Five of Six ... The Charmer

Nancy Batson Crews

In the fall of 1927, Nancy Batson's mother took her daughter by the hand and walked into town to see Charles Lindbergh. Birmingham, Alabama was just one of many stops on his tour of the country. As Nancy watched the famous pilot with his plane, a sense of excitement surged through her. Although she was only 7-years-old, she knew then that she wanted to fly airplanes.

The Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program was created during Nancy's junior year at the University of Alabama. The moment she heard the news she ran across campus at breakneck speed to apply. To enroll she needed $40 and a letter of permission from her parents. Nancy's mother, being an independent and adventurous woman, told her husband to write out the check; there was nothing to discuss. It was a wonderful opportunity for their daughter.

Soloing in a Piper J-3 Cub, Nancy earned her private pilot's license just two months later in March of 1940. Nancy's parents purchased her a plane which enabled her to acquire a commercial rating. When she approached possible employers she was told that women would not be hired as pilots. Heartbroken, Nancy left for Miami, Florida where she eventually found a job as a flight instructor.

After reading a newspaper article about Nancy Love and the formation of the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) in Wilmington, Delaware, Nancy immediately quit her instructing job. So intent on becoming a WAF she never thought to wire ahead of her arrival and simply showed up at Love's door one afternoon, logbook in hand.

On October 22, 1942 the determined Belle From Birmingham was accepted into the WAFS. Nancy was ecstatic. For the first 14 months as a WAF she flew trainer aircraft and cargo transports. Being one of the first women to attend pursuit school in December of 1943, she checked out in the P-47 Thunderbolt. By the time the women pilots were disbanded in 1944 Nancy had flown 28 different types of aircraft for a total of 900 hours in the air.

A letter of commendation was awarded to Nancy and three other WAFS in 1943 for completing a ferry mission to Canada in record time. This was a mission that left little time for sleep. Nancy had always amazed her fellow WAFS with her ability to sleep anywhere - sitting, standing, or stretched out on a parachute. Regardless of what transpired around her, Nancy always got in her afternoon naps. Her relaxed southern temperament had other advantages as well. Another WAF recalls that - "Nancy Batson could charm the pants off a snake".

Having the support of both her parents since she was a child, Nancy was devoted to living her dream. Flying was something she took seriously and she felt proud to be a part of this dedicated group of women pilots.