74 Squadron English Electric Lightning F3
A 600 Series (2) Limited Edition Cover
The English Electric Lightning was a fighter far ahead of its time and the prototypes spent years in development resulting in a fighter aircraft capable of Mach 2 and with an unforgettable appearance. The prototype Lightning first flew in August 1954, with the first production prototypes flying in October 1959. No 74 Squadron was the first RAF Squadron to receive the Lightning F1 in 1960. This cover shows a F3 Lightning of No 74 Squadron in 1964 showing the distinctive Tiger on the tail with Tiger stripes either side of the roundel and bears our own BFPS 2777 postmark for the 40th Anniversary of the Lightning F3 in RAF Service with No 74 Squadron 14 April 2004.
The first special has been signed by Group Captain D.C. Roome OBE FRAeS, who after gaining his pilots wings joined No 74 Squadron in March 1968, which was then based at RAF Tengah, Singapore. During his tour he took one Lightning up to 87,800 feet with the aid of a passing Victor tanker. He later converted to Phantom aircraft serving with No 23 Squadron and 228 OCU.
(200 Signed, Numbered and Certified Code AV600-2-74a)
The second variant is signed by Air Commodore D.E. Caldwell, who was Commanding Officer of No 74 Squadron from 1969-71 flying Lightning F6s based at RAF Tengah, Singapore and during his tour completed four flight refuelled sorties from Singapore to Australia. He had previously been Flight Commander of No 19 Squadron flying Lightning F2s at RAF Gutersloh from 1965-67.
(200 Signed, Numbered and Certified Code AV600-2-74b)
The third variant is signed by Air Commodore K.J. Goodwin CBE AFC, who was Commanding Officer of No 74 Squadron from 1966-1969 flying Lightning F6s. He was also attached to No 74 Squadron as part of the Aerobatic Team in 1961. He also took part in the pre-production tactical trials of the Lightning forerunner the P1B. In 1972 he was Station Commander of RAF Wattisham the home of the Lightning F3s of Nos 29 and 111 Squadrons.
(200 Signed, Numbered and Certified Code AV600-2-74c)
The four variant is signed by Air Vice-Marshal J.F.G. Howe CB CBE AFC, who was Commanding Officer of No 74 Squadron from 1960-1961 flying the very first squadron to be equipped with the Lightning F1s. He was later station commander of RAF Gutersloh the home of the Lightning F2s of Nos 19 and 92 Squadrons. He was a SAAF pilot during the Korean War joining the RAF in 1954.
(200 Signed, Numbered and Certified Code AV600-2-74d)
Covers cost £10 each
(A total of 755 covers were printed and serviced)