Woman who flew spitfires during the WWII celebrates turning 100

Thanks COL Mikel J. Burroughs for honoring RAF Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) pilot Mary Ellis who was one the few women to fly the fights as they ferried them to where they need to be for operational purposes. She flew 400 Spitfires and 76 different types of aircraft, including heavy bombers during World War Two.
Kudos to Mary Ellis and the other ATA pilots.
The information below is from the following site which has many pictures.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2890225/world-war-two-heroine-revealed-in-incredible-forgotten-images-of-greatest-female-pilot-who-flew-spitfires-for-the-raf-during-the-blitz

Images: Mary Ellis in WWII; Mary was reunited with a Spitfire MV154 in 1994; Mary was handed the controls of a 275mph twin-seater Spitfire as it swooped over West Sussex as part of her hundredth birthday celebrations;1945 An ATA flag is lowered for the last time at White Waltham Church

SPITFIRE GIRL World War Two heroine revealed in incredible forgotten images of greatest female pilot who flew Spitfires for the RAF during the Blitz
Mary Ellis was among a very select band of women who flew fighters during the Second World War
By CARL STROUD
17th February 2017, 3:12 pm Updated: 18th February 2017, 7:33 am
THE ACHIEVEMENTS of a female Spitfire ace are celebrated in these forgotten snaps that have emerged as she celebrates her hundredth birthday.
Mary Ellis was among a very select few women who flew fighters during the Second World War
Mary was handed the controls of a 275mph twin-seater Spitfire as it swooped over West Sussex as part of her hundreth birthday celebrations MEDIA DRUM WORLD
She got her call-up after replying to an appeal for woman pilots to join the auxiliary service.
Author Melody Foreman said: “The book charts the life and times of one of the world’s greatest female ferry pilots – First Officer Mary Ellis of the Air Transport Auxiliary.”
“She flew 400 Spitfires and 76 different types of aircraft, including heavy bombers during World War Two.
“Mary helped the war effort by delivering much needed aircraft including Wellington Bombers, Mustangs and many more to the aircrews of RAF fighter and bomber command squadrons.”
Melody added: “When the ATA was closed in November 1945, Mary was seconded to the RAF to fly the new Meteor fast jet.
“The next few years saw her working as a personal pilot to a wealthy businessman and by 1950 she became the boss of Sandown Airport on the Isle of Wight.
“Mary became Europe’s first female air commandant and remained as managing director of Sandown until 1970.”
Mary got her call-up after replying to an appeal for woman pilots to join the auxiliary service
Inspirational Mary has been passionate about flying from an early age. She got her pilot’s license at just 21.
Mary turned 100 on 2 February and a surprise party was held in her honour at Sandown Airport, where over sixty guests attended.
Mary said at the event: “The war was a challenge and one had to do something about it. I went on and on until I flew everything.
“I love the Spitfire – it’s my favourite aircraft, it’s everyone’s favourite, it’s the symbol of freedom.’
Mary flew 400 Spitfires during the war and 76 different types of aircraft
Then as part of her celebrations Mary was handed the controls of a 275mph twin-seater Spitfire as it swooped over West Sussex.
After about 15 minutes, she turned for home, and told her co-pilot Matt Jones: ‘Goodwood on the nose, you have control…’. Then she settled back to enjoy the ride back to base.
Earlier, Mary watched in delight as Spitfire MV154 took its place beside her in an extraordinary airborne tribute. It was a plane she had delivered to RAF Brize Norton from Southampton on September 15, 1944, and it hides a sentimental secret.
For at the end of the 25-minute wartime flight, she signed the cockpit, scrawling her maiden name Wilkins and the initials ATA.
FYI LTC Stephen C. LTC Greg Henning Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CW5 Charlie Poulton SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx ] TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright SP5 Robert RuckCPT (Join to see)SCPO Morris RamseyCPL Eric EscasioSPC William Weedman

It's interesting to see this article on the same day we are flooded with news from the "Day Without Women" protest. Here is a great example of a woman doing what needed to be done and kicking butt while doing it.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Thank you for the great post. A good reminder that women are a valuable component of our armed forces. Mary Ellis is a remarkable woman!