Inside Hanger One
Banners of the Leaders: Made possible by donations from Lt. Col. & Mrs. Clay Wilkins, and WASP Leta Shirley, banners featuring Jacqueline Cochran, Hap Arnold and Nancy Love, the most important leaders in the history of the WASP, take the spotlight.
The Hand Prints: Twenty-nine WASP placed their hand prints in cement during the premiere event at Hangar One, May 26, 2005. Read all about these wonderful women as you put your hands in the hands of the WASP!
Filmstrip: The filmstrip features over one- hundred photos of WASP including their names and classes. The filmstrip was made possible by a donation from WASP Virginia Hagerstrom, 43-W-4.
WASP Time Line from 1939 to 2005: The history of the WASP and America in World War II was researched and written by WASP Deanie Parrish.
Fifinella Patch: You won’t be able to miss an oversize recreation of the original “Fifi Patch” worn on WASP Deanie Bishop’s A-2 jackets when she trained at Avenger Field. Fifi or “Fifinella” is a cartoon character, created by Walt Disney and lent to the WASP as their mascot during WWII. This exhibit is made possible by a donation from WASP Ruth Fleisher For more on Fifi online: http://www.wingsacrossamerica.org/wasp/fifi.htm
Sleeping Bay: Made possible by a generous donation by Eloise Mountain Wright in honor of her sister, WASP Marie Clark and by the Abilene and Sweetwater Rotary Clubs, this is one of our most popular exhibits. See how the WASP lived, six to a room or bay at the base. They really loved their country and wanted to fly!
Avenger Gate: On the north side of the hangar is a recreation of the gate that stretched across the road where the guard shack stood, guarding the entrance to Avenger Field in 1943 & 1944.
Giant Wings: In the center of the museum you will see a giant depiction of the WASP Wings made possible by a donation from WASP Marie Mountain Clark, 44-W-1.
“The Graduate”: WASP Dot Lewis sculpted this sister statue of “The Trainee” in the wishing well. This statue is dedicated to WASP Shutsy Reynolds and the selfless volunteers from the WASP WWII Stores who toiled without thanks or honors working to honor the WASP of WWII at air shows and events across America.
The Outhouse: Built by Tom Henderson, this outhouse is a recreation of one of the original outhouse used by WASP trainees at an auxiliary field nearby. The chimney on top was donated by Cliff Etheredge. He remembers his dad getting the phone call to ‘move the cattle’ on the days when the trainees would be flying off the field.
HONOR, COURAGE, SACRIFICE, PATRIOTISM, COMMITMENT: Notice the banners stating some of the values of the WASP. The banners were made possible by a donation from WASP Murial Rath Reynolds.
Flags: Flags represent every state WASP entered training.
State Rosters: A WASP roster by state lists WASP’s state of origination.
Map of the WASP Duty Stations, 1943-1944: See where the WASP worked after training in Sweetwater.
AT-6 Cut Out: Sit behind the poster and have your picture made! This unique airplane was the favorite training plane of the WASP.
“Best Kept Secret”: Put your face here and have a friend take a photo. You’re a WASP!
