What was Roald Dahl’s RAF aircraft during his first operational posting in World War II?

Roald Dahl flew a Gloster Gladiator during his first operational RAF posting in World War II.

After joining the Royal Air Force, Dahl trained as a pilot and was posted to No. 80 Squadron in the Middle East. He flew the Gloster Gladiator, a British biplane fighter, in combat during the early years of the war.

In September 1940, Dahl crash-landed in the Western Desert after being ordered to land at a location he could not find. He suffered severe injuries, including damage to his skull and spine, and was later transferred back to Britain for treatment. The accident ended his active flying career.

The Gladiator is sometimes confused with the Spitfire or Hurricane, better-known British fighters of the Battle of Britain. Dahl’s early operational aircraft, however, was the Gloster Gladiator.