Women Air Force Service Pilots, Ninety-Nines, and Powder Puff Derby

Series

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection: The Alberta Hunt Nicholson papers (1940-1997) contain materials regarding Nicholson's involvement with aviation from 1940-1990. Nicholson (1914-2002) was one of the first women test pilots to fly for the United States Air Force. She was a member of the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs) during World War II, from 1943 until the group was disbanded in 1944. Included in the collection are official government documents, correspondence, news articles, newsletters, and yearbooks regarding the WASPs and their activities. Nicholson is a lifetime member of the Ninety-Nine's International Organization of Women Pilots and flew in many of their "Powder Puff Derby" transcontinental flying contests for women from 1955-1977. Contestant ribbons, results, programs, and news articles regarding these flying contests are included in the collection. Also included are pilot's log books chronicling Nicholson's recreational and professional flying from 1940-1978. Also inluded are WASP newsletters (1943-1944), issues of "Lukomunique," a newsletter published by and for the men of Luke Field (Phoenix, Arizona) in 1944, and a book of personal recollections from Alberta.

Dates

1940-1997

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.