Royal Mail celebrates Red Arrows’ anniversary season with stamp collection

ABOVE: A specially-designed set of 12 stamps commemorates the team’s 60^th anniversary season

The Royal Mail has unveiled a unique collection of stamps, issued to mark the 60^th anniversary of the UK’s world-renowned aerobatic team, the Red Arrows.

‘Each stamp in the main set of eight tells a story of precision, skill and sheer daring as the Red Arrows paint the sky with their trademark red, white and blue trails,” explains Royal Mail. Three of the images were also taken by Bristol-born aviation author, photographer and journalist, Peter March.

The Folland Gnat (the team’s original mount) features in early images, including a 1968 depiction of the team’s trademark ‘Diamond Nine’ formation. Following the replacement of the Gnat with the BAE Systems Hawk T.1 in 1979, the latter aircraft also features prominently, with manoeuvres such as the Synchro Pair inverted pass and the Vulcan Break also represented.

An additional set of four stamps showcases the team’s performance on the world stage, including the team flying over Cyprus’ Akrotiri Coast, North America’s Niagara Falls and Egypt’s pyramids – with the team having ‘thrilled and entertained millions of people around the world’ since their official inception in 1964.

“As well as celebrating this heritage, these new stamps – many of which feature brilliant images taken by skilled RAF personnel – will hopefully inspire many more people using the wonder of aviation, just like each of our colourful, dynamic displays,” said Squadron Leader Jon Bond; Team Leader and Red 1 for 2024.

IMAGE: ROYAL MAIL