Lettuce Curtis: Devon-born pilot honoured in powerful 'women in war' exhibition with first all - female RAF flypast

The International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) has commemorated the extraordinary contributions of wartime women with the launch of a new exhibition, as part of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day.  

Guests gathered on Friday 14 March to mark the opening to the IBCC Women in War book festival, which featured the unveiling of ten striking steel silhouettes and the presence of esteemed ‘Modern Giants’. 

The first ever all-female RAF flypast symbolising the strength and power of women in aviation, took place to mark the occasion.  

The flypast featured a spectacular prefect from 57 Squadron at RAF Cranwell, followed by a second, breathtaking display of one Atlas 400M from RAF Brize Norton and one Typhoon from XI (Fighter) Squadron at RAF Coningsby. 

Nicky van der Drift, chief executive of the IBCC, said: "This exhibition is a testament to the IBCC's commitment to recognition, remembrance, and reconciliation. We are proud to honour the women who played such a vital role in protecting the freedoms we enjoy today.” 

The ten steel silhouettes, crafted by Standing with Giants, honour the bravery and resilience of individual wartime women. They will serve as a lasting tribute at the IBCC to the vital roles women played during the war.  

The silhouettes include Lettice Curtis, a pioneering aviator born in 1915 in Denbury, Devon. Her name is etched in history as the first woman to fly and deliver a Lancaster bomber to operational squadrons. A graduate of Benenden and St Hilda's, Oxford, she defied expectations by joining the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) during World War II.  

For 62 consecutive months, she tirelessly flew a diverse range of aircraft, adhering to a demanding "thirteen days on, two days off" schedule. Post-war, she contributed to the establishment of the joint civil/RAF Air Traffic Control Centre at West Drayton. A founding member of the British Women Pilots' Association, her passion for flight remained undiminished, culminating in her qualification to fly helicopters at the age of 77. She only voluntarily ceased flying at the age of 80, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of skill and determination. She died in Maidenhead, Berkshire at the age of 99.  

The event also welcomed the ‘Modern Giants’, a group of distinguished women leaders from across the UK who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. The IBCC worked with these women to support the creation of the Women in War silhouettes and officially unveil them. 

While the modern giants have all had very different experiences, there are several from within the Armed Forces, and many that have been recognised with Honours as well as other outstanding accolades. 

Their presence underscored the exhibition's theme of celebrating both historical and contemporary female achievements. Notable attendees included Cressida Hogg CBE, Chair BAE Systems; AVM Suraya Marshall CBE, RAF Assistant Chief of Air Staff; Dame Anita Frew DBE, Chair Rolls Royce; and Baroness Hogg, IBCC Trustee and first woman to Chair a FTSE 100 company, among many others. 

Baroness Hogg, instrumental in driving the exhibition, emphasised the importance of recognising these often-overlooked heroines.  

"By 1943, women were integral to the war effort, filling crucial roles in the armed forces, industry, and other wartime organisations," she said. "These ten silhouettes represent the vast and varied contributions of women, whose capabilities were finally acknowledged in the face of their undeniable impact." 

Nicky van der Drift added: “Our thanks go to all those who have played a part in bringing our Women in War silhouettes into existence and honouring their installation on what was an unforgettable day. And a special mention to the families and friends of the wartime women, some of whom went to extraordinary lengths to be present for the unveiling." 

The ‘Women in War’ silhouettes will become a longstanding installation at the IBCC’s Memorial Spire. The exhibition unveiling was part of the broader Women in War Book Festival, held on 14 and 15 March, providing a comprehensive exploration of women's wartime experiences.  

The IBCC, located in Lincoln, the heart of ‘Bomber County’, serves as a world-class facility dedicated to preserving the legacy of Bomber Command. 

To learn more about the International Bomber Command Centre, visit its website here: internationalbcc.co.uk