Issue date: 31 May, 2011
To commemorate the centenary of the Spanish Air Force a four-stamp souvenir sheet is issued depicting three model airplanes, a helicopter and the commemorative logo.
In February 1911, two Henry Farman and a Maurice Farman airplane flying from France and purchased by Captain Alfredo Kindelan landed in the Cuatro Vientos aerodrome, the first military airfield. A month later, using these planes made of wood and fabric with a 50 hp engine, set off the first course for military pilots in which captains Kindelan, Herrera and Arrillaga and Lieutenants Barrón and Ortiz Echagüe got their degree. With them, began the history of Spanish Military Aviation.
The "Super Puma" Aerospatiale SA-332 helicopter entered service in 1982 and is in " SAR alert” (Search and Rescue) 24 hours, every day of the year in the Balearic, Canary Islands and Madrid. Besides being used in Herat (Afghanistan) for sanitary aero evacuations, it is also used for transportation of personalities. It is powered by two turbines each developing 1850 hp and has a radius of 200 nautical miles.
The CASA-101 "Aviojet" is in service since 1984 and has been used for training over 1200 military pilots. Developed and manufactured in Spain, it is a low-wing single engine jet-powered basic and advanced trainer aircraft. It has a flight range of six hours and is flown by the Patrulla Aguila aerobatics team. It is also the image of the Air Force.
The C/KC-130 Lockheed Hercules, in use since 1973 and is par excellence the tactical transport aircraft. It is used as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport aircraft and has participated in countless peace keeping, military, civilian and humanitarian aid operations. It is a four-engine T-56 turboprop military transport aircraft designed to carry and launch in-flight parachute material and can carry up to 20 tons of cargo in the hold.
The EF-2000 Eurofighter "Typhoon", entered service in 2003 and is a unique modern combat aircraft in the Air Force. It is twin-engined and intended for defence and attack. Its speed is twice that of sound. It has a radar with a range of over 150 km and can be adapted with a large variety of weapons.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.