A.T.A., Air Transport Auxiliary pilots wing

[zorgon]

Attached is a recent pick-up from an auction sale and yes, I paid dearly for it. The Allied ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) was a Civilian, non-combatant group which existed during the 2nd World War to shuttle aircraft around. The ATA acronym additionally stood for a few humorous things but the one I like is, "Anything To Anywhere". Of the approximately 1200+ pilots and engineers from 28 different countries, notably about 170 were women (nicknamed the Attagirls) and all pilots became progressively skilled in flying many dozens of different aircraft - sometimes with just simple reference to the Ferry Pilot's Notes; "The Blue Book", a generic operational manual which provided basic instructions for nearly all Allied aircraft or the era. There were about 16 centers from which the ATA operated, two of these where the pilots and senior staff were all women I believe. One hundred and seventy-three ATA aircrew lost their lives in accidents during the war.
I've posted this short, NFB video clip before but it's worth repeating in this context:

https://vimeo.com/162469503#at=0

For a more detailed video history, check out, A History of the A.T.A. from 2015:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txys1kBRkOw

While there is no provenance with the attached wing, it exhibits very fine and precise stitching which in reality shows more of a golden shade than depicted in the images. It retains a few clipped stitches suggesting it was perhaps removed from a uniform. In searching for related ATA wings on-line, it appears that the pilot wings were perhaps more frequently seen in bullion although there are many examples and variants of each.

Comments and other ATA insignia examples are encouraged to fluff out this thread.

Regards,
Wayne Logus

[Postwarden]

Further details as suggested.
The pilot's badge worn, a cap badge, a Flight Engineer's arm badge and an ATA Christmas card.

Jon

[Jeff Mc William]

A very underrated, skilful, and gallant group

[Postwarden]

A page from the logbook of an ATA woman pilot listing the types of aircraft she had flown, including seven different Marks of Spitfire. Quite outstanding.

Jon

[zorgon]

Thanks for the additions Jon - great images. I've read that some of the most experienced ladies had shuttled over 90 different aircraft during the period of the ATA and I'm sure the men had done the same. Yes Jeff, an underrated group for sure. What's equally amazing is in listening to the interviews, they took it all in stride and just part of the job.

I'm keeping my eyes open for a copy of the "Ferry Pilot's Notes". That would be a most revealing read; how to fly 120+ aircraft summarized with a page or so each as your instructions!

[Jeff Mc William]

Originally Posted by Postwarden

A page from the logbook of an ATA woman pilot listing the types of aircraft she had flown, including seven different Marks of Spitfire. Quite outstanding.

Jon

Yes Jon. Amazing. My types flown (from memory) are :
DH60 Moth Major, DH82 Tiger Moth, DH Chipmunk, Taylorcraft Auster, Auster Aiglet, Cessna 152, Fairchild Argus, Miles Magister, DH Hornet Moth, Currie WOT. Plus a few others I can't remember unless I dig my logbook out. No Spitfires Tho' !

Lovely wing Wayne, well done on the acquisition. Thanks for the info Gents. Regards Mark

[arrestingu]

My few bits !! Centre piece is an American female Pilots Wasp patch ....
All the best Steve

[Postwarden]

Steve,

Great collection. Like the Ferry Command wing.

Jon

[arrestingu]

Thanks Jon