The 1940 Air Terminal Museum
Photo Gallery

The WASPS

The Womens' Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) were organized at the beginning of World War II to provide trained women aviators to ferry military aircraft, thus freeing male pilots for combat roles. The Aviation Enterprises fixed base operator, founded and run by Earl McKaughn, based at Houston Municipal Airport, bid and won the federal government contract to found the WASPs. The first three classes of WASPs were trained in the Aviation Enterprises hangar located immediately south of the 1940 Air Terminal. Subsequent classes were trained in Sweetwater, Texas, at Avenger Field.

After World War II, Earl McKaughn and Aviation Enterprises formed Trans-Texas Airways, also based at Houston Municipal Airport. Trans-Texas Airways later changed its name to Texas International, and in the early 1980s acquired Continental Airlines and assumed its name. The Aviation Enterprises hangar still stands and continues to be leased to Continental Airlines.
WASP and Lockheed P-38 Lightning WASP class and North American AT-6 Texas

WASP climbs aboard a Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter.

WASP class poses for photographs in front of a North American AT-6 Texan advanced trainer.
WAFS Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Jackie Cochran

One of the 28 WAFS (Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, which was later merged with the WASPs) smiles from the left seat of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

Famous Aviatrix Jackie Cochran was one of the co-founders of the WASPs.
WASP crew and Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress WASPs check their parachutes

WASP crew returns from a mission aboard a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress carrying their parachutes.

WASPs check their parachutes before a mission.

Visit these sites to learn more about the WASPS and the WAFS.