LINCOLNSHIRE LANCASTER ASSOCIATION (LLA) COVER SERIES

A series of ten covers produced by the Lincolnshire Lancaster Association to raise funds for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from 1976 through to 1987. We have also listed the Finningley 1986 cover as it in a similar style and shows a Lancaster on the artwork.

Here is a list of all those produced in this series to act as a reference:

LA1 - 35th Anniversary of the Lancaster in RAF Service LA1 commemorates the 35th anniversary of the entry into RAF service or the Avro Lancaster on Christmas Eve 1941. The special signed version has been signed by Wing Commander WA Mears, OC 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron in 1976, and Squadron Leader KR Jackson AFC, Lancaster pilot and OC BBMF. The covers have been flown in Vulcan XM652 of 44 Squadron and is signed by the 5 members of the Vulcan crew on the reverse and comes with colour photograph of Lancaster PA474. LA1 - no unsigned covers - only special signed issued

LA2 - 35th Anniversary of the Augsburg Raid LA2 commemorates the 35th Anniversary of the Augsburg Raid - 17th April 1942 - and the award of the Victoria Cross to Squadron Leader John Nettleton who led the daring daylight bombing raid. The special signed covers have been signed by Mrs Nettleton (Nettleton's widow). Covers have been flown in a AEF Chipmunk from RAF Newton over RAF Waddington & RAF Woodhall Spa and is signed on the reverse by the pilot Flight Lieutenant D Calvert of No 44 Squadron. The cover contains a Black & white photograph of Nettleton, and photocopy of Newspaper article regarding the VC and a copy of the letter from the Prime Minister to AOC-in-C bomber command regarding the raid. LA2 - no unsigned covers - special signed Mrs Nettleton

LA3 - 35th Anniversary of the first Operational use of 'window' LA3 commemorates the 35th Anniversary of the first operational use of 'window' by RAF Bomber Command at 00025 hours on 25th July 1943.  Window being small strips of metal foil which successfully blinded German radar thus saving many Allied aircrew members. The special signed cover is signed by Martin Middlebrook, a well respected military research and is signed on the reverse by the crew of a No 260 Squadron Canberra equipped with Electronic Counter Measures.  The covers contains insert card and black and white photograph of Lancaster VN-N and colour photograph of the Canberra crew. LA3 - no unsigned covers - special signed Martin Middlebrook

LA4 - 35th Anniversary of the Sinking of the Tirpitz LA4 commemorates the 35th Anniversary of the sinking of the German Battleship Tirpitz by Lancasters of Nos 9 and 617 Squadron. The covers have been flown in Vulcan XM 607 of No IX Squadron and Vulcan XL 392 of No 617 Squadron. The covers contain an insert card on the history of Tirpitz as well as a photograph of Tirpitz and a black and white copy of a painting of a IX Squadron Lancaster dropping its bomb. LA4 - unsigned covers - special signed

LA5 - 35th Anniversary of Operation Lancaster LA5 commemorates the 35th Anniversary of Operation Lancaster, the code name for the goodwill tour of the United States by Lancasters of No 35 Squadron. The covers have been flown in Vulcan XL 319 of No 25 Squadron from RAF Scampton to the US and then flown in B 17G 'Texas Raiders' before being flown back from the US via Canada. The special signed covers have been signed by Ray Leach, who was the Vulcan Nav Plotter and Detachment Commander. Various inserts included details on Operation Lancaster and flight details. LA5 - unsigned covers - special signed MRAF Sir Michael Beetham

LA6 - Disbandment of No 44 Squadron LA6 commemorates the disbandment of No 44 Squadron and flown on the last Vulcan Bomber Sortie and the last Vulcan Bomber Scramble. The last practice bombing sortie was made in Vulcan XM 597 on 14th December 1942, while the final scramble and flypast was made in Vulcan XM 607 - both Vulcans had been used in Operation Black Buck during the Falklands War. The covers contain flight details inside cover along with black and white photographs of the final flypast and also Vulcan crew in front a No 44 Squadron Vulcan. LA6 - unsigned covers - special signed Sqn Ldr Montgomery

LA7 - Closure of RAF Hospital Nocton Hall LA7 commemorates the closure of RAF Hospital Nocton Hall. A crash landed Lancaster from No 44 Squadron is shown on the front of the cover next to an ambulance while the left hand side of the artwork shows Nocton Hall.  The covers have been flown in Vulcan XM 572 of No IX Squadron commemorating the 23rd Anniversary of the Freedom of the City of Lincoln being given to RAF Waddington.  The covers have been reflown in Lancaster PA 474. Two photographs and insert card inside each cover. LA7 - unsigned covers - special signed Mayor, CO and Matron

LA8 - 40th Anniversary of Operation Taxable LA8 commemorates the 40th Anniversary of Operation Taxable where Lancasters of No 617 Squadron dropped 'window' over the English Channel on the night of the 5th June 1944 in preparation for D-Day.  The covers have been flown in Lancaster PA 474 over the D-Day Beaches and contain insert cards regarding Operation Taxable and a colour postcard of the D-Day beaches map. LA8 - unsigned covers - special signed by pilot

LA9 - 40th Anniversary of Operation Manna LA9 commemorates the 40th Anniversary of Operation Manna showing a RAF Lancaster dropping food for the Dutch People during April/May 1945. The covers have been flown in Lancaster PA 474 to Holland and each covers contains a card with full flight details, information on Operation Manna and three black and white printed photographs taken during Operation Manna. LA9 - unsigned covers - special signed Sqn Ldr Houldsworth

LA10 - 30th Anniversary of the Formation of the BBMF LA10 commemorates the 30th Anniversary of the formation of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which was formed at RAF Biggin Hill in 1957.  The artwork shows Lancaster Hurricane and Spitfire, which are also used in the postmark along with Hurricane stamp. The covers have been flown in Lancaster PA 474 from RAF Coningsby to RAF Abingdon. LA10 - unsigned covers - special signed pilot and LAA Chairman

FIN - 50th Anniversary of RAF Finningley This cover produced for the RAF Finningley Open Day in 1986 commemorates the 50th Anniversary of RAF Finngley, and the artwork shows Lancaster PO-S of No 467 Squadron and has been flown in Lancaster PA 474 and signed by the pilot Squadron leader AF Banfield.  The cover bears the MRAF Sir Arthur Harris / Lancaster stamp cancelled on the first day of issue. Finningley cover - unsigned covers - pilot or crew signed

Those currently available for purchase are currently listed in our online shop.