Issue date: 25 Mar, 2020
ANNIVERSARIES. The centenary of Spanish airbases: Getafe, Tablada, León and Zaragoza
On 18 March 1920, the Gaceta de Madrid newspaper published the Royal Decree creating the Spanish Air Division in four zones called airbases in order to organise and distribute the detachments and services of the emerging Spanish Air Force.
The four airbases were located in Getafe (central airbase), Zaragoza, León and Seville (Tablada airbase). Each one of the bases had to have the technical services and components necessary to function independently such as hangars, fuel and ammunition depots and workshops, in order to service four squadrons of aircraft, three reconnaissance planes and one combat plane.
The establishment of the four bases is considered fundamental for the formation of an air defence structure in Spain that would lead to the constitution of the Air Force a few years later.
On the other hand, the airbases have left a strong imprint on the Spanish culture, society and economy, both on a national level and in the cities where they are located.
At the same time, the centenary of the construction of the first control and signal tower of the Cuatro Vientos airfield is also commemorated. Its design was based on a project that was drawn up by the Engineers Commander, Leopoldo Giménez, in July 1919. The design was approved by the Royal Decree of 11 August of the same year and developed by Enrique Sierra at his workshops in the Paseo de las Delicias in Madrid. In order to create this emblematic building, it was necessary to follow the guidelines used for the maritime lighthouses of the period. It is considered to be the first control tower in Spain, and one of the oldest in Europe and in the world.
The stamp features a large number 100 to highlight the one hundred years. Each number contains an image: the Cuatro Vientos tower, the seal of the Spanish Air Force, with the colours of the Spanish flag and the logo created for the anniversary itself. The above is mounted onto a backdrop with a runway, where the white strips feature the names of four airbases.
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.