Indian Air Force - Philately Section - First Day Covers, Stamps etc

This is the older Philately Gallery on Bharat - Rakshak. For the latest Gallery click the link below

STAMPS
A set of four 15 Paisa stamps released in 1958 (25th Anniversary) showcasing the latest acquisition - A Hawker Hunter and the first aircraft of the IAF - A Westland Wapiti
A similar set as above but released for the 90 Paisa denomination.
The Gnat (See the hindi pronouciation 'Nate') is the only aircraft to have been 'rewarded' with a stamp of its own in recogniition of its performance in the 1965 War.
50 Years from the day the IAF Act was passed, this stamp showing the Wapiti with the latest and secret acquisition of that time, the MiG-25 Foxbat 'Garuda'. Secrecy of the MiG-25 was so much that this stamp was probably the first indication of how a foxbat looks in IAF Colors for the Indian public.
Set of two stamps showing four aircraft released on the 60th Anniversary in 1992. The Wapiti is probably the most commmemorated aircraft in stamps, as another Stamp bearing the Wapiti was released for the 60th Anniversary of the raising of the No.1 Squadron.
Stamp issued on the Diamond Jubilee of the No.1 Squadron Tigers 1993 - with the Squadron crest and the Westland Wapiti making the appearance again.
A series of stamps on PVC awardees was done in 2000 . This stamp on Fg Offr NS Sekhon, PVC with a Gnat and an IAF Crest was one of the five released at that time.
A stamp sheet of four different denominations was issued during the Aero India 2003 show. The aircraft depicted were all of HAL's indeginous design and manufacture

FIRST DAY COVERS
First Day Cover (FDC) on the 25 years anniversary of the IAF.
A First Day Cover to commemorate the regular airmail sorties to Ladakh features the Antonov 12 over the Himalayas and a special IAF Chetak Helicopter in the stamp. The postmark is designed after the Pilot Wings
A Series of special covers on PVC awardees issued by the Army Postal Service included this one on Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon PVC, the only IAF officer to be so awarded. The cancellation mark is the emblem of the No.18 Squadron 'The Flying Bullets'
Golden Jubilee First Day Cover (FDC) showcasing the Jaguar.
Though not strictly an 'IAF' FDC, this cover on the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) has the tri services emblem and stamp along with the IAF Crest.
Diamond Jubilee First Day Cover (FDC) issued in 1992 has the four aircraft dual stamp with the cancelation mark of a Chetak Helicopter
No.1 Squadron IAF, 'The Tigers' are probably the only unit to get thier own First Day Cover on the ocassion of thier diamond jubilee in 1993. Note the Wapiti Stamp with the crest of 1 Squadron.
13 Nov 96: A special cover released on the occasion of the presentation of the Presidents Standards to No.27 Squadron and No. 114 Helicopter Unit. appropriately the cancellation mark features the crests of both the units.
31 Oct 97: Special Cover on the Golden Jubilee of the Air Headquarters Communication Squadron - 1947-1997. The cancellation mark features the 'Pegasus' which was the emblem of the squadron from inception.
23 Oct 98: The FDC for the Golden Jubilee (1948-98) of the 31st Movement Control Unit of the IAF. The Cancellation mark features the Maintenance Command Crest. The accompanying brochure is on the left.
Flt Lt Indra lal Roy DFC was the only Indian 'Ace' till date, having shot down Nine german aircraft in aircombat. This FDC with a lovely DFC Cancellation mark was released to commemorate his achievements.
This First Day cover was issued at New Delhi to commemorate the 51 Years of the induction of the De Havilland Vampire - then the First ever Jet aircraft operated by any airforce in Asia. Note the nice Vampire cancellation mark. This was picked up at the IAF Museum during a visit to Delhi in 2000
Diamond Jubilee cover for the Paratroopers Training School in 2002, complete with the PTS Crest cancellation mark
Aero India's FDC shows off the four special stamps released for the occasion and the Helicopter cancellation mark.
27 March 2004 marked the 50th Year Anniversary of 104 Helicopter Squadron, the first ever Helicopter Unit in the Indian Air Force. The FDC featured a Cancellation mark based on a stylised crest and a HT2 stamp from Aero India 2003