Product Details

• Actors: Kath Soucie, Paul Tibbets, Mary McDonnell
• Directors: Laurel Ladevich
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Pbs Home Video
• VHS Release Date: June 22, 1999
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00000K02S
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,743 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating documentary of a long-neglected group of pilots, April 24, 2000

By 

Joseph T. Reeves - See all my reviews

This review is from: The American Experience: Fly Girls [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"Fly Girls" is the story of the Women's Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs) of World War II, who have been neglected and unappreciated for many years. The WASPs were formed to ferry aircraft, tow targets and serve as instructors so male pilots could be freed for combat roles. But, as this film shows, the WASPs faced danger every day by flying every aircraft in the military inventory which more than proved the ability of women to serve as pilots. The WASPs were given the dangerous and dirty jobs to do, and they excelled despite the openly expressed doubts of male pilots.

"Fly Girls" benefits from the contemporary interviews of many surviving WASPs. These interviews, along with archival footage, capture the truly important job these pilots were doing and reflect the can-do attitude that permeated all levels of World War II American society. Although this film does chronicle the support the WASPs received from top military leaders, these women were not recognized as military members and were not even given veteran status until 1977. This film stands as a testimony to their courage and strength.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And I thought I knew a lot about WWII American History!!, May 1, 2001

By 

Rosemary Thornton "Niece of Addie Hoyt Fargo ... (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The American Experience: Fly Girls [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a GREAT documentary about the 1000 women who ferried new war planes around the country. In contemporary interviews, Chuck Yeager and Paul Tibbits gushed praise for these amazing women and their accomplishments and abilities. The women themselves talked about their life back in WWII and the stories were inspiring and stirring.

These women paved the way for women's liberation and even though the WASPS were disbanded in December 1944, without ever being granted military status, they broke through one barrier after another and really changed the way this country thought about women.

Their planes were occasionally sabotaged and they put up with a lot of nonsense from their male counterparts, but they pushed on. This video really brings their story to life. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about this little known bit of WWII history.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating history of Women pilots in WWII, November 23, 1999

By 

Trish (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The American Experience: Fly Girls [VHS] (VHS Tape)

It was most inspiring to see both old and curent interviews with the women who took the jobs of test pilots during WWII (freeing up male test pilots for battle)- they were adventuresses then and their spirits still shine today! It was also disconcerting to hear of the poor treatment they received both from the government and many of the male pilots. Well researched and documented - surprisingly gripping. Worthwhile for all WWII buffs!