Centenary of Aerial Post

Gustav Hamel’s 15-minute flight from Hendon Aerodrome to Windsor Castle on 9 September 1911 was part of the celebrations of the coronation of King George V. It was the first of 16 aerial post flights carrying commemorative postage to mark the coronation. The flights took place until 26 September 1911 and are recognised as the world’s first scheduled airmail service.

2011 (September 9 2011)
Commemorative

Designed by Robert Maude and Sarah Davies
Size 41mm (h) x 30mm (v)
Printed by Cartor Security Print
Print Process Lithography
Phosphor All Over
Gum PVA

Centenary of Aerial Post , Vol.48 No.12 (Issue Details)

Stamps

Hamel receives first mail bag

1st
Image preview by Royal Mail

Pilot Gustav Hamel is handed the first bag of mail for the inaugural flight at Hendon Aerodrome.

Hamel ready to leave Hendon

68p
Image preview by Royal Mail

Sitting in the cockpit of his Blériot monoplane, Gustav Hamel is ready to take off from Hendon Aerodrome.

Greswell's Bleriot at Windsor

£1.00
Image preview by Royal Mail

Clement Greswell was another one of the pilots who took part in the aerial post service also flying a Blériot monoplane.

Airmail delivered at Windsor

£1.10
Image preview by Royal Mail

A postman was dispatched to the Frogmore Mausoleum, within the grounds of Windsor Castle, where Hamel touched down. He collected the mail - and the aviator – and returned to the castle.