Women's Air Force Service Pilots Signed "Fifinella" Original Nose Art (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.

---

### **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.

---

### **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.

---

### **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

---

### **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.

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

Authentication: PSA LOA

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.