Superfortresses were some of the first prototypes to be tested, with the “X” in the name indicating an aircraft in its experimental phase. The fact that the WASPs were of the first people to pilot such a large long-range bomber in its preliminary stages was a major step forward for women in the military. In addition to the XB-29’s, WASPs were tasked with flying a controversial aircraft: the Boeing B-26. Nicknamed the “Widowmaker” by male pilots, the B-26 was known for killing more pilots in training flights than men in combat. Jackie Cochran saw an opportunity and encouraged her girls to fly them. “In ground school, the women outscored the men on everything—the mechanical system, the electrical system, the hydraulic system, and the emergency system. When the male students found out about this, they were flabbergasted.” Kathleen Cornelsen put it best saying, “The women’s success with these intimidating aircraft marked a pivotal step towards breaking the existing gender barrier and enabled them to explore new directions in aviation.” The WASPs’ mastery of such a dangerous and unexplored machine set them above the male pilots, and displayed to the military and the whole world just how determined the women were to be equal to their male counterparts. However, holding such important positions came at a price for the pioneering women. The WASPs faced discrimination at all levels of the military and even within their own operations. Most notable was the discrimination between male and female pilots, exclusively because of their differences in gender. From fundamental equipment such as uniforms and room and board to general pay and insurance, WASPs were fighting an entirely different battle than the war at hand: discrimination. As for pay, female pilots were looking at a maximum of 75 dollars a month whereas men received a minimum of 150 dollars a month in addition to overtime compensation. Out of their minuscule wage, WASPs were expected to finance their own transportation, food, room and board, clothing, among other essentials that were provided at no cost to male pilots.There were also drastic differences in the requirements and qualifications necessary for women to apply to the training program in the first place than their male counterparts. Females were required to have 75 hours of flight time experience paired with a pilot’s license and a high school diploma whereas men were not expected to have any flight experience nor a pilot’s lice