03/09/2023
Mary Feik overhauled her first auto engine when she was 13 years old. She turned to airplane engines at 18 and taught aviation mechanics for the U.S. Army Air Corps. During World War II, Mary became an expert on several fighter planes and is credited with becoming the first woman engineer in research and development for the Air Technical Service Command.
She flew more than 5,000 hours as a B-29 flight engineer, engineering observer and pilot in fighter, attack, bomber, cargo and training aircraft.
Mary was a professional restorer of antique and classic aircraft and worked at the National Air and Space Museum's Paul E. Garber Restoration Facility.
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