RAF SERIES.RAF1 - 40

13 May 72 BFPS 1284 1 Squadron flown in Harrier.

Harrier Pilot signed Flt Lt Blackford.

Special Signed.Air Cdr.P.J.Fullard - 1 Sqn.Flew Nieuport depicted on cover. Shot down 53 enemy aircraft in WWl.

13 5 1972 Weeze 2 Squadron flown in Phanton

flown from RAF Laarbruch on a low level reconnaissance sortie in Germany in Phanton No 2 Sqn pilot Wg Cdr B.A.Stead OC No2 (AC).and Navigator Sqn Ldr P.R.A.Webb.

13 May 72 BFPS 1286 Postmark 3 Squadron RAF 60th Anniversary of the Formation of the Squadron 13th May 1972. Flown in Harrier of No 3 Sqn and Beaver of 669 Aviation . Added cachet reflown 26 Mar 73 from Decimomannu, Sardinia to RAF Wildenrath in Harrier Pilot Flt Lt A V Dow . Personally Signed by two Harrier Pilots Flt Lt M P Shaw & Flt Lt A V Dow. . Certified No 102 of 160 covers issued Signed Philatelic Officer.

30 Aug 72 BFPS 1301 No 4 Squadron Royal Air Force .60th Anniversary of Formation of the Squadron 30th August 1972. Picture cachet of Armstrong Whitworth Atlas No 4 Sqn & Harrier 1972 Flown Harrier.

Pilot signed

RAF 4 Sqn Signed MRAF Sir Slessor RFC Pilot WW1
30 Aug 72 BFPS 1301 No 4 Squadron Royal Air Force .60th Anniversary of Formation of the Squadron 30th August 1972. Picture cachet of Armstrong Whitworth Atlas No 4 Sqn & Harrier 1972 Personally Signed by Marshal of the RAF Sir John Cotesworth Slessor. Who in 14 Jun 1915:U/T Pilot, Brooklands Jul 1915: Pilot, No 14 Sqn, RFC. (Various types Shoreham) Sep 1915:Pilot, No 23 Sqn, RFC. (Various types - Gosport) Sep 1915: Appointed Flying Officer, RFC Dec 1915:Pilot, No 17 Sqn RFC. (BE2c Egypt/Sudan) Dec 1916: Flight Commander, No 58 Sqn RFC. (Training types - Cramlington) Apr 1917:Flight Commander, No 5 Sqn RFC/RAF. (BE2, RE8 Western Front) Feb 1918:Artillery and Infantry Co operation Officer, HQ No 28 Wing. Jul 1918:Officer Commanding, A Squadron Central Flying School. Aug 1918:Assistant Commandant Act Commandant, Central Flying School. 1919:Station Commander, Druid's Lodge, Officer Commanding, No 14 (Training) Sqn 1919: Officer Commanding, No 201 Sqn. (Cadre) Aug 1919: Transferred toUnemployed List Feb 1920:Flight Commander, No 1 Flying Training School. Dec 1920: Awarded Permanent Commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant (wef 9 Mar 1919) May 1921:Flight Commander, No 20 Sqn - India. (Bristol F2B NWF India) 1922: Supernumerary, RAF Depot.1923: Staff , Directorate of Training and Staff Duties. 1924:Attended RAF Staff College. 1925:Officer Commanding, No 4 Sqn. (Bristol F2B Farnborough) 1928: Air Staff - Plans, Directorate of Operations and Intelligence. 1930:Staff, School of Army Co-operation. Jan 1931: Attended Army Staff College, Camberley. 1932: Directing Staff - Army Staff College, Camberley. 1935:Officer Commanding No 3 (Indian) Wing. 1937: Placed on half pay list, 1937: Deputy Director of Plans.1938: Director of Plans.1939: Appointed Air ADC to the King 1941:AOC, No 5 Group - Bomber Command. 1942: Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Policy). 1943:AOC in C Coastal Command. 1944:Deputy Air C-in-C, Mediterranean Allied Air Forces C in C, RAF Mediterranean and Middle East. 1945:Air Member for Personnel 1948:Commandant, Imperial Defence College. Appointed Principal Air ADC to The King 1949: Title of appointment changed to Air ADC to The King . 1950: Chief of the Air Staff. Certified Copy No 429 of 950

9 Squadron - commemorating sinking of the Tirpitz.

Pilot signed

Special.Norway stamp

16 Sep 72 BFPS 1302 32nd Anniversary Battle of Britain Special Postmark on 3p Church stamp No 29 ( F ) Squadron Flown in Lightning

29 Sqdn. BBC stamp

Pilot signed Church stp.

