Ferry Command Pilot Kristen Stein: An Unsung Hero of Aviation

When we think of famous pilots, names like Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh usually come to mind. However, there are countless aviation pioneers and heroes whose stories remain relatively unknown. One such unsung hero is Kristen Stein, a remarkable woman who played a crucial role as a pilot in the Ferry Command during World War II. Her contributions to aviation and her dedication to serving her country make her a true inspiration.

The Journey Begins

Kristen Stein was born on September 12, 1918, in a small town in Indiana. From a young age, she showed a keen interest in aviation, constantly yearning to take to the skies. However, women pursuing a career in aviation faced numerous challenges during that era. Despite the obstacles, Kristen remained undeterred and pursued her dream relentlessly.

Ferry Command Pilot

by Kristen Stein (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1545 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	235 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

After earning her pilot's license in 1938, Kristen Stein joined the newly formed Ferry Command in 1941. The Ferry Command was responsible for delivering aircraft from factories to military bases, a vital role in ensuring a steady supply of planes during the war. With her exceptional piloting skills and determination, Kristen quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the few female pilots in the military at the time.

A Grueling and Risky Task

As a Ferry Command pilot, Kristen Stein navigated through treacherous skies to deliver aircraft to various destinations across the globe. These deliveries often required flying long distances over the Atlantic Ocean, battling harsh weather conditions and flying at low altitudes in unfamiliar territories. Kristen's ability to remain calm under pressure and her determination to complete her missions made her an invaluable asset to the Ferry Command.

Kristen's missions were not without risks. The war brought its own set of challenges, including the constant threat of enemy fire and mechanical failures. On several occasions, Kristen had to make emergency landings in isolated locations, relying on her resourcefulness to get back on track. These experiences only fueled her determination to fulfill her duties and contribute to the war effort.

Recognition and Legacy

Despite her exceptional skills and contributions, Kristen Stein's achievements were often overshadowed by her male counterparts. The societal norms of the time prevented her from receiving the recognition she truly deserved. However, her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched and the barriers she broke, paving the way for future generations of female pilots.

After the war, Kristen continued her aviation career as a commercial airline pilot. She became an instructor at a flight school, sharing her knowledge and passion with aspiring pilots. Kristen's dedication to aviation and her unwavering commitment to breaking gender barriers serve as an inspiration to all who hear her story.

Kristen Stein's journey as a Ferry Command pilot during World War II is a testament to the resilience and courage of women in aviation. Her story reminds us of the countless unsung heroes who played a vital role in shaping the world of aviation. Kristen's determination to overcome obstacles and her passion for flying is an inspiration to all who dare to dream big. It is essential that we remember and celebrate the contributions of individuals like Kristen Stein, ensuring their legacies are never forgotten.

Ferry Command Pilot

by Kristen Stein (Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1545 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	235 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

November, 1940: after Hitler’s Blitzkreig devastated Europe, Britain held out alone against the Nazis. North American factories were producing badly-needed warplanes in quantity, but how to get them over there? Nazi U-boats were decimating freighter convoys with great loss of life and cargo, including aircraft. Why not fly them across?

It’s hard for those of us in the 21st century to believe it, but the stormy North Atlantic had never been flown in winter. It was considered suicidal to even try.

Yet desperate times call for desperate measures. This book honors the unique but little known group which, beginning in November 1940, delivered 10,000 warplanes across the uncharted oceans, suffering losses comparable to losses in combat.

Why did this brave group not become famous? One reason: it had several names over the war years. Another: it was comprised of both military and civilian personnel from several countries and military organizations. Best known as the Royal Air Force Ferry Command based in Montreal, Quebec, it evolved into No. 45 Group RAF Transport Command with headquarters in England.

The most important reason? This was a secret mission. So for almost forty years, the story of Ferry Command was unknown to the public.

Ferry Command Pilot is told firsthand from the pilot’s seat by then-twenty-six-year-old Ferry Command Captain Don McVicar. A Canadian civilian pilot, he was unusual in that he was also a crack navigator and radio operator, skills that brought him and his crews back from many dangerous missions. He received the King’s Commendation and the Order of the British Empire.

After a long turbulent career in Canadian aviation, Don McVicar gathered together his many logbooks, photographs, memories, and those of survivors with whom he had remained in touch, and wrote the first real book about the Royal Air Force Ferry Command. In 1981 Airlife published Ferry Command in hardcover, followed by North Atlantic Cat, A Change of Wings, Mosquito Racer and More Than A Pilot. His self-published A Railroad From the Sky, Distant Early Warning, and From Cuba to Oblivion completed his acclaimed autobiographical aviation series.

In 1990, with Ferry Command sold out, no longer in print but in demand by his readers worldwide, he split it into Ferry Command Pilot and South Atlantic Safari, which he self-published, printed-on-demand: revolutionary ideas in 1990! After writing several hundred thousand well-received words, he had the confidence to make these versions a bit juicier, truer to the wide-open spirit of a bush pilot from the Canadian West. He’s not afraid to tell a corny joke or to tell the truth about some of his rougher landings!

Although Captain McVicar passed away in 1997, he foretold the power of the internet to help authors and artists in particular to get their work out into the world. 2011 is the 30th anniversary of the publication of Ferry Command. Don McVicar would be pleased to see his book on Kindle!

This second edition of Ferry Command Pilot was carefully illustrated, edited and designed for the Kindle by his daughter, Donna McVicar Kazo, a professional artist, editor, writer and graphic designer.

It was important to Captain McVicar to identify those who flew with him, even those whose performance was less than stellar. Where else would their small - yet vital - contributions to the defeat of Hitler be recognized? This edition is a tribute to all of those good guys – and gals. May we be so brave.