A history of the A.T.A.

[@ivanlussich8146]

I am from Uruguay. Several decades ago I met a Uruguayan gent of British ascent who was trained as a Spitfire pilot in Canada (RAF, WW2). I don't know if he ever saw actual combat. He did come back and was a prominent personality in the Anglo-Uruguayan community. His name was John Hyland. I have no record of Uruguayan female ferry pilots though.

[@chrishopewynne2845]

They don’t make them like this these days..indomitable,softly spoken,well bred ladies,Loyal Leading Lionesses,Resolute steely personalities,loving challenge in the face of obvious danger…Bless Them and All Their Kind.

[@pistolpete8376]

My great uncle flew and died flying for the ATA. It's really amazing how many planes they ferried. According to the book I have (Brief Glory by E.C. Cheesman), they ferried 309,011 planes from '40 to '45, clocking in a total of 742,614 hours flown. For context, the amount of planes in the luftwaffe around its height was around 120,000! Hope they are remembered fondly.

[@baward]

Thanks for your sensitive comments about your late great uncle. I will try and check out the Cheesman book you mention. Regards, Ben

[@brieneaton8578]

There are TWO Lanks flying. One in the U.K. and one in Canada. Hamilton Ontario to be exact.

[@WilHenDavis]

Nice job! Thanks for sharing! :)

[@carlossobarzo904]

La chilena Margot Duhalde (1920-2018) y la argentina Maureen Dunlop (1920-2012) fueron las únicas mujeres pilotos sudamericanas que formaron parte del A.T.A. ambas sobrevivieron a la guerra, luego Maureen Dunlop se transformó en piloto comercial en su país, mientras estuvo en el A.T.A. voló 38 modelos diferentes de aeronaves. La chilena Margot Duhalde después de la guerra ingresó a la fuerza aerea francesa y se convirtió en la primera mujer piloto de combate de Francia, luego regresó a Chile y se convirtió en piloto comercial y luego en cotroladora aérea, celebró su cumpleaños número 80 saltando por primera vez en paracaidas, falleció con mas de 90 años en el 2018, mientras estuvo en el A.T.A. transportó mas de 900 aviones de mas de 60 modelos diferentes

[@baward]

Thank you! English translation: The Chilean Margot Duhalde (1920-2018) and the Argentine Maureen Dunlop (1920-2012) were the only South American female pilots who were part of the A.T.A. both survived the war, then Maureen Dunlop became a commercial pilot in her country while in the A.T.A. flew 38 different models of aircraft. The Chilean Margot Duhalde after the war joined the French air force and became the first female fighter pilot in France, then returned to Chile and became a commercial pilot and then an air controller, she celebrated her 80th birthday by jumping for the first time in parachute, she passed away with more than 90 years in 2018, while she was in the ATA transported more than 900 aircraft of more than 60 different models

[@barrywhitley2535]

Excellent documentary.

[@baward]

Barry Whitley thank you, I agree!

[@bruceghent8776]

You forgot the CWH Lancaster in Canada.

[@toniweimer8291]

Thanks!!! Great info

[@MagnarNordal]

A great documentary! I recommend you to read "Fly and deliver" ISBN-10: 0906393175. It was written by Hugh Bergel, one of the pilots in ATA.

[@baward]

Thank you, I will track down a copy!

[@skylongskylong1982]

Is there a list of the nationalities who flew in the ATA ? As a ex member of the Royal Observer Corps we will never forget you.

[@baward]

Good question, you might have to search online for this info.

[@PeterPan-iz1kk]

The Lanc sure bombed a lot of homes. So I guess you might call it "a household name".

[@kenlodge3399]

In the US the WASPs were formed so at least women got some flight time in that way. Guess the old Brits were still too misogynistic to let that happen eh!

[@kumasenlac5504]

Women of the ATA were delivering aircraft of all types before the USA even bothered to get involved in WW2.