MF6 The Dams Raid signed Warrant Officer Colin Cole

To mark the 60th Anniversary of the Dams Raid carried out by No 617 Squadron on 16/17 May 1943 equipped with specially modified Lancasters fitted with Barnes Wallis` remarkable bouncing bomb we are releasing what will be the most popular cover we have so far issued, with stunning artwork and superb signatures.

The top part of the artwork shows Lancaster AJ-A flown by Squadron Leader H Young about to prepare to make his attack, while the lower half of the artwork shows Wing Commander Guy Gibson and his crew boarding Lancaster AJ-G. The raid was a great success and a great moral boast for the Allied war effort and immortalised in the film `the Dam Busters` released in the mid-1950s.

Each cover bears a British Forces Post Office special handstamp, dated the 16/17 May 2003, which shows the Lancaster AJ-G which Wing Commander Guy Gibson flew, and commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the Dams Raid. Furthermore the covers have been double flown in a Tornado of No 617 Squadron and also in VC 10, XV102, named `Guy Gibson VC` of No 10 Squadron.

Hand signed by Warrant Officer Colin Cole
300 Signed, Numbered and Certified

Warrant Officer Colin Cole, Hon Secretary of the Lincolnshire Lancaster Association and also a wartime member of No 617 Squadron having taken part in the raid that sank Tirpitz in November 1944 as a Wireless Operator. He remained with No 617 Squadron until January 1946 and also took part in the preparations for the 'Tiger Force'.