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Two women pilots who ferried aircraft during the second world war, and later worked together as peacetime flying instructors, have died within a week of each other.
JOAN Hughes, who was aged 74, enjoyed a highly adventurous flying career, which began when she won her wings at 17 and became the youngest woman pilot in the country, ranged through a distinguished record as an Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) pilot, and culminated in the post-war years as an instructor and film stunt pilot.
Born in Loughton, Essex, she declared her intention to become a pilot when only 15, after being taken to a flying cicus. She immediately joined Chigwell Flying Club and gained her pilot's licence two years later.
A Civil Air Guard flying instructor until war broke out, she was one of the most ardent lobbyists in the breakdown of prejudice against women flying military aircraft. She became one of the first eight women to join the ATA in January 1940.
Soon she was flying everything from basic trainers to interceptor fighters and big four-engined bombers from the manufacturers to operational squadrons. She was also promoted to conducting entry tests and instructing trainee pilots - mostly men - at the RAF's Advanced Flying Training School. Wartime ferry flying could be hazardous - witness the...