Short Stirling ATA Ferry Pilot

摘要

$1JAMES KIGHTLY; The air Trans port Auxiliary (ATA) was established in 1939 to fly aircraft from factories or repair units to operational RAF squadrons - relieving operational RAF pilots of an extra task. ATA pilots began by delivering basic trainers, but as the war progressed the organisation expanded in size and scope until its acronym was said to stand for "Anything To Anywhere". It delivered the fastest fighters and the heaviest bombers, and even the early jets. At the peak, the ATA had 1,300 pilots, including disabled Great War veterans and pilots who were too old to serve in the RAF, as well as its well-publicised women pilots.