Authentic WASP
uniform on display at
P-38 Museum in
Riverside, CA

The WAFs/WASPs Exhibit at the P-38 Museum is one of the "must-see" showcases. As with the other exhibits, it is built with volunteer time and volunteer artifacts.

The exhibit has several screens with individual photos of P-38 ferrying WASPs. These were expertly framed and mounted with identification by WASP Iris Cummings Critchell. It also features a tribute-to-WASP painting of a P-38 with a girl's face in the clouds, a history of the Ferry Command, impressive commendations from Generals Arnold, Doolittle and Tunner and several original ferrying orders.

A life‑sized, uniformed mannequin (left) carrying headset, briefcase, and charts is also on display. Her incredibly neat appearance compelled exhibit organizer, Mary Lou Neale, to display a famous Dot Swain Lewis drawing (with Dot Swain Lewis’ gracious permission) of one weary, bedraggled WASP returning home after a week of cross-country deliveries -- just to instill that "spot of realism" into the exhibit.

The glass-topped shelf features a U.S. relief map made of mahogany, which has the varied ferrying routes indicated by silk threads held by mat pins.

To the right of this is the official black purse donated by Catherine "Cappy" Vail Bridge, revealing a pair of silk stockings with a "1944 mending kit," comb and toothbrush. To further accent femininity, "Cochran's cosmetic tube" is shown accompanied by a chart to show the movable sections for face cream, foundation, powder, rouge and lipstick.

The bottom shelf holds a genuine parachute with skirt and high heels peeking out of the bag, aeronautical charts, several photos, donor-credit signs and our regular briefcase revealing orders, other papers and a photo only (for safety reasons) of that burdensome Colt 45.

WASPs EXHIBIT GALLERY

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