Pilot Signed BBC Stamp.

SpI. French Flight

Signed.by Wg Cdr Hawtin OC 29 Sqn & Demon pilot & Viscount Runciman of Doxford OBE. AFC.

511 Squadron

Pilot signed

SpeciaI.Signed Hutchings OC 511 Sqn.

28th Nov 1972 30th Anniv Operation torch Flown from Gibraltar 202 Squadron RAF

Pilot signed

Flown RAF 202 Squadron Cover Signed 5
8th Nov 1972 Gibraltar 30th Anniversary Operation Torch. Black Flown cachet Flown on Special Flight covering the operational deployment of No 202 Squadron in Westland Whirlwind from Leconfield to Leuchars Acklington and Coltishall. Personally Signed by Sqn Ldr Reekie OC 202 Squadron & Signed by each of the 4 Flight Commanders.OC A Flight Ackington, OC B Flight Leconfield, OC C Flight Leuchars & OC D Flight Coltishall 4 Backstamps RAF Post Room Ackington 7 Dec 72 , RAF Post Room Leconfield 15 Nov 72 RAF Leuchars Post Room 4 Dec 1972, RAF PO Coltishall Norwich Certified copy No of 1250.

201 Squadron

Pilot signed

Special.Round the World Flight.Signed by Nimrod pilot Wg Cdr.J.M.Alcock and crew of 11 .

RAF9AIH as RAF9a but special printed cachet, Signed by Lord Balfour of Inchtyre, World War 1 Morane - Saulnier Pilot ( aircraft shown on the cover ) & Wg Cdr J Harris CO 201 Sqn.Certified of 60 covers issued.

72 Squadron

Signed both Pilots

RAF FDC. 72 Sqn Signed AVM Hazlewood & OC 72 Sqn
2 Mar 73 BFPS 1306 No 72 Sqn RAF Commemorating the 55th Operational Anniversary of the Sqn Flown in Wessex HC 11 From RAF Odiham to RAF Wittering and then to RAF Benson . Personally Signed by Air Vice Marshal Hazlewood AOC 38 Group & Wg Cdr McKinnon OC 72 Squadron. 3 backstamps RAF Odiham, RAF Wittering, RAF Benson, Certified Copy of 1250.

RAF FDC 230 Sqn Signed Rodway WW1 Air Mechanic
15 Apr 73 BFPS 1308 postmark No 230 RAF 60th Anniversary of the Formation of the Squadron . Blue flown cachet Flown in Puma of 230 Sqn from RAF Oliham via Westland Helicopters Yeovil to Westland Heliport London

Crew Signed

RAF 11c FDC 230 Sqn Double Signed
15 Apr 73 BFPS 1308 postmark No 230 RAF 60th Anniversary of the Formation of the Squadron . Blue flown cachet Flown in Puma of 230 Sqn from RAF Oliham via Westland Helicopters Yeovil to Westland Heliport London. Personally Signed by Air Cdre P H L Scott AFC RAF, British Air Attache Paris and Wing Commander P D A Austin AFC RAF, Pilot and Squadron Commander. Certified Copy No of 1250

26 Jun 73 BFPS 1401 No 18 Sqn RAF 25th Anniversary Berlin Airlift 26th June 1948. Cover depicts DH 4 & Wessex. Orange Flown Cachet flown from RAF Gutersloh to GAF Wunstorf in an 18 Sqn Wessex

Crew Signed

Bremerhaven cachet. Crew Signed

54 Squadron

Signed 2 Pilots

5 Squadron

Pilot signed

8 Aug 73 BFPS 1412 International Air Day RAF ST Mawgan 42 Squadron

Signed Captain Sqn Ldr G R Phillips and Pilot Flt Lt R T D'Andrea.

