Existing comment:
Fifinella (Fifi)
WARP Mascot
Fifinella:
Fifinella was created by Walt Disney animators who were inspired by a story written by Roald Dahl. Using the Disney cartoon character illustrations, Roald Dahl later turned his story into a book, "The Gremlins."
The little Fifinella character had been languishing in the "future projects" files in the Disney Studios, awaiting development for the animated version of "The Gremlins." Mr. Disney received a request, through a relative of WASP trainee, Byrd Granger, to use Fifinella as the mascot of the newly created 319th Army Air Force's Flying Training Detachment in Houston, Texas.
Mr. Disney granted the request, and Fifinella first appeared as the name of the 319th's newsletter, the "Fifinella Gazette," on February 10, 1943. She was soon known as "Fifi".
When the 319th Detachment was moved to Avenger Field and became the 318th, the little Fifi mascot moved with them. She was soon embedded on patches worn on every trainees' A-2 leather flying jacket.
Fifi's mission: "Watch over them and keep them safe as they train to fly the Army Air Force's military aircraft in the skies over West Texas." |