Roots Of WASP Logo Found At WAI

by ANN Correspondent Aleta Vinas

The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) mascot, Fifinella... who, or what, is she -- and where did she come from?

The answer can be found right here in Orlando, FL -- one scant mile or so from where the Women in Aviation Conference is being held; well, sort of, anyway.

The answer actually starts over 60 years back, in the mind of Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He created a female gremlin (above) for his book called, appropriately, The Gremlins. Dahl’s story was about the hazards of combat flying, which Dahl, as an ex-RAF pilot knew about.

The book was published by Walt Disney.

Gremlins were imaginary creatures capable of wrecking havoc on aircraft causing failures and other problems. Gremlins were found to be very unbiased, causing problems to all nationalities. Fifinella, was not bad, she was a good Gremlin.

Disney looked to make a film adaptation of the book and the cuter, more lovable gal gremlin was drawn for the movie. The movie was never made but Dahl’s gremlins saw action with Bugs Bunny.

Disney’s version of the female gremlin was not to be retired. The Women Flight Training Detachment was looking for a logo and requested permission from Disney to use her. Fifinella became the official WASP mascot.

"Fifi’s" look remained mostly the same, but her outfit colors could vary. Fifi would even sometimes be depicted sitting atop a large bomb.

FMI: www.wai.org, www.wasp-wwii.org/