jackiecochran

Jackie could do it all!

Jacqueline Cochran (1906-1980) – more Wikipedia

On March 9, 1996, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 50¢ stamp commemorating Jacqueline Cochran, the first woman to fly faster than the speed of sound. The stamp depicts Cochran after winning the 1938 Bendix Trophy air race from Los Angeles to Cleveland in just over 8 hours.

First day of issue ceremonies were held at Indian Palms Resort, former site of Cochran's ranch, in Indio, California. The stamp's 50¢ denomination met the rate then in effect for international post cards mailed from the U.S. (Scott 3066) – Georgia Info

                             

she sounds like she was pretty incredible. i wonder if she ever got to meet Earhart.

@ striatic Hi! -- In the Wikipedia article (above) is this reference: "In 1937, she [Cochran] was the only woman to compete in the Bendix race. She worked with Amelia Earhart to open the race for women." Then there's this prescient reference:

"Ms. Cochran’s racing activities in the 1930s brought her a wide acquaintance among the famous pilots of the day. An especially close friend was Amelia Earhart who spent several days relaxing at Ms. Cochran’s ranch prior to departing on her ill-fated flight around the world in 1937."

oh keen. they knew each other rather well then. small world of female aeronautic superstars!

The aircraft in the Jackie Cochrane stamp above was one owned by her and made by Seversky Aircraft. It was effectively the same aircraft the Seversky sold to the US Army Air Corps as the P-35. Can you imagine being able to buy current military aircraft direct from the factory?!

one of my heros, can't understand why she isn't much more famous