Bharat Rakshak:Indian Air Force

Silver Jubilee Cover

01 April 1958 First Day Cover (FDC) on the 25 years anniversary of the IAF. Two stamp denominations were also issued on the occasion

Independence Day - 1963

15 Aug 1963: Special Cover released on the Independence Day, 1963 that pays tribute to the Indian Armed Forces. The IAF crest is reproduced along with the others and the stamps showcases IAF transports in a supply dropping role.

Republic Day 1966

This special cover released on Republic day 1966 commemorated the Armed Forces for the part played by them in the 1965 War. The Airforce was represented in the stamp by a formation of three Gnats.

Air Force Day 1971

01 Apr 1971 : The Air Force Day Special Cover for 1971 - displaying two Maruts. This Cover has been autographed by the then air chief - Air Chief Marshal P C Lal.

Mail Sortie to Ladakh

15 Oct 1979 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

Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC

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 Bull

Golden Jubilee Anniversary

Golden Jubilee First Day Cover (FDC) showcasing the Jaguar.

Indo Soviet Joint Manned Space Flight

03 April 1984 The Indo-Soviet Joint Manned Space Flight put Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma into Space as the first Indian to do so. The Cover features the IAF Crest as the cancellation mark.

Presidents Standard for No.9 Squadron

11 Dec 84: Special cover released on the ocassion of the presentation of Presidents colors to No.9 Squadron. The Air HQ Communication Squadron also received their colors on the same day.

President Standards for Air HQ Comm Squadron

11 Dec 84: Special cover released on the ocassion of the presentation of Presidents colors to the Air HQ Communication Squadron.

Indian Peace Keeping Force

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.

Presidents Standards to No.28 Squadron and No.109 HU

02 Apr 1991: A special cover released on the occasion of the presentation of the Presidents Standards to No.28 Squadron and No. 109 Helicopter Unit.

Diamond Jubilee

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 - Diamond Jubilee

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.

Presidents Standards to FIS and No.15 Squadron

26 Oct 1995: A special cover released on the occasion of the presentation of the Presidents Standards to Flying Instructors School and No.15 Squadron

Presidents Standards to No.27 Squadron and No.114 HU

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.

Air Headquarters Communication Squadron - Golden Jubilee

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.

Presidents Standards to No.29 Squadron and No.41 Squadron

07 Nov 1997 A special cover released on the occasion of the presentation of the Presidents Standards to No.29 Squadron and No. 41 Squadron reproduces the colors to the units and a cancellation postmark with the crests of the unit

31st Movement Control Unit - Golden Jubilee

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.

Air Force Technical College - Golden Jubilee

03 Dec 1999 Air Force Technical College completes fifty years since its raising. This cover depicts the passing out parade of a batch of technical officers.

Flt Lt Indra Lal Roy, DFC

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.

1st R & O Flight - Golden Jubilee

15 Aug 1997 The 1st AOP Flight was formed out of the erstwhile RAF 659 Squadron. The flight operated under the technical assistance of the IAF , though manned by Army pilots.

50 Years of Jet Aviation

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 I

66th Anniversary of the Indian Air Force

08 Oct 1998 This is the FDC released on the occasion of the 66th Anniversary of the Indian Air Force. The cover features the Westland Wapiti II biplane, as well as a lovely cancellation mark of the same aircraft

50 Years of the Indian Armed Forces

16 Dec 1997: First Day Cover on the 50th Anniversary of the Indian Armed Forces - 1947-1997. The stamp features a sillhoutte of the Sukhoi-30K fighter.

Defence Research and Development Organisation

26 Jan 1999: First Day Cover for the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The Lakshya PTA, the LCA fighter, the Radar and the Prithvi Missiles all represent various components in the IAF

50 Years of the National Defence Academy

19 Feb 1999 First Day Cover to commemorate 50 Years of the Joint Services Wing / National Defence Academy. The Stamp features a silhoutte of the Jaguar IM aircraft.

Presidents Standards to AFAC and No.35 Squadron

24 Oct 2000: A special cover released on the occasion of the presentation of the Presidents Standards to Air Force Administrative College and No.35 Squadron "Rapiers"

Paratroopers Training School - Diamond Jubilee

23 Nov 2002 Diamond Jubilee cover for the Paratroopers Training School in 2002, complete with the PTS Crest cancellation mark

Aero India 2003

Aero India's FDC shows off the four special stamps released for the occasion and the Helicopter cancellation mark.