Saltburn, Redcar & Cleveland Philatelic Society

The Royal Air Force

The history of the Royal Air Force, spans a century of British military aviation. The RAF was founded on 1st April 1918, towards the end of the First World War by merging the Royal FlyingCorpsandtheRoyalNavalAirService.

During the war it was responsible for the aerial defence of GreatBritain,strategicbombingcampaignagainstGermanyand tactical support to the British Army around the world. During the Cold War, the RAF took part in several large scale operations, including the Gulf War, the Kosova War, the war in Afghanistan,andtheIraqWar,andnotforgettingthelongrange conflict using Avro Vulcan bombers flying from Ascension IslandtotheFalklands.

In 2004, four RAF Panavia Tornado F3s deployed in the BalticStatesforthreemonthstoprovidetheBritishcontribution toNATO-ledBalticAirPolicingOperationsandin2005support and transport aircraft were sent to South EastAsia following the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake disaster in order to provide aid andreliefsupport.

During the interwar years the RAF had to fight for its Survival – some questioned the need for a separate air force, especially in peace time.To prevent itself from being disbanded anditsdutiesreturnedtotheArmyandtheNavy,theRAFspent considerable energies keeping itself in the public eye with the Hendon Air Show, supporting the team for the Schneider Trophy air racing competition, and producing documentary films.

In 1936 a reorganisation of the RAF Command saw the creation of Fighter Command, Bomber Command and Coastal Command, and today the RAF plays a large role in air-sea searchandrescue.

Great Britain, Jersey, and many commonwealth countries have issued stamps on the RAF. In 2008 a set of 6 stamps designed by GrahamTurner &AtelierWorks printed in litho by Walsall were issued on 18th September illustrating RAF uniforms.

In 2008 a set of 6 stamps designed by Graham Turner & Atelier Works printed in litho by Walsall were issued on 18th SeptemberillustratingRAFuniforms

In 2018, RAF Centenary year, Great Britain issued 6 stamps showing RAF military Aircraft from illustrations by Michael Turner,designedbytheRoyalMailGrouplitho.

We meet on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month at Redcar East Community Centre, Durham Rd, Redcar TS10, 7-9pm. Come and see us. For help on your collection call MartinSnowdonon01287622504

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