The First 8

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“Always Terrified Airwomen” introduces Pauline Gower, a woman willing to fight for female pilots and the first eight women that she employed. In September 1939, the Air Transport Auxiliary was created by Gerard d’Erlanger for male pilots who were deemed unfit to fly in the RAF (“Hidden Heros”), however female pilots were not allowed to fly in the ATA. Pauline Gower proposed that a women’s section should be established in ATA which Gerard d’Erlanger and, Director General of Civil Aviation Sir Francis Shelmerdine approved, with much apprehension. Gower interviewed 12 women in Whitchurch before selecting Winifred Crossley, Margaret Fairweather, Rosemary Rees, Marion Wilberforce, Margaret Cunnison, Gabrielle Patterson, Mona Friedlander and Joan Hughes (“Under the Radar”). There was no surprise when there were less than favourable responses from the general public, particularly men, when they heard that female pilots would be helping with the war effort. However, Gower only saw this as an audience to stand up to (“Pauline Gower Intro Song”). Gower was not going to allow any man to tell her that she was incapable of doing something she loved (“Not Fading Away”). Eventually, the women were given more tasks, which increased ten-fold during the Battle of Britain (“Evacuate the shores of Dunkirk”, “Battle for Britain”). Although the women were continuously undermined and under-appreciated they all understood that this fight for equality was much bigger than them alone. It was their story and fight, and they were not backing down (“You don’t know this girl”).

Endless work and campaigning eventually saw some progress when Air Marshal Courtney allowed Gower to employ more women due to a low number of male pilots (“Low On Pilots”). These new female pilots, all 18, needed to be given comprehensive teaching (“Eat, learn, fly, sleep, repeat”). Gower was not satisfied with 26 employed female pilots, especially with the limitations that were placed on only the women (“More”). By 1941, the women were constantly pressuring ATA to give them permission to fly Hurricanes and other four-engine bombers, (“Time for us to teach them”). August 1941, the beginning of a new chapter, Margaret Fairweather took the controls of a Supermarine Spitfire (“Our Spitfire Girl”). As more women flew larger twin-engine aircraft, they campaigned to fly operational aircraft (“Frozen In Time”). Due to Gower’s consistent commitment to the female division of ATA, Gower was listed in the 1942 New Year’s Honours for her work in aviation (“Our New Year’s Honours Day”). As the division expanded the girls spread across multiple airbases (“From me to you”). Joan Hughes admired Gower and was as equally determined to continue the expansion of the division and their restrictions removed (“What’s the Difference?”). Both Margaret Fairweather and her husband, Douglas were pilots and often enjoyed comparing their journeys (“A Fairweather’sDay”). Lettice Curtis was the first woman to fly a four-engine bomber at the end of 1941 (“One Heart and Two Eyes”).

Act 2

The New Year’s Honours of 1943 saw several of the ATA administration receive CBE’s and MBE’s (“No more words/New Year’s Honours Day 1943”). Thanks to Lettice Curtis, more women were given the opportunity to train on the four-engine bombers (“We’re The Girls Tonight”). As the women progressed through the ranks and the restrictions were lifted they successfully fought for equal pay (“Look At Us/Equal Pay”). In 1943 the women division of ATA proudly marched behind the RAF through London (“We March Too”). Gower was very pleased to welcome a contingent of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force from the United States (“Welcome, Welcome, Welcome”). 1944 saw the death of Douglas Fairweather, only weeks after the birth of his daughter Elizabeth (“Your Daughter”). June 1944 was D-Day (“Defenceless”). Three months later in August, Margaret Fairweather was involved in a plane crash that left her with fatal injuries. The first eight women were very close and celebrated her life (“Margaret Fairweather”). As a figment of imagination Margaret then talked to her daughter Elizabeth, reassuring her that she will always be there (“Ghost of You”).

On 21 February 1945 ATA bore their record for the number of planes ferried in one day (“Just One Kind”). Shortly after this Gower marries Douglas Fahie (“Wedding”), a welcome joyous celebration (“Flying High”). 2 September 1945 saw the end of World War 2, celebrated by the whole country (“The End of the War”). After the war the majority of the women found jobs as pilots for smaller private and commercial operations (“More/Never Fading Away”). ATA propelled female aviation forward during the war however, much of this progress was lost after the war and their stories have been forgotten. This musical endeavours to be a memorial for these women, their stories and the battles they fought both on the ground and in the air (“Memorial”).