INTRODUCTION

Today, the story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) is becoming well known 80 years after the fact. Continuing to spread the story/legacy is the duty carried out by Nella.  “Nella” is the name assigned to  Commemorative Air Force (CAF) WASP Squadron’s AT-6 that has had the honor of flying over a dozen of these women, both as cadets and as retired graduates.
The name “Nella” refers to the WASP mascot, a Disney gremlin named “Fifinella”.  Her name often adds depth to the WASP story, as she is tours with the CAF’s B29 “Fifi”

is often referred to by current women in aviation 

The WASP, their Legacy and the plane that several flew while cadets, named “Nella” after the WASP mascot Fifinella, is briefly represented in the gallery and the  introductory video.

Look at the Gallery at the top of this page

The gallery is a sample of Nella’s and the Squadron’s activity;

more info is available at WASP Squadron website

Squadron members receive a monthly update on activities; membership is available at the website

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram as CAF WASP Squadron

See the Gallery image by image: 

1. 1. 1. 1. The video shows one 13 year old’s reaction to flying in Nella
         2. One young man waits his turn to fly while his brother is on board to ride
         3. The artist is a young woman, capturing Nella for the crew at the event
         4. Children all want to take a look
         5. Nella returns to Avenger Field, twice this year (short video with radial engine sound)
         6. Attendees at annual ground school gather with Nella
         7. Pilot Savannah checks out Nella
         8. Nella was there at WASP Homecoming, but out of sight, while Officers, Elaine Webb and Jordan Drischler visit with WASP Nell Bright’s daughter
         9. Visitors came to ride in Nella, and do a reenactment of a WASP cadet photo 
         10. Nella flies averaging 225 hours per year for the past 3 years
         11. Nell Bright, 43-W-7, with a print of Nella   A gift from the Squadron, for her birthday this year, she recognized Nella immediately with the comment “I flew this plane”.
         12. Nell and 6 other WASP have flown Nella and signed her luggage compartment; this year Nella spread the ashes of WASP Jean “Jeep” Harman 44-W-9 at Avenger Field during the WASP Museum’s annual Homecoming
         13. Pilots Sandy and Savannah after a day of welcoming, story telling and flying Nella
         14. Children appear everywhere to touch and be with Nella
             1. First at 5, and now 9 years old, always dressed as a WASP, we saw her 3 times this year. She aspires to fly the B-29 Fifi. She (her mother) invited Nella to the Bartlesville OK Flyin which was originally started by WASP Mary Regalbuto Jones; Mary was also the first woman to serve on the American Airlines Board of Directors.
         15. The picture that is used most often to introduce Nella, taken at Oshkosh in 2017, with WASP Jane Doyle in the rear seat
         16. Nella in formation with the CAF Tuskegee P-51 
         17. Nella delivered a Squadron Commemorative Challenge Coin to the WASP Museum for their opening a new exhibit.
         18. Nella as the representative of all AT-6's; this is from Wikipedia
         19. December 16, 2923: Nella goes to the Independence Bowl to do a flyover as part of the recognition of the WASP at halftime 

What else:

• children are everywhere, learning, touching and imagining their future as pilots (there are so many pictures but all  require permission to be published)
• The care of Nella by pilots and Squadron members that goes on continuously - they are not very interestingMISSION

MISSION

The WASP Squadron operates Nella, as part of fulfilling its mission to Honor the legacy of the WASP, Educate others on their accomplishments and Inspire the next generation  to achieve success, possibly in aviation. Each appearance and every Squadron pilot tells the story,  contributing to the success of that mission.

The WASP were innovators, and created evidence for those that followed that they could accomplish what they set their minds to. This evidence is needed for the vast majority where the phrase “you can’t be what you can’t see” applies.   This phrase is attributed to Marian Wright Edelman, the founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF). In the mid-1960s, Edelman was the first Black woman admitted to the Mississippi bar.

The WASP Squadron continues to produce more evidence of women in aviation through research and connecting with the public, throughout the year, therefore reinforcing and spreading the Legacy of the WASP  

The NEED

An engine overhaul of 12 months  duration is required UNLESS a second plane or engine is available in late 2025 

Nella has become well known, she is in demand, consistently flying 250 per year, accommodating at least 325  passengers and a dozen event appearances  

She is busy, she attracts crowds.  She is well maintained mechanically, with ongoing preventative actions and upgrades, and further  attention to appearance and safety  

She needs to continue to spread the WASP story, with public appearances and participation in WASP events. If she were to have prolonged downtime, Nella's audience would be lost, interest would go elsewhere, and she would miss interaction with young achievers and potential aviators.  

A significant engine issue that  would cause her to be set down for a prolonged period would have a similar impact  

The SOLUTION

Have a second engine ready to be installed when needed.

Creating the second engine (there is nothing “off the shelf”) means sourcing the best possible parts and assembling them to create what is needed. The cost of the project, is estimated at $100,000  

PROGRESS
in 2024, The Squadron committed $15,000 to secure an engine core. It has been sent for assessment to determine what is required next.

Financially, the Squadron has managed Nella’s  time and rates, to minimize unpaid flight hours, while simultaneously managing expenses for maintenance and all Squadron activities, and currently has more than half of the funds needed for a second engine  ($50,000) 

Donations have also contributed to plans for a second engine. The 2025 season will contribute more ($25,000) 

ALTERNATIVES

PLAN A: be in line at the overhaul shop that gives Nella the shortest possible down time - COMPLETED 

PLAN B: secure a sister aircraft, with Nella-like credentials, that would take over while she is being overhauled. No known aircraft of this description is available.