Gloster Gauntlet in Australian Service

The Royal Australian Air Force operated the Gloster Gauntlet during World War Two in North Africa. Due to delays in the arrival of Westland Lysanders, No. 3 Squadron RAAF equipped a flight with Gloster Gladiators and Gauntlets.

The unit received six Gloster Gauntlets early in October 1940 for dive-bombing and strafing ground attack missions. Gauntlet operations ceased in mid-December 1940 although the squadron continued to operate Gloster Gladiators alongside its Westland Lysanders. From 21 January 1941 No. 3 Squadron RAAF re-equipped with Hawker Hurricanes.

For a brief period in 1941, No. 3 Squadron again operated the Gloster Gauntlet, this time to assist pilots convert from the Hurricane to Curtiss Tomahawk fighters. Two Gauntlets were operated for several weeks from 30 May 1941.