Cover from The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force Series. Cover bears full set of 1996 Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust stamps which depict Whooper Swan, Bittern, White Fronted Goose, Lapwing and Muscovy Duck. Stamps have been cancelled on First Day of Issue with BFPS 2499 for 202 Squadron.
Cover bears the Sea King of 202 Squadron and the Squadron Crest of 202 Squadron.
Cover has been flown in Sea King HAR3 XZ585 from RAF Boulmer on SAR training which included deck winching on fishing vessels in North Sea, cliff winching and drum winching.

Cover has been signed by Wing Commander O D Wright Officer Commanding 202 Squadron

202 Squadron

Like its sister unit, No 201 Squadron, No 202 can trace its history back to the early days of naval aviation. It was formed at Eastchurch on 17 October 1914, and employed a motley selection of types on operations against Belgian ports and anti-Zeppelin patrols. The unit was swallowed up by No 2 Wing, RNAS in June 1915, but reformed from 'B' Squadron, No 1 Wing, RNAS, on 5 November 1916 at St Pol in France with Farman F40s which were used for reconnaissance over Belgium. These were replaced by DH4s in March 1917, and even after the unit became No 202 Squadron, RAF on 1 April 1918, it continued its bombing and patrol duties over southern Belgium. After the Armistice, the Squadron's aircraft were dispersed amongst other squadrons and No 202 disbanded in January 1920.

The Squadron briefly reformed in Egypt between April 1920 and May 1921 before inter-service rivalries and economies eventually won. On 1 January 1929, No 481 Flight flying Fairey IIID floatplanes out of Kalafrana, Malta was redesignated No 202 (Flying Boat) Squadron. Flying boats in the shape of Scapas did not arrive until 1935 but these were replaced two years later by Londons. The Squadron was placed on a high state of alert during the Spanish Civil War and Munich Crisis, but both incidents passed uneventfully. Within days of the Second World War starting, the unit moved to Gibraltar and took over a number of Swordfish floatplanes. Both types were involved in a series of clashes with the Vichy French Forces and these continued until 1941 when the first Catalinas arrived. After participating in the invasion of North Africa in the autumn of 1942, the unit moved to Lough Erne, Northern Ireland and began anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic before disbanding on 12 June 1945.

On 1 October 1946, No 518 Squadron based at Aldergrove with specially modified Halifaxes was renumbered No 202 Squadron. Its aircraft were flown on daily weather reconnaissance patrols over the North Atlantic until the Squadron converted to Hastings' in October 1950. The Hastings continued until 1964 hen the first weather satellites became available and the Squadron disbanded. A month later, the unit was reformed following the renumbering of No 228 Squadron Leconfield and the unit took over its search and rescue duties with Whirlwind helicopters. In 1978 the aircraft were replaced by Sea Kings, and a central maintenance facility was established at Finningley. When Finningley closed in 1989, the central element moved to Boulmer. Today, the Squadron operates a series of Flights, usually of two aircraft at a number of stations around the coast. Detached flights are currently based at Boulmer ('A' Flight and Headquarters), Lossiemouth ('D' Flight) and Leconfield ('E' Flight).

Aircraft: Sea King HAR3 / 3A Motto: Semper vigilate - 'Be always vigilant'. Badge: A mallard alighting - approved by King George VI in March 1937. Battle Honours: Western Front 1916-1918*, Atlantic 1939-1945*, Mediterranean 1940-1943*, North Africa 1942-1943-, Biscay 1942-1943*.

Honours marked with an asterisk, are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard

Sea King 

The RAF operates the Sea King in the Search and Rescue (SAR) role, and the big yellow helicopters have become a familiar sight on television news programmes as they carry out rescue operations all around the United Kingdom. To assist in this role, the Sea King is fitted with advanced all-weather search and navigation equipment and a computer to assist positioning. In the hover, it can be 'flown' by the winch operator, who can position the rescue harness with great accuracy. The Sea King can carry 18 passengers and has a radius of action of 280 miles.

Sea King Specifications
Engines: Two Rolls-Royce Gnome turboshafts
Length: 55ft 9.75in (17.01m)
Rotor Diameter: 62ft 0in (18.90m)
Top Speed:143mph (230km/h) at sea level
Accommodation: Crew of four and provision for up to 19 passengers

Developed by Westland from the American Sikorsky S-61, the first of 15 RAF dedicated SAR aircraft entered service in September 1977. For the next fifteen years Sea King and Wessex helicopters shared search and rescue duties until a further batch of six updated Sea King Mark 3A aircraft were ordered in 1992 to replace the SAR Wessexes.

Aircraft are based in pairs at locations around the UK as well as in the Falkland Islands.
Roles Search and Rescue. The location and evacuation of people in emergency situations.
Armament None

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