Roald Dahl - Shot down over Libya & AR213

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24 years 2 months

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The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre at Great Missenden, Bucks...a splendid place to take the grand-kids yesterday.

Dahl was a pilot with 80 Squadron flying Gladiators and Hurricanes.

A looped screening behind the 'Gladiator' played wartime footage and also a fine personal flying display for Dahl by AR213 from nearby Booker. The camouflage and markings QG-A and C1 roundels would date the film to circa 1981. I have a good number of shots from this period but nothing that shows that large light coloured emblem by the windscreen. Was this put on just for this special display flight I wonder. Any ideas?

Mark

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/IMG_1877a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/Mark12/IMG_1873a.jpg

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Original post

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I must go there!

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18 years 6 months

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I remember many years ago reading a book of his about his exploits in Greece. Any idea what it is called? A really good read.

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14 years 11 months

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I remember many years ago reading a book of his about his exploits in Greece. Any idea what it is called? A really good read.

Solo. Also recommended (but contains more fiction than non-fiction): Over to you.

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20 years

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Going Solo, I believe.

''Going Solo is a memoir by Roald Dahl, first published by Jonathan Cape in London in 1986. It is a continuation of his autobiography describing his childhood, Boy. The book starts with Roald Dahl on a boat heading towards Dar es Salaam for his new job working for Shell Oil. He eventually joins the war effort as a pilot in the Royal Air Force, flying the Tiger Moth, Gloster Gladiator, and Hawker Hurricane. He is one of the last Allied pilots to withdraw from Greece during the German invasion. After Greece falls to the Nazis, he goes to the Middle East to fight Vichy French pilots after staying for a brief time in Alexandria, Egypt.''

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going_Solo

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24 years 2 months

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re;

I dont know anyone who hasnt got a soft spot for Roald Dahl, as part of their childhood or reading his work to their kids...

you would have thought Hurricane or Gladiator footage would better suited, but never mind. Are any genuine parts used in the Gladiator display?

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 10,029

I remember many years ago reading a book of his about his exploits in Greece. Any idea what it is called? A really good read.

'Going Solo'.

Roald Dahl's secretary very kindly gave me a copy when I was researching the dates of his first landings in Palestine. The humble new strip is now the site of a major Israeli base.

Mark

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 10,029

I dont know anyone who hasnt got a soft spot for Roald Dahl, as part of their childhood or reading his work to their kids...

you would have thought Hurricane or Gladiator footage would better suited, but never mind. Are any genuine parts used in the Gladiator display?

No original parts. It is a very rugged exhibit with interactive cockipt controls. Kids turn dials to answer with a green light - 'How many hours he flew in the RAF' etc.

Mark

Member for

14 years 11 months

Posts: 1,755

Going Solo, I believe.

Ah, yes. Solo is the Dutch translation title of Going Solo sitting on my shelves, my fault.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 3,415

re;

No original parts. It is a very rugged exhibit with interactive cockipt controls. Kids turn dials to answer with a green light - 'How many hours he flew in the RAF' etc.

Mark

Nice! A trip is on the cards...