Marion Hanrahan’s  original "Hazy Maisey" drawing for the Fifinella Gazette, 1943 

The first of many cartoons by WASP Jane Baessler, all signed

Dot Swain”s (Lewis) illustration from Winnie Wood’s book, 

“We Were WASP”

 The Fifinella Gazette, 1943

Drawings by Evelyn Norton, verse by Mrs. Sue Toce from 

The Fifinella Gazette, April 23, 1943

2 of 3 from The Fifinella Gazette, April 23, 1943

3rd drawing from 

The Fifinella Gazette, April 23, 1943

A LOOK AT HAIR
"The Avenger".  Oct. 8, 1943

Fifinella Gazette, Mar.1, 1943

 Fifinella Gazette 1943

 Haisie Maisie from The Fifinella Gazette

Feb. 10, 1943. Note spelling change.

The Avenger  May 5, 1944

A LOOK AT SHOES.   "The Fifinella Gazette". April 1, 1943

WASP Shutsy Reynold's    Foggy Goggles Flying Society

WASP Jane Baessler

WASP Classbook

WASP Jane Baessler

Unsigned WASP Classbook

WASP Dot Swain Lewis

WASP Classbook

WASP Classbook

WASP Classbook

WASP Classbook

WASP Classbook

WASP Classbook

WASP Classbook

WASP Jane Baessler

WASP Classbook

WASP Classbook

WASP Classbook

WASP Classbook

WASP Classbook

WASP Classbook

WASP Classbook

WASP Classbook

WASP Dot Swain”s (Lewis) illustration from 

WASP Winnie Wood’s book, “We Were WASP”

WASP Dot Swain”s (Lewis) illustration from 

WASP Winnie Wood’s book, “We Were WASP”

WASP Barbara Searles cartoon on the last pages of the last class book, 

44-W-10

Fifinella Gazette, Feb 10, 1943

WASP Dot Swain’s illustration for We Were WASP By WASP Wnifred Wood

WASP Dot Swain’s illustration for We Were WASP By WASP Wnifred Wood

WASP TOONS and The Lighter Side of WASP Life


Although the WASP faced extraordinary challenges during WWII, their persistence, patriotism, and resilience were remarkable. So was their sense of humor! Some trainees put their artistic talents to work lifting spirits—including those of their instructors.


This gallery features cartoons from early WASP trainee newsletters, training classbooks, and the first book written about the WASP, We Were WASP, by WASP Winnie Wood, illustrated by WASP Dot Swain Lewis.


Also included are cartoons reproduced from original WASP classbooks and featured in WASP in Their Own Words, published in 2010 as a gift to the WASP during their Congressional Gold Medal celebration.


Contributing classbook artists include WASP Jane Baessler Doyle (44-4), Marion Hanrahan (43-3), Ty Hughes Killen (44-6), Dot Swain Lewis (44-5), Alice Jean May Starr (43-4), and Jane Dunbar Tedeschi (44-4).


Some cartoons are signed, some dated, and others neither. Each is identified by its artist or original classbook date whenever available.


Enjoy a little WASP humor—straight from the women who lived it!