Molly Rose
As we approach the 11 November thought I would remember someone who lived through the war and died last month age 95.
Molly Rose, was a pilot in the wartime Air Transport Auxiliary and became one of the “Spitfire Women” when she delivered 273 of the fighters from aircraft factories to RAF units.
Already a qualified pilot, she joined the ATA in September 1942, flying light aircraft such as the Tiger Moth before advancing to more powerful single-engine aircraft. As she became more experienced, she started flying the Hurricane fighter and then the Spitfire (“a thrilling moment”). For much of her service she flew from Hamble airfield, an all-female unit near Southampton.
On some days she flew three or four different types of aircraft. Before flying a new type the pilots read aircraft notes and used a detailed checklist before starting up. They flew without radios, and many airfields were camouflaged and difficult to find.
She also delivered twin-engine aircraft such as the Anson and the Hudson, before she started flying the Wellington bomber, and she mastered the Beaufighter and Mosquito, aircraft which many pilots found a handful. As the war progressed she transferred to the more advanced Spitfire variants, the Typhoon and the powerful Tempest fighter-bomber.
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I'm in awe of these ladies and what they did.
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I'm aware of these very brave girls and like Jill I'm in awe of their service, mostly unrecognised in their time or in the years following the war. They were lynchpins in the system, they shifted aircraft in 'housekeeping' tasks allowing our brabve boys,
and they were, to get on with the war fighting. It is said that the boys/men were not as adaptable between the various aircraft. Another group of unsung hero's, or in this case heroine's, they are plenty moire groups who kept the wheels turned whilst others
took the 'glory'. I often think as tough as our times are we owe them a huge debt and we should be grateful everyday to be able to grumble about whatever we choose. The young life of my dad volunteering to serve and my son at 18 were so different. How the
parents of the boys coped is another test of strength, often more than one in the fray. I wear my poppy with pride for all who served or serve, its a small gesture but heartfelt.0 -
These were indeed exceptional ladies.....and whenever I've seen one of them being interviewed, they have always been extremely modest about their achievements.
When I think of what you have to do nowadays to be able to fly a different type of aircraft.....and these ladies were just given a set of instructions to read before undertaking these, often difficult flights, I am in awe of them.
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Whilst not wishing to downplay the undoubted skill of these ladies, modern aircraft are far more complex. Looking in the cockpit of a Blenheim last year, I couldn't beleive how agricultural it looked.
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Modern aircraft tend to have far better instrumentation - that makes life easier for the pilot.
They also have the third wheel at the front instead of at the back.....that generally makes landings rather easier.
I would say that, on the whole, modern aircraft are easier to fly, but to get the best out of some of the modern avionics can take extra time and training.
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