Help Nella Keep the WASP Legacy Flying
Few aircraft tell a story as inspiring as “Nella,” the CAF’s AT-6 Texan dedicated to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II. Between June1943 and December 1944, Nella trained hundred of these trailblazing women at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas—the only all-female military flight training base in U.S. history.
Today, she proudly bears the signatures of former WASP pilots who have flown in her, has documentation for 9 WASP Cadets from 1943-44 and continues to share the WASP story at airshows and women-in-aviation events across the country.
Now, Nella needs help
installing her replacement engine - every
1,200 or so hours she requires an engine overhaul. Because she flies
over 200 hours per year thus making herself available to over 300
passengers, the overhaul is an every 5-6 year project. To start the
process the Squadron has already purchased a spare engine, thus
shortening the down time to “remove and replace”. All funds for
preparing the replacement engine have been secured. All that’s
needed is funding for specialized labor, tools and ancillary parts -
the final $10,000 for this $140,000 project
The replacement will be complete in 2026, so that she can take the next step to keep her safely flying for years to come.
Your support, both now and in the past, helps preserve this powerful symbol of courage, equality, and service.
Donate today to keep Nella and the legacy of the WASP soaring high.
ABOUT 12 PLANES OF CHRISTMAS
Each year the CAF holds an annual fundraiser to help support and highlight aircraft projects for planes in need of restoration, maintenance or repairs. Donors may contribute to a specific aircraft project or to the CAF’s Restoration Grant Fund.
Don’t want to donate online?
Call 877-767-7175,
ext. 105 or mail check to: CAF Headquarters, P.O. Box 764769, Dallas,
TX, 75376
The Restoration Grant Fund
The Restoration Grant
Fund is a dollar-for-dollar match program created to help aircraft
projects with the most need get back into the air faster.
Giving to a Specific Aircraft Project
If you
have a particular affinity for an airplane, you can make a direct
contribution to the aircraft.
Perks
- 0 claimed
- 24 remaining
What Grandma Did is a children's book by Erin Miller about her
grandmother, Elaine Harmon, a World War II Women Airforce Service
Pilot (WASP).
The book tells the story of how Harmon, one of the first women
to fly for the U.S. Army, served by ferrying planes and towing
targets for training.
It highlights the courage and contributions of the WASP, a group
whose service was kept secret for decades.
- Story: The book is inspired by a childhood memory where Miller discovered a photo of her grandmother on an airplane wing and learned about her secret service during WWII.
- Subject: It introduces children to the history of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), who flew military aircraft during the war.
- Themes: The book explores themes of history, leadership, courage, and intergenerational learning.
published in 2021 48 pages
- 1 claimed
- 24 remaining
This uniquely numbered WASP Squadron challenge coin is in honor of Nella’s 80th anniversary. It is a symbol for the WASP And an opportunity for you to have recognition for the support you have given to both the WASP legacy and Nella.
- 0 claimed
Take a 20 minute ride in Nella, at any of the Tour stops that she
will make in 2026 through 2027. This gives you an option of over
thirty locations. The schedule will be published in early 2026. The
link is listed below
The gift will be an emailed gift certificate that you may use
yourself or offer to another, It will expire January 1, 2028.
All passengers will need to be at least 12 years old.
You have the opportunity to be a permanent Sponsor for Nella. As part of the commemorative Air Force Sponsorship program, you will receive permanent recognition as well as a plaque, recognizing your support.
Sponsorships may be designated in the name of another person to honor them.
All sponsorships are kept in perpetuity as long as the CAF owns the aircraft.
CAF sponsorships are never dissolved or dismissed. A sponsor will always be memorialized for their donation to a particular aircraft. This remains true even when an aircraft is reassigned within the CAF.
The sponsorship being offered here as a perk, is an aircraft sponsorshiip. CAF qualified/ approved pilots of Nella, who are sponsors, are able to fly Nella, at a discounted rate.
An email with instructions will be sent within 48 hours of your donation.
Highlights
See all activity6- 0 claimed
- 24 remaining
What Grandma Did is a children's book by Erin Miller about her
grandmother, Elaine Harmon, a World War II Women Airforce Service
Pilot (WASP).
The book tells the story of how Harmon, one of the first women
to fly for the U.S. Army, served by ferrying planes and towing
targets for training.
It highlights the courage and contributions of the WASP, a group
whose service was kept secret for decades.
- Story: The book is inspired by a childhood memory where Miller discovered a photo of her grandmother on an airplane wing and learned about her secret service during WWII.
- Subject: It introduces children to the history of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), who flew military aircraft during the war.
- Themes: The book explores themes of history, leadership, courage, and intergenerational learning.
published in 2021 48 pages
- 1 claimed
- 24 remaining
This uniquely numbered WASP Squadron challenge coin is in honor of Nella’s 80th anniversary. It is a symbol for the WASP And an opportunity for you to have recognition for the support you have given to both the WASP legacy and Nella.
- 0 claimed
Take a 20 minute ride in Nella, at any of the Tour stops that she
will make in 2026 through 2027. This gives you an option of over
thirty locations. The schedule will be published in early 2026. The
link is listed below
The gift will be an emailed gift certificate that you may use
yourself or offer to another, It will expire January 1, 2028.
All passengers will need to be at least 12 years old.
You have the opportunity to be a permanent Sponsor for Nella. As part of the commemorative Air Force Sponsorship program, you will receive permanent recognition as well as a plaque, recognizing your support.
Sponsorships may be designated in the name of another person to honor them.
All sponsorships are kept in perpetuity as long as the CAF owns the aircraft.
CAF sponsorships are never dissolved or dismissed. A sponsor will always be memorialized for their donation to a particular aircraft. This remains true even when an aircraft is reassigned within the CAF.
The sponsorship being offered here as a perk, is an aircraft sponsorshiip. CAF qualified/ approved pilots of Nella, who are sponsors, are able to fly Nella, at a discounted rate.
An email with instructions will be sent within 48 hours of your donation.
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