Group Captain David Baron OBE, chairman of Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, got the set of six first and 81p stamps, sporting servicemen and women in RAF uniforms from 1918 to 2007, off the ground.

He unveiled the giant versions of the stamps ranging from a leather-clad pilot from 1918 to the famous RAF Blue uniform of a Drum Major from the RAF's Central Band last year.

"Tangmere Military Aviation Museum is pleased to be chosen as the launch venue for this fine range of stamps linked to the RAF and its history," Mr Baron said.

It was fitting the museum was chosen for the launch ceremony as this month marks 55 years since the Hawker Hunter broke the world air speed record from Tangmere.

Hawker's chief test pilot, Squadron Leader Duke, took off in the unique aircraft on September 7, 1953, to set a new world air speed record of 727.63 mph along a course between Bognor and Littlehampton.

Royal Mail spokesman Mike Dalton said: "The astonishing levels of detail in this issue bring to life the many aspects of the RAF, from pilots to plotters and from winchmen to Drum Major."

RAF Uniforms is the second in a series examining the history of the uniforms of the UK's armed services.


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