1995 Communications RAF FDC signed by Wing Commander BARRETT Officer Commanding 32 Squadron Cover bears full set of 1995 Communications stamps cancelled on 1st Day of Issue with BFPS 2471 postmark depicting 32 Squadron's crest.
Stamps depict Marconi and Sir Rowland Hill
Cover also depicts the Squadron Badge of 32 Squadron and a BAe 146 Bae 125 and Wessex which were the aircraft flown by 32 Squadron.
Cover has been flown in BAe 146 ZE701 from RAF Northolt on a tour of the Gulf States of Bahrein, Qatar and Kuwait undertaken by Her Royal Highness The Pricess Royal
Cover is signed by Wing Commander A J Barrett Officer Commanding 32 Squadron
32 Squadron
Number 32 Squadron was formed at Netheravon on 12 January 1916 from a nucleus provided by Number 21 Squadron. Following a three-month work-up period on DH2s, the Squadron departed for France at the end of May. Barely a month later, on 1 July, the CO, Major LWB Rees, spotted a formation of eight enemy aircraft and elected to attack. Despite the odds, and injuries, Major Rees managed to force two aircraft down out of control before his ammunition ran out. For this gallant action, Major Rees was awarded the Victoria Cross. In later battles on the Western Front, the Squadron carried out low-level strafing of troops with DH5s and SE5As.
Shortly after the end of the War, the Squadron returned to the UK and was disbanded. No. 32 Squadron reformed at Kenley on 1 April 1923, and in the following years flew many fighters including Grebes, Gamecocks and Bulldogs before receiving Hurricanes in October 1938.
During the early days of the Battle of Britain, No. 32 Squadron suffered heavy losses and was withdrawn from the frontline until 1942. At the end of the year, the Squa+-dron departed for North Africa and, after trading its Hurricanes for Spitfires, continued on through the Continent and on to Italy and Greece.
Just prior the end of the War, No. 32 moved to Palestine for a three-year tenure before moving again to Cyprus in 1948. Almost immediately, Vampires replaced the trusty Spitfires, and these survived until 1955 when replaced by Venoms. Two years later, the role of the Squadron was again changed, this time to light bomber, and Canberras were received prior to deployment to Cyprus. In February 1969, the unit disbanded in Cyprus, only to reform the next day at Northolt, taking over the role and aircraft of the Metropolitan Communications Squadron. In April 1995, following amalgamation with The Queens Flight, the Squadron became No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron, and today operates BAe 125s, BAe 146s and Squirrel helicopters. The BAE 125 aircraft of the squadron have even seen operational action, being deployed to the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq to provide in-theatre VIP transportation.
Aircraft: BAe 125 CC3, BAe 146 CC2, Squirrel HCC1
Motto: Adeste comites - 'Rally round, comrades'.
Badge: A hunting horn stringed - approved by King George VI in December 1936. The horn signified the unit's ability to hunt the enemy.
Battle Honours: Western Front 1916-1918, Somme 1916-1918, Arras, Ypres 1917*, Amiens*, France and Low Countries 193-1940*, Battle of Britain 1940*, Home Defence 1940-1942, Dieppe*, North Africa 1942-1943*, Italy 1943, South East Europe 1944-1945*, Gulf 1991.
Honours marked with an asterisk, are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard
BAe 125
The British Aerospace 125 (BAE 125) can carry up to seven passengers and is crewed by two pilots and carries a steward/stewardess when required. The first versions of this VIP aircraft were built by the Hawker Siddeley company and known as HS125 CC1s. They were delivered to the RAF between April 1971 and 1972, and two improved aircraft known as HS125 CC2s followed in April 1973. Six more BAE 125 CC3s joined No 32 Squadron in 1982-83 and it is these aircraft that remain in service today - the CC1s and CC2s having retired during the 1990s.
BAE 125 Specifications
Engines: Two Garrett turbofans
Length: 50ft 8.5in (15.46m)
Wingspan: 47ft (14.33m)
Top Speed: 533 mph (858 km/h)
Accommodation: Up to seven passengers
The BAE 125 CC3 can maintain a cruising speed of between 415 and 485mph (670-780 km/h) at an altitude of up to 41,000ft (12,480m) over a range of 2,000 miles (3,220km).
Roles VIP transport for up to seven people.
Armament No weapons are carried.
BAE 146
In June 1983, the RAF leased a pair of BAE 146 aircraft to test their suitability as replacements for Andover aircraft which had served in the VIP role since the mid-1960s. Following successful completion of the trials, three aircraft were later purchased and they entered service from 1986 onwards.
The 146 was the first jet aircraft to be operated by the Royal Flight and offered twice the speed of the Andover, 60 percent greater range, the ability to fly above bad weather and an increase from twelve to nineteen seats in the passenger cabin. Quiet and spacious, the 146 also possesses excellent short take-off and landing capabilies.
BAE 146 Specifications
Engines: Four Avco Lycoming turbofans
Length: 85ft 10in (26.18m)
Wingspan: 86ft 5in (26.8m)
Top Speed: 400mph (640km/h)
Accommodation: Crew of six and up to 19 passengers
Roles VIP transport for up to 19 people.
Armament No weapons are carried.
Twin Squirrel
The Twin Squirrel is a twin engined development of the earlier Squirrel, and was selected by the RAF to perform in the VIP passenger role. Twin engined helicopters have far more flexibility of operation in peacetime than do the single engined variety, the Civil Aviation Authority rules governing the use of single engined helicopters, particularly over built up areas, are restrictive on the use of these aircraft. To allow the flexibility required by the RAF in this role, a twin engined aircraft was needed, and the Twin Squirrel was the logical choice, as it has a great deal in common with the Single Squirrel in service with the Joint Defence Helicopter School at RAF Shawbury.
Twin Squirrel Specifications
Engines: Two Allison 250-C20R turboshafts
Length: 42ft 5.5in (12.94m)
Rotor Diameter: 35ft 0.75in (10.69m)
Top Speed: 172mph (278 km/h)
Accommodation: Two pilots' seats and three or four seats in the main cabin.
Roles VIP transport
Armament None
We usually have lots of other items up for sale so why not have a look
