the opening of two exhibits: a permanent exhibit on the American history of Black Pilots by historian Monica Smith and a special temporary exhibit of John and Marie Clark, B-17, and WASP pilots respectively (courtesy of the Yankee Air Museum). Other activities include author signings, featured speakers, and our Cadet Zone filled with activities for the kids. Saturday’s fly-in and activities are free. If you are planning on flying your aircraft to Avenger Field, KSWW, please let us know at coleclark@waspmuseum.org to register your aircraft and receive additional information.
