Celebrating, sharing tales of aviation days gone by

RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Eleanor Wadsworth, a former Air Transport Auxilliary 3rd officer and pilot, spoke at an event Oct. 13 at Building 809. Mrs. Wadsworth was joined at the event by fellow speakers Peter George, a former ATA first officer, and Richard Poad from Maidenhead Heritage Centre. During her days as a pilot, Mrs. Wadsworth was based at Ratcliffe, Leicestershire, and served in the ATA from June 1, 1943, to Sept. 30, 1945. She flew 22 different types of aircraft, including Spitfires and Hurricanes. Mr. George, also based at Ratcliffe, flew more than 70 different kinds of aircraft including Lancaster bombers, which he flew into RAF Mildenhall, and Spitfires. The audience at the "Women in Aviation" event, listening to Mrs. Wadsworth regale stories of her flying days, included female pilots currently serving in the 351st Air Refueling Squadron, two of whom are squadron commanders. "Flying a Spitfire was a privilege," said Mrs. Wadsworth. (U.S. Air Force photo/Karen Abeyasekere)