MF3 The 1,000 Bomber Raids signed MRAF Sir Michael Beetham GCB CBE DFC AFC DL FRAeS

£12.00

Product may vary slightly from image representation.
Cover to mark the 60th Anniversary of the first 1,000 Bomber Raid and as an opportunity to include the Avro Manchester in this series we have produced yet another striking commemorative cover. The top half of the artwork shows Lancasters of No 83 Squadron setting course for the intended target of Cologne, while the lower half of the artwork shows Flying Officer Leslie Manser's Avro Manchester struggling home on just one engine, unfortunately the aircraft crashed in Belgium before he could cross the channel, however his bravery in saving the lives of his crew at the cost of his own resulted in the award of the Victoria Cross.

Only three 1,000 Bomber Raids were carried out, as the concept of getting 1,000 bombers into the air was quite a feat and all resources were used including the OTUs, the first raid resulted in 898 aircraft bombing Cologne with the loss of 41 aircraft.

The cover bears a 31p Lancaster / MRAF Sir Arthur Harris aircraft stamp cancelled with BPFS postmark dated the 30 May 2002, which shows Manser's Aircraft Manchester 'VN-D' and commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the 1,000 Bomber Raids.

Furthermore the covers have been flown in Lancaster PA474 of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from RAF Coningsby on a local sortie over RAF Scampton, the former home of No 83 Squadron and Skellingthorpe where No 50 Squadron were based.

Hand signed by Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham GCB CBE DFC AFC DL FRAeS
200 Signed, Numbered and Certified

Sir Michael Beetham is the President of the Bomber Command Association and a former pilot with No 50 Squadron, being award the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944. He also served with Nos 35 and 57 Squadrons, and took part in Operation Lancaster when the Lancasters of No 35 Squadron flew a goodwill tour of the USA in July 1946.