When war broke out, she transferred to the company’s research

department and was also involved in Army co-operation work, flying

over London to photograph camouflaged buildings. In the 1939

identity cards and rationing), Lettice was recorded as aircraft pilot

and surveyor. Soon after the start of the war, Lettice was contacted

by Pauline Gower, the founder of the female section of the ATA.

Initially she was looking for pilots to join the Ferry Pool at Hatfield.

Lettice had to work her notice period with the OS first and started

her ATA service on 6

July 1940.

She began her work with ATA by delivering primary training aircraft,

but ultimately became the first woman to qualify to fly four-engined

heavy bombers and was also the first woman pilot to deliver an Avro

Lancaster bomber. Over her ATA career she delivered 1,467 planes

(trainers, fighters, and bombers) to bases around the world between

1940 and 1945.

After the war ended Lettice continued to fly for pleasure and work,

finding it difficult to adjust to the new pace of life. In August of 1948

flew a Spitfire XI and set an international women’s record in the

Lympne handicap’s 100-km closed circuit, having borrowed the

Spitfire from the US Civil Air Attaché. She worked for Foiland and

Fairey Aviation, joining in 1953 and remaining for ten years before

she accepted a post with the Civil Aviation Authority, where she

remained until 1976. She had applied for the position of test pilot

with the government. Unaware that she was female until she

arrived, the interviewers allowed her to carry out the test flight which

she passed easily. However she was sill turned down and

appointed as Flight Test Observer at Boscombe Down instead, for

the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment.

In 1992 she received her qualification to fly helicopters and finally

gave up flying in 1995 when she was 80 years old.