17 Squadron - 33rd Anniv. of Battle of Britain.

Signed.Pilot & Nay.

92 Squadron 33rd Anniv. Battle of Britain.

Pilot signed

3.5p def.pmk Talyllyn Railway with added 3p & l5c Rail stamps.

As RAF17b but also Signed by General Adolf Galland (head of the Luftwaffe's fighters and an ace with over 100 aerial victories) Erich Rudorffer, Knights Cross with Swords WW11 Ace with 222 victories; 13 in one mission; 10 4 -engined bombers and 12 jet victories.Col D.E.Neumann JG27 Messerschmitt Fight Pilot Battle of Britain about 50 missions over England 13 victories.

51 Squadron

Pilot signed

360 Squadron

Special Signed.Air Vice Marshal D.G.Evans Air Officer Commanding 1 Group.

as RAF19b but Signed by Alan W Gear DFC 32 Hurricane Sqn, Battle of Britain fighter pilot.
Sqn Ldr G Leggett 615, 245 & 46 Battle of Britain fighter pilot,
Sqn LDr H.M.T.Heron 266 & 46 Sqn Battle of Britain Fighter pilot.
Avis Hearn awarded M M for Bravery during Battle of Britain whilst under stuka attack on poling radar station Aug 1940. Trevor Gray 64 Sqn Sqn Battle of Britain fighter pilot . and by Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots Lt Hermann Neuhoff Knights Cross 16 6 1942 with the 111.JG53 1st Victory 2 3 1940 . On the 10 4 1942 shot down by another German aircraft over Malta and taken prisoner. 452 missions 40 Victories ( 21 Russia) also .
Erich Hartmann, the son of a doctor, was born in Weissach,Germany, on 19th April, 1922. He joined the Luftwaffe and was sent to the Eastern Front in the autumn in 1942. An outstanding pilot he was appointed Squadron Commander of Fighter Group 53 in 1944. Flying a ME109 it is claimed he made 352 kills during WW11. In 30 months of fighting he flew 1,425 combat missions and was shot down sixteen times but was never wounded. Erich Hartmann was captured by the Red Army in 1945 and held in a prison camp for ten years. After his release in 1955 he joined the West German Air force Top WW11 Fighter pilot..Details enclosed

31 jan 74 BFPS 1423 6 Squadron

18 Feb 1424 Postmark 21 Squadron Operation Jericho

Pilot signed

Special Signed.Townsend WW1 pilot & Louis SeIIier French resistance interned in Amiens raid.

13 Fe 74 Lincoln 27 Squadron. Flown Westabout around the World in Vulcan XL 425

4 Apr 74 BFPS 1453 Postmark. 19 Squadron Flown Lightning

19 Sqn RAF FDC Flown Lightning Signed Pilot plus 3
4 Apr 74 BFPS 1453 25th Anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Special Postmark on QE 10p stamp. No 19 Squadron Royal Air Force, 25th Anniversary of the Formation of NATO. Cover depicts 19 Squadron Dolphin E4514 in France 1918, English Electric Lighting F2A XN773 at RAF Gutersloh ( Germany ) in 1974 and 19 Squadron badge. Flown in Lightning FMk2A Bravo of 19 Squadron on a radar interception sortie. Personally Signed by NATO Commander ACM Sir Lewis Hodges RAF, Also Signed by , Colonel A Van Oosten Royal Netherlands Air Force who was captured by the Japanese and worked on the Burma Railway until his liberation in 1945 and Brig General Ghenne Belgian Air Force, who was an active member of Belgium's Secret Army and Wing also Wg Cdr Vangucci who flew Vampires and became CO of No19 Squadron commanding Officer RAF Gutersloh and Lightning Pilot. Backstamps Air Chief Marshal Deputy Commander in Chief Allied Forces Central Europe, Unit Nat Support 2 ATAF Rhindhalen, 19 Sqn Dolphin, NAK Commandant NORTHAG/ TWOAAF and RAF Post Office Gutersloh BFPO 47 4 Apr 74. RAF Ref No 23c Certified copy of of 1244 signed by the Project Officer.

