Simviation Forums

The First woman to break the sound barrier died (although I thought it was Jackie Cochran, in 1953.....Maybe they mean British woman). Diana Barnato Walker, who died on April 28 aged 90. Her obituary makes very interesting reading. By the age of 22 she had delivered 240 Spitfires and many other aircraft as a small example.

Diana Barnato Walker

Matt

You are corect.

Jackie broke the sound barrier on 18 May, 1953 10 years before Diana did it.

Ah well, even if she did do it 10 years later than JC, I'm sure her wartime work was far far more valuable.

Very sad news. Surprised I hadn't seen it on any other sites.

You are corect.

Jackie broke the sound barrier on 18 May, 1953 10 years before Diana did it.

Then there was Jacqueline Auriol, in 1955... in a Mystere... solo.


But in all those cases, the supersonic flights were little more than record-breaking stunts- the wartime service of women like Cochran and Walker was remarkable. Test and ferry flying of those aircraft was about as dangerous as combat sometimes... Walker was very lucky to live as long as she did, may she rest in peace.

You are corect.

Jackie broke the sound barrier on 18 May, 1953 10 years before Diana did it.

Test and ferry flying of those aircraft was about as dangerous as combat sometimes... Walker was very lucky to live as long as she did, may she rest in peace.

The ATAgirls had no weather limits and had to deliver regardless. They flew without Nav aids and often with incomplete instrument panels. The missing instruments being installed when the aircraft arrived at the squadrons.......Not a ball between them......but by God they had balls.

Matt

The ATAgirls had no weather limits and to deliver regardless.

And ATA gentlemen.