Women's Air Force Service Pilots Signed "Fifinella" Original Nose Art Signed by (5) Pilots (PSA)

"**Original Hand-Painted 8""x12"" Aluminum Nose Art Featuring “Fifinella” — Signed by Five WWII Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) — Authenticated by PSA/DNA**

Presented for auction is a historically significant and visually striking **8""x12"" original hand-painted aluminum nose art panel** featuring the iconic **“Fifinella”**, the official mascot of the **Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs)**. This piece has been **hand signed in permanent marker** by **five distinguished WASP pilots**: **Elizabeth “Betty” Strohfus, Anna Monkiewicz, Bernice “Bee” Haydu, Nell Bright, and Shutsy Reynolds**. This collectible is **authenticated by PSA/DNA** and comes with their **Certificate of Authenticity** and matching certification sticker affixed to the artwork.

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### **The Significance of Fifinella and the WASPs**

During World War II, more than 1,000 pioneering women served as part of the **Women Airforce Service Pilots**, ferrying aircraft, towing targets, and performing other critical non-combat aviation roles to free up male pilots for combat. The **WASP program**, formed in 1943 under the command of Jacqueline Cochran, was a groundbreaking initiative that challenged gender roles and reshaped American military aviation.

**“Fifinella”**, designed by the Walt Disney Company, became the beloved and empowering mascot of the WASPs. Depicted as a winged female gremlin in a red flight suit, Fifinella adorned flight jackets, aircraft nose art, and training facilities — symbolizing courage, patriotism, and the trailblazing spirit of these aviators.

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### **Biographies of Signers:**

- **Elizabeth ""Betty"" Strohfus (1919–2016):** Trained in over 18 aircraft models including the B-17 and AT-6. After WWII, she advocated passionately for veterans' recognition of WASPs.

- **Anna Monkiewicz (1921–2011):** One of the few Polish-American WASPs, trained on the BT-13 and contributed to ferrying missions within the continental U.S.

- **Bernice “Bee” Haydu (1920–2021):** A longtime advocate for women's roles in aviation, she later served as president of the WASP organization and helped lobby for military status recognition.

- **Nell Bright (1921–2020):** Flew missions ferrying planes and training pilots during the war. She spent much of her postwar life educating others about the WASP program.

- **Shutsy Reynolds (1923–2022):** Flew the AT-6 and BT-13 and became one of the last living WASP pilots, creating artwork and memorabilia to preserve the WASP legacy.

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### **Item Details:**

- **Artwork**: Original hand-painted aluminum **nose art** featuring **“Fifinella”**, WASP mascot

- **Signers**: **Five original WASP pilots** — Strohfus, Monkiewicz, Haydu, Bright, Reynolds

- **Dimensions**: **8""x12"" aluminum panel**

- **Medium**: Permanent marker signatures on hand-painted aircraft aluminum

- **Authentication**: **PSA/DNA Certified**, includes **Certificate of Authenticity** and affixed hologram

- **Condition**: Excellent — vivid artwork, crisp autographs, ideal for historical display

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### **Summary:**

This rare and moving artifact honors the extraordinary service of five **Women Airforce Service Pilots** and the enduring symbol of their courage — **Fifinella**. With vibrant hand-painted detail and authenticated signatures of five trailblazing women, this panel represents a compelling piece of both **aviation and women's history**. A museum-quality tribute, fully **authenticated by PSA/DNA**, perfect for collectors, educators, or patriotic enthusiasts."

A portion of the sale of this auction will be donated to the General James. H Doolittle Scholarship Fund. The General James H. Doolittle Scholarship Fund was founded to assist college students by awarding one scholarship annually in the maximum amount of $5,000 to a deserving student who is pursuing a baccalaureate or advanced degree in aeronautical engineering or an aerospace science. Students are selected based on their scholastic achievement, school and community participation, demonstrated leadership potential and financial need. More information can be found at the Doolittle Scholarship Funds’ website.

The autograph(s) includes an official PSA/DNA hologram and matching COA for authenticity purposes.

Authentication: PSA COA

Due to the uniqueness of each item, please refer to the photos provided in this auction. We offer high resolution images of each item rather than a written description of condition.

This item is being shipped from the Pristine Auction warehouse.