1 May 74 BFPS 1436 Postmark Flown in Canberra 7 Squadron, Flown in Canberra

Sqn.Pilot & Nay.

Special Signed.Sir Alan Boxer DSO. DFC.Assumed Command no 7 Sqn & Wg Cdr A E Radnor The Sqn Commander.

100 Squadron

Pilot signed

RAF FDC 100 Sqn Signed R P Beamont
13 Nov 74 BFPS 1437 100 Sqn Royal Air Force 25th Anniversary of First Flight of the Canberra 13 May 1974. Cover depicts a 100 RFC France 1917 160 HP Beardmore & a Canberra. Red flown cachet flown by Wg Cdr R P Beamont from British Aircraft Corporation Airfield Warton in a 100 Sqn Canberra T MK 4 No WJ 861 to commemorate the first Canberra flight by him on 13th May 1949 Personally Signed Wg.Cdr.R.P.Beamont.Battle of Britain Fighter pilot with 87 (F) WW11 Ace.(5).Shot down 13th October 1944 spent the rest of the war as a P.O.W..After repatriation became experimental test pilot with the Gloster Aircraft Company then moved to De Havilland as a demonstration pilot ,then to English Electric Company.Beamont managed all the prototype tests on the Canberra, establishing two Atlantic records.He then undertook the P.1 Lightning test programme during which he became the first British test pilot to fly at the speed of sound in a level flight and the first pilot to fly a British Aircraft at twice the speed of soundCertified Copy of 1236 Signed. Backstamps No 100 Sqn 13 May 1974 RAF.

543 Squadron

Signed.Miss C.Babington - Smith.MBE Photo interpreter.Author of Evidence in Camera

43 Squadron - 34th Anniv. Battle of Britain.

Sgn. Pilot & Nay.

as RAF17b but Signed by Alan W Gear DFC 32 Hurricane Sqn, Battle of Britain fighter pilot.
Sqn Ldr G Leggett 615, 245 & 46 Battle of Britain fighter pilot,
Sqn Ldr H.M.T.Heron 266 & 46 Sqn Battle of Britain Fighter pilot.
Avis Hearn awarded M M for Bravery during Battle of Britain whilst under stuka attack on poling radar station Aug 1940.
Trevor Gray 64 Sqn Sqn Battle of Britain fighter pilot . Russell C Haworth ( Krazy Kid ) Mustangs fighter Ace with 5 Me 109s shot down WW11 ace
and by Luftwaffe Fighter Pilots Lt Johann Pichler Knights Cross August 1940 with the 111.JG77Total of about 700 missions, 75 victories ( 29 East, 16 four engined) several ships sunk near Crete, also .
Erich Hartmann, the son of a doctor, was born in Weissach,Germany, on 19th April, 1922. He joined the Luftwaffe and was sent to the Eastern Front in the autumn in 1942. An outstanding pilot he was appointed Squadron Commander of Fighter Group 53 in 1944. Flying a ME109 it is claimed he made 352 kills during WW11. In 30 months of fighting he flew 1,425 combat missions and was shot down sixteen times but was never wounded. Erich Hartmann was captured by the Red Army in 1945 and held in a prison camp for ten years. After his release in 1955 he joined the West German Air force Top WW11 Fighter pilot.Details enclosed

9 Oct 74 BFPS 1874 Special Churchill Postmark on 4 1/2 p Churchill Stamp. 12 Squadron. Flown in Buccaneer

Sgn. Pilot & Nay.

Special Signed Air Vice Marshal A Grey CB MC & Wg Cdr N MacMillan OBE AFC ML

10 Squadron

10 Ja 75 Vallet postmark Postmark 13 Squadron Flown Canberra from RAF Luqu

Sgn.Capt - 5c stamp

Special Signed.Kenya - Vice Pres.His Excellency Daniel Arap.

1 3 75 Weeze Postmark 15 Squadron Flown in Buccaneer

Sgn.Piiot & Nay.

