Wikipedia:Today's featured article/November 2, 2014

Roderic Dallas (1891–1918) was an Australian fighter ace of World War I. His official score of aerial victories (39) is generally regarded as the second-highest by an Australian, after Robert Little with 47, but researchers have credited Dallas with totals from 32 to over 50. He also achieved success as a squadron leader, and was an influential tactician and test pilot. Like Little, Dallas flew with British units, rather than the Australian Flying Corps. He travelled to England at his own expense following the outbreak of war and became a pilot in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) in August 1915. Initially flying Caudrons and Nieuport 11s on the Western Front, he was chosen to test one of the earliest Sopwith Triplanes. This became his favourite type, and he achieved many victories with it through 1916–17, earning the Distinguished Service Order, and the Distinguished Service Cross and Bar. Appointed commanding officer of No. 1 Squadron RNAS in June 1917, on the establishment of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918 he took command of No. 40 Squadron. Flying Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5s, he achieved further victories before being killed in action on patrol in northern France.

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