80th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force cover personally signed by ACM Sir Neil Wheeler GCB CBE DSO DFC* AFC FRAeS and AVM Harold Bird-Wilson CBE DSO DFC* AFC*RAF(80)1g dual numberd JS(CC)41g RAF 1998 cover to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force. The cover shows the Jaguar and Harrier aircraft. The cover bears British Virgin Islands Harrier stamp for the 80th Anniversary of the RAF stamps and is cancelled on the First Day of Issue.
This cover has been personally hand signed by 1998 RAF cover signed ACM Sir Neil Wheeler GCB CBE DSO DFC* AFC FRAeS and the late Air Vice-Marshal Harold Bird-Wilson CBE DSO DFC* AFC*, Battle of Britain and fighter ace.
This is an official extra special, numbered and certified on the reverse.
ACM Sir Neil Wheeler GCB CBE DSO DFC* AFC FRAeS
Sir Neil Wheeler flew Supermarine Spitfires of the Coastal Command Photo Reconnaissance Unit ( PRU ) during the Battle of Britain flying unarmed patrols over the English Channel and was awarded his first DFC. He later commanded No 248 Squadron flying Beaufighters and earnt himself a Bar to his DFC and later a DSO for outstanding leadership and for leading and carrying out many air to sea attacks. He had an outstanding post war career retiring as an Air Chief Marshal.
Air Vice-Marshal Harold Bird-Wilson CBE DSO DFC* AFC*
Harold Bird-Wilson joined the RAF in 1937 and in 1938 became the second RAF Guinea Pig after a serious crash during a storm. He served during the Battle of France with No 17 Squadron and also the Battle of Britain and awarded the DFC. He was shot down by Adolf Galland in September 1940 and suffered serious burns. In 1941 he returned to Operations as a Flight Commander with No 234 Squadron as an 'ace' and he went on to command Nos 152 and 66 Squadrons. In 1943 he was promoted Wing Commander and led 121 Wing and 122 Wing and awarded a bar to his DFC. On 9 June 1944 he took command of the Harrowbeer Spitfire Wing until the end of the year. In January 1945 he took command of the Bentwaters Wing flying Mustangs and awarded the DSO. He went on to have a successful post war career also earning himself a AFC and bar.
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