Special Signed.Sqn.Ldr.Boggis DFC/pilot MacRobert’s

24 Mar 75 BFPS 1491 30th Anniversary Operation Varsity, 48 Squadron Flown in Hercules

Signed Captain 5 ½p Churchill stamp

Sigfned Captain Wg Cdr K G Baynes 7p stamp

RAF 48 Sqn Signed M Tugwell Parachute Regt
24 Mar 75 BFPS 1491 30th Anniversary Operation Varsity . Picture cachet of Bristol F2B 1917, Dakota 1944 & Lockheed Hercules. Red Cachet Dropped with a stick of 13 Paratroops of the Parachute Regiment on Everleigh DZ, on Salisbury Plain from Hercules C Mk1 XV 205 of No 48 Squadron Captain Flt Lt A B Law Personally Signed by Brigadiar Maurice Tugwell who was commissioned as an emergency officer into the Parachute Regiment in June 1944, and became a regular after the war. He served in Palestine, Malaya, Cyprus, the Persian Gulf, Germany, Singapore and Iran, rising to the rank of Brigadiar. He is editor and part author of the Unquiet Peace and author of Airbourne to Battle.Details enclosed. Ceritified Copy of 1173 Signed.

RAF 48 Sqn Signed Pilot Todd
24 Mar 75 BFPS 1491 30th Anniversary Operation Varsity . Picture cachet of Bristol F2B 1917, Dakota 1944 & Lockheed Hercules. Black Flown in Hercules cachet of 48 Sqn from Lyneham to Germany and Return . Red added reflown cachet reflown on the last route flight prior to the disbandment of No 48 Squadron on 9th January 1976. Carried in Hercules C Mk1 XV 293 of 48 Sqn from Lyneham to Bardufoss Norway and return. Personally Signed by Captain Flt Lt J S Todd. Certified Copy No 45 of 1295 Signed.

Signed by R.Mortimer former member of No.2 Fwd.Obs.unit RA Btn.Airborne Div.

8 5 1975 Aisne 30th Anniversary of VE Day No 57 Squadron Flown Victor

Sgn.65c Phoenix stamp

20 Squadron

Harrier Pilot signed Flt Lt A L Lowton

RAF34c FDC 20 Sqn Special Signed 3 Pilot
6 Jul 1975 BFPS 1513 RAF Wildenrath Special Postmark. RAF 20 Squadron Royal Air Force Open Day at RAF Wildenrath 6th Air Force .Cover depicts WW1 Bristol Scout 1916 Hurricane 1944 & Harrier Personally Signed by Air Vice Marshal R.P.Harding , Mentioned in despatches , took command 20 SQn 1946,flying Spitfires , flying tours with 256 & 96 Sqns. Appointed Officer Commanding RAF Valley July 1965

Air Chief Marshall Sir Patrick Hine . He became Air Officer C in C for RAF Strike Command and C in C for the UK Air Forces in 1988 to 91. He has also been the Military Adviser to British Aerospace Plc since 1992 . He served with Nos 1, 93, 111 Sqns from 1952 to 69. Also during this time was a member of Treble One's famous Black Arrows aerobatic team. He then Commanded No 92 Sqn in 1962 to 64. flew Lightings. & Wg.Cdr.D.C.G.Brook Was hunter Pilot 1 Sqn, joined 14 Sqn Still flying HuntersTook over commandard of 20 SQn in January 1974. Full details enclosed. Certified 255 of 1250 Signed Project Officer.

Open Day—Flown Harrier pilot signed

Signed by Lt H G Sullivan Naval Lieutenant served with 491 flight amalgamated with 407 & 471 Flight August 1918 became 233 Sqn. Flew DH 4 & DH9 aircraft on Coastal & Cross Channel Patrols . On the 8th Aug 1918 made a forced landing in the sea with engine trouble .Rescued unhurt.

15 Aug 75 BFPS 1492 30th Anniversary of VJ Day Special Postmark No 101 Squadron Royal Air Force. 30th Anniversary of VJ Day

Vulcan. Crew signed

46 Squadron (Hurricane)

Signed Captain Sqn Ldr B Smith

RAF FDC No 46 Sqn Signed WW1 Pilot & Dean
No 46 Squadron Royal Air Force Disbandment of the Squadron 31st August 1975. Cover depicts 46 Sqn Neuport 12 in France 1916,Hurricane 1 in 1940, Hawker Siddeley Andover C Mk 1 . Personally Signed by Dr Hussey Dean of Chichester who received the Squadron Standard and Flt Lt 'Bunny' Partridge who joined 46 Squadron in 1918 flying Sopwith Camels in opposition to Richthofen's Circus which was then commanded by Hermann Goring. Whilst returning from a Trench strafing sortie in 1918 he crashed and lost a leg.


