The Gremlin Story

Roald Dahl, author of "James and the Giant Peach", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and "Matilda", spent the early years of World War II as a fighter pilot with the Royal Air Force. In 1940, he sustained injuries in a crash that ended his flying career. As a British Attache' to the US Air Corps, he began writing and sharing stories about Gremlins - little mythical creatures blamed by English airmen for sabotaging flights and causing midair mechanical troubles.

Lt. Dahl's book Gremlins is about a RAF pilot and his relationship with the little creatures. The story is a lesson about the importance of having a loyal friend, and that "no airman ever succeeded at his or her mission without someone else's help." The book was picked up by Walt Disney studios, and the Gremlin characters, most notably Gus, became enlistees in the US propaganda campaign, appearing in cartoons and comic books alongside Donald Duck and Bugs Bunny. The female Gremlin, Fifinella, appeared on US Women Airforce Service Pilots patches and in the nose art of a B-17G Flying Fortress named Fifinella.

Exclusive Offer! In any of the gift shops here at The National WWII Museum you can find both Gus and Fifinella as well as the special edition "The Gremlins" book, but now for a limited time, we are offering a combined set of all three items at a discounted price!

Grab yours before these little monsters fly right off the shelves!