Falkland Islands (Malvinas), 07.05.2010
Withdrawal date: 31.05.2011
Process: lithography Stamps
Pilot Officer William McKnight DFC*
Face value: 0.65 242 Sqn - Hurricane P2961
Canada
Pilot Officer McKnight was a pilot of exceptional skill and courage who accounted for 6 confirmed and 2 probable enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain. On one day, 30 August 1940, as wingman to his Commanding Officer, (Douglas Bader), he scored no less than three on his own, a quarter of the Squadron’s victories for that day. He was awarded the DFC in June 1940 and a bar to his DFC four months later. |
Flying Officer Alan Deere DFC*
Face value: 0.65 54 Sqn - Spitfire P9398
New Zealand
Al Deere is probably one of the best known New Zealand fighter pilots. He joined the RAF in October 1937 and was posted to 54 Squadron in September 1938. He shot down his first enemy aircraft on 23 May 1940 and within six days had raised this tally to six, leading to his award of the DFC. During the Battle of Britain Deere destroyed a further eight enemy aircraft leading to the award of a Bar to his DFC in September 1940.
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Air Vice Marshal Keith Park MC* DFC
Face value: 0.65 11 Group - Hurricane P3854
New Zealand
Keith Park was a decorated fighter ace of the First World War who, by the outbreak of the Second World War had reached the rank of Air Commodore. Promoted to Air Vice Marshall in April 1940, Park was appointed as Air Officer Commanding 11 Group RAF, and was therefore responsible for protecting London and the South East of England. He was a shrewd tactician with an astute grasp of strategic issues, and sporting his white leather flying helmet, he flew between his airfields in his personalised Hawker Hurricane, OK-1, to see the situation for himself and boost the morale of the men and women in the front line.
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Flying Officer Gerald Stapleton DFC
Face value: 0.65 603 Sqn - Spitfire P7350
South Africa
Gerald Stapleton joined the RAF in January 1939, and after training was posted to 603 Squadron in October that year to fly Spitfires. He had five victories to his name before having to force land his aircraft in a field in early September. Unhurt, he took to the skies again quickly to claim four more aircraft before the Battle of Britain finished. He was awarded the DFC in November 1940.
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Flight Lieutenant John Kent DFC AFC
Face value: 0.65 303 Sqn - Hurricane V6665
Canada
Johnny Kent was the Commanding Officer of 303 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. A superb pilot, he led by example and demanded the highest standards from all who served with him. He developed a huge admiration and respect for his men, who affectionately nicknamed him ‘Johnny Kentowski’. In later years, he was adamant that Britain should never forget loyalty spirit and sacrifice of the Polish fliers in Britain’s darkest days. He accounted for 6 confirmed enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain and was awarded the DFC in October 1940.
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Sub Lieutenant (A) Francis Dawson-Paul
Face value: 0.65 64 Sqn - Spitfire L1035
Great Britain
Frank Dawson-Paul was one of 24 pilots lent to the RAF by the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm in mid-1940. He was the first naval Ace of the Second World War and the highest scoring naval pilot of the Battle of Britain, accounting for 7.5 enemy aircraft. However, luck was not always on his side and he died of wounds as Prisoner of War four days after being shot down over the English Channel.
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Flight Lieutenant James Nicolson VC
Face value: 0.65 249 Sqn - Hurricane P3576
Great Britain
James Nicolson joined the RAF in 1936 and after training joined 72 Squadron before moving to 249 Squadron in 1940. During an engagement near Southampton on 16th August, 1940, he was wounded when his Hurricane was struck, which also set his fuel tank ablaze. Just as he was about to abandon his aircraft, he sighted another enemy fighter and continued the fight, ultimately leading to the destruction of the enemy. However, by remaining with his aircraft, he sustained serious burns. His actions led to his recommendation and award of the Victoria Cross, the only fighter pilot to be so rewarded.
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Falkland Islands VII
Face value: 0.65 611 Sqn - Spitfire X4620
Spitfire X4620 was allocated to 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron at Acklington in October 1940. It was damaged in a ground accident in January 1941 and following repairs, was reallocated to 485 (Royal New Zealand Air Force) Squadron and three months later, to 123 (East India) Squadron. After several more squadron moves, it was eventually converted to a photo-reconnaissance aircraft and used predominantly in operational training and maintenance units before being struck off charge on 25 August 1944.
| Technical details:
Designer Robin Carter
Research & text Gary Rimay-Muranyi
Printer BDT International
Process Stochastic Lithography
Perforation 14 per 2cms
Stamp size 28.45 x 42.58mm
Sheet Layout 8 x 65p within a pictorial border
Production Co-ordination Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd
Over 114 days, 2927 brave young airmen from no less than 14 Allied countries, (Churchill’s ‘Few’), took to the skies to defend Britain from Nazi tyranny; sadly 544 did not return. At the start of 2010, it is believed that there were only 90 of ‘the Few’ remaining.
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| | First Day Cover Set 2 covers [4178] |
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| | Souvenir Sheetlet London 2010 - The Battle of Britain [4177] | 318.91 RUR
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