46 Sqn Pilot in 1918 .Originally trained with the RNAS but joined No 46 Squadron. Certified Copy No of 1250.

Special as above but Signed by Rt Hon Roy Mason MP 100 numbered & issued.

As RAF 36a But Signed by Wolfgang Falck Knights Cross Early 1939 with JG2 Richthofen,then Staffelkapitan 2/ZG76 during the Polish campaign, Commander 1/ZG1 from February 1940 > He organised as Kommodore the NJG 1 from 26 6 1940 on and led it until 30 6 1943. From then on in several fighter leader or staff positions. About 90 missions total of 7 victories as a destoyer. Flew in the Battle of Britain . Certified Cover no 1 of 8 issued. details enclosed.

111 Squadron

Special Signed.Air Cdr.P.A.Latham

21 Dec 75 Jersey. Honouring 56 ( F ) Squadron RAF Flown lightning

Pilot signed

kiel

as RAF38cbut R C Newman Signature missing but Signed by a General Adolf Galland (head of the Luftwaffe's fighters and an ace with over 100 aerial victories), Erich Rudorffer KC, OL,S. 1000 missions, 222 victories. Shot down 16 times.Flew in Battle of Britian with JG 54.Alan W Gear DFC 32 Hurricane Sqn, Battle of Britain fighter pilot.Sqn Ldr G Leggett 615, 245 & 46 Battle of Britain fighter pilot, Sqn Ldr H.M.T.Heron 266 & 46 Sqn Battle of Britain Fighter pilot.Avis Hearn awarded M M for Bravery during Battle of Britain whilst under stuka attack on poling radar station Aug 1940.Trevor Gray 64 Sqn Sqn Battle of Britain fighter pilot .

26 Feb 76 203 Squadron

203 SquadronSpecial Signed.King & McLees

Special Signed. N.Monsarrat (AUTHOR)

1 Feb 76 BFPS1522 60th Anniversary of No 35 Squadron flown cachet Flown in Vulcan B2 XJ825 RAF Scampton on Night Bombing and Navigation Sortie. Flight time 5 hours 15 mins.

RAF No 35 Sqn Flown in Vulcan Signed Bennett pathfinder.
1 Feb 76 BFPS1522 60th Anniversary of No 35 Squadron Brown flown cachet Flown in Vulcan XL 443 RAF Marham to RAF Scampton on Bombing and Navigation Sortie. Flight time 2 hours 40 Minutes. Personally Signed by Air Vice Marshal D C T Bennett. He was initially told that he would be appointed a Group Capt in Training Command, but when this was downgraded to Squadron Leader, he declined the offer, He was eventually granted the rank of Wing Commander and sent to establish a Navigation School at Eastbourne. Having successfully set up this school, he requested an active assignment and was appointed CO of No 77 Squadron. He flew on operations as often as possible but always with a different crew by replacing that crew's pilot, that way he was able to assess the efficiency of all his crews. April 1942 brought a move to the command of No 10, newly equipped with the four-engined Halifax. Later the same month (27th), he took part in a combined raid by No's 10, 35 and 76 squadron against the Tirpitz. Hit by flak his aircraft caught fire and he set course for Sweden. Unable to make Sweden he ordered his crew to bale out whilst he remained at the controls before making his own escape. Landing in deep snow he located his wireless operator and with the help of friendly Norwegians he managed to cross the border into Sweden and eventually return to Britain resuming command of his squadron one month after baling out and to receive an immediate DSO. However, when No 10 Sqn was posted to the Middle East, he did not accompany them as he was summoned to HQ Bomber Command to see the AOC in C, Arthur Harris, his old CO from the flying boat days. Certified copy No of 1250 .

Signed by D.L.Perry & N.C.Stevens 35 Sqn. Flt.Eng.