The story sheds well-deserved light on the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), a World War II civilian organisation based at White Waltham Airfield in England. These pilots – from several nations, including the U.S. – flew ferry missions and mail and ambulance flights, thus freeing Royal Air Force pilots for combat duty. ATA pilots included women who were paid the same as male pilots; in fact, a woman was the first ATA pilot to die in service, so it is realistic that some of the book's characters die in action.Matthews does a good job of describing the ATA's work and life in England during the war (Matthews grew up during the war), but the writing style is at the level of young adult. I'd even say it was suitable for elementary school children except for the few non-explicit paragraphs about characters having sex.Still, I'm glad I read the book. I enjoyed learning about the ATA, and I congratulate the former tea-girl for becoming a published author at the age of 70.
