RAF Centenary

2018 is the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force and this stamp issue pays tribute not only to the
significant part it has played in British military history but also to its ongoing role of protecting the country
and its interests.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the oldest independent air force, i.e. independent of army and navy forces, in the world. The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the air arm of the British Army formed in 1912 until it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service on 1st April 1918 to form the Royal Air Force.

The stamps feature six RAF aircraft that span the 100 years of the RAF’s history as painted by the renowned
aeronautical artist, Michael Turner. These comprise the Sopwith Camel F1, Hurricane Mk I, Vulcan B2, Lightning F6, Nimrod MR2 and Typhoon FGR4. The stamps have been printed as three horizontal se-tenant pairs.