Pictures

Naomi performed parachuting for Sir Alan Cobham’s Air Display. The air display was a popular form of entertainment and inspiration for future aviators. Naomi worked very hard to establish parachuting as sport with both her performances and lectures.

Naomi was famous for parachuting, but her great love was for soaring. Her first classes were with Eugen Wagner at the Hesselberg. The next year she flew at Darmstadt where she was the first British woman to earn the Silver C. Wolf Hirth then contracted with her to translate his book, The Art of Soaring, in exchange for soaring time at the Hornberg. With Doc Slater they tailored the book to the English and Naomi is listed as an author of this English version.

In England Naomi taught gliding, mostly at Sutton Bank. But much effort was given to promoting the sport by lecturing and starting gliding clubs at other locations.

The ATA was an organization to transport aircraft, freeing the fighter pilots to be more available for defense. During the war Naomi flew over 50 different types of aircraft in all sorts of weather. Her first appointment was at Hamble. Then she was at Walt Waltham and ended the war flying from Prestwick. She achieved the rank of First Officer and was qualified as a 4+ pilot, which meant she was qualified to fly heavy twins and tricycle gear.

Among the events of her biography is a story of life’s challenges as well as personal insights into historical events that can only be seen by quoting her diary. Hence this book has some feel of an autobiography.

Click on portraits for larger version.

This one is not in the book. I found this slide only recently. It is Naomi in 1947

Keywords:

air transport auxiliary, aviation, gliding, gliders, World War, 1939-1945, Second World War, World War II, women pilots, female pilots, parachuting, soaring, sailplane, women's issues, biography, air shows, air circus, Biographies & Memoirs,