Letter from Dorothy Scott to her father, May 30, 1943
Title
Letter from Dorothy Scott to her father, May 30, 1943
Description
Letter from Dorothy Scott to her father, G.M. Scott on May 30, 1943. Scott discusses AT-9 checks, buying a boat, and weather delays.
Creator
Scott, Dorothy, 1920-1943
Dorothy Scott joined the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) in 1942. Stationed at New Castle Army Air Base and with the 5th Ferrying Squadron at Love Field, Dallas, Texas. Died in 1943 while in Pursuit training.
Date
5/30/1943
Contributor
Scott, Dorothy, 1920-1943; Scott, G.M.
Rights
Materials may not be used without permission. For further information, please contact (940) 898-3751 or womenshistory@twu.edu
Format
2 pgs., front and back
Language
en
Type
Letters
Manuscripts
Identifier
MSS600c_Scott,Dorothy_Correspondence,Dec1942-July1943_19430530
Is Part Of
MSS 600c, Dorothy F. Scott Papers
Spatial Coverage
Vault A
Provenance
Scott, Edward
Gift
Rights Holder
Woman's Collection, Texas Woman's University, P.O. Box 425528, Denton, TX 76204.
Text
D. Scott WASP
5th ferry group
Love Field
Dallas, Texas
Mr. G. M. Scott
Auroville
Washington
5-30-43
Dear Dad:
I’m sorry to have delayed writing so it caused you to worry, but we’ve been “just waiting” for something to happen each day and it doesn't.
We got held up with the pt’s in both Wichita and Dallas but finally got them delivered as I told you in my last letter. I think I forgot to tell you one exciting part.
I was heading into Clarksdale and found the municipal field but no other, and since I saw a cub land I went around and came on in. Swish, clunk. I set down in deep mud and the tail left the ground stood straight up nearly. Boy! I put the brakes on, stick back, and gave it full throttle so as to blow the tail down. That was too close for
comfort. Then I had to turn around fast and taxiid back fast on the run way. So the other kids wouldn’t land. I asked where the right airport was and took off again without much trouble.
As soon as I got back (7:30 A.M.) I was asked if I wanted an AT-6 trip, and, tho I didn’t have to take it, I surely said “yes”, and since have been waiting for weather to leave.
While waiting transition dept called us old WAFS in and gave us AT 9 checks. Boy, what a plane, you bring it in at 120 mph- that’s as fast as a bomber, and faster than a pursuit. I had a little trouble catching on to wheel landings but none with flying with a left hand wheel control and a whole new cockpit procedure.
Now there are a few more nice things happening to me. You knew that Helen Richards and I had been
-2-
looking for a house to live in- we’ve got one now that’s close to the field (2 miles on my bike) and we'll move in it in a few days.
Yesterday I surely had a time, and of course did one of those crazy things that most always turn out swell, I’m part-owner of a cabin cruiser! You know the two fellows I’ve been going around with for a long time. Yesterday we three were out fishing- tho we didn’t fish because we came across these speed-boat races.
We stopped and Penn started taking pictures. Before long I was being taken for a ride in a speed boat- boy oh boy- and then we three were invited to go out to the first marker to get pictures of the races. This boat was the cruiser. First thing you know we were boat-owners and it’s a swell deal. We talked to lots of the racing
fellows and they all said it was a plenty good day. The owner wants a racer, and we don’t.
Anyway, we spent last evening cruising around, and pull up along side other boats so already we’re socially well acquainted with the upper crust of Dallas.
I’m surely glad we’ve got it, all our fun had gotten narrowed to movies and dances, no swimming or picnics hardly, but not now.
My marine hero friend has been writing and even phoning, but I’m not interested so I’m fixing that.
We’ll likely get going on that AT6 trip soon. I can’t understand so much bad weather.
by now.
Dorothy.
5th ferry group
Love Field
Dallas, Texas
Mr. G. M. Scott
Auroville
Washington
5-30-43
Dear Dad:
I’m sorry to have delayed writing so it caused you to worry, but we’ve been “just waiting” for something to happen each day and it doesn't.
We got held up with the pt’s in both Wichita and Dallas but finally got them delivered as I told you in my last letter. I think I forgot to tell you one exciting part.
I was heading into Clarksdale and found the municipal field but no other, and since I saw a cub land I went around and came on in. Swish, clunk. I set down in deep mud and the tail left the ground stood straight up nearly. Boy! I put the brakes on, stick back, and gave it full throttle so as to blow the tail down. That was too close for
comfort. Then I had to turn around fast and taxiid back fast on the run way. So the other kids wouldn’t land. I asked where the right airport was and took off again without much trouble.
As soon as I got back (7:30 A.M.) I was asked if I wanted an AT-6 trip, and, tho I didn’t have to take it, I surely said “yes”, and since have been waiting for weather to leave.
While waiting transition dept called us old WAFS in and gave us AT 9 checks. Boy, what a plane, you bring it in at 120 mph- that’s as fast as a bomber, and faster than a pursuit. I had a little trouble catching on to wheel landings but none with flying with a left hand wheel control and a whole new cockpit procedure.
Now there are a few more nice things happening to me. You knew that Helen Richards and I had been
-2-
looking for a house to live in- we’ve got one now that’s close to the field (2 miles on my bike) and we'll move in it in a few days.
Yesterday I surely had a time, and of course did one of those crazy things that most always turn out swell, I’m part-owner of a cabin cruiser! You know the two fellows I’ve been going around with for a long time. Yesterday we three were out fishing- tho we didn’t fish because we came across these speed-boat races.
We stopped and Penn started taking pictures. Before long I was being taken for a ride in a speed boat- boy oh boy- and then we three were invited to go out to the first marker to get pictures of the races. This boat was the cruiser. First thing you know we were boat-owners and it’s a swell deal. We talked to lots of the racing
fellows and they all said it was a plenty good day. The owner wants a racer, and we don’t.
Anyway, we spent last evening cruising around, and pull up along side other boats so already we’re socially well acquainted with the upper crust of Dallas.
I’m surely glad we’ve got it, all our fun had gotten narrowed to movies and dances, no swimming or picnics hardly, but not now.
My marine hero friend has been writing and even phoning, but I’m not interested so I’m fixing that.
We’ll likely get going on that AT6 trip soon. I can’t understand so much bad weather.
by now.
Dorothy.
Files
Collection
Citation
Scott, Dorothy, 1920-1943 and Dorothy Scott joined the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) in 1942. Stationed at New Castle Army Air Base and with the 5th Ferrying Squadron at Love Field, Dallas, Texas. Died in 1943 while in Pursuit training., “Letter from Dorothy Scott to her father, May 30, 1943,” TWU Digital Exhibits, accessed April 24, 2024, http://exhibits.twu.edu/ex/items/show/133.