THE ORIGINALS: The Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron of World War II by Sarah Byrn Rickman

Twenty-eight women pilots -- ages 21 to 35, with at least 500 hours cockpit time, commercial licenses and a 200-horsepower engine rating -- answered the call of their country in the fall of 1942 and joined the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS). Though they never left continental North America, the contribution of these 28 women would help turn the tide in the favor of the Allies.

Their original assignment was to ferry small single-engine trainer and liaison-type aircraft and, thereby, release male pilots for combat duty. Before long, they were also ferrying high-powered fighter and bomber aircraft -- P-47s, P-38s, P-51s and even the "Flying Fortress" B-17 bomber -- from coast to coast.

Nancy Harkness Love, age 28, whose idea it was to use women for ferrying duties, was director under the Ferrying Division of the Air Transport Command, U.S. Army Air Forces. Here is the story of the political maneuvering they had to contend with, grueling schedules, sacrifices, even lost lives.

Through years of extensive research, access to diaries, letters and personal papers, as well as interviews with these WAFS still living, Sarah Byrn Rickman finally tells the story of these incredible women. Their names are listed on the website below. Many were, and some still are, members of The Ninety-Nines.

Sarah is a former journalist who has also written and done television work for IWASM (International Women's Air and Space Museum), Cleveland, Ohio.

Published:	Disc-Us Books, Inc. - 2000
Price:	$32.95 Hardcover $24.95 Softcover
ISBN:	Hardcover - 1-58444-263-8 Softcover -1-58444-264-6
This book can be purchased from:	www.disc-us.com/originals.htm