Aviation History No2. Carvair ATL-98

 Aviation History Series: No.2 (1 December 2023)

The second stamp in the Aviation History Series was issued on 1st December. As for our first stamp in this series, it also features an aircraft from the British Air Ferries fleet but this time from c1972. 

British Air Ferries ATL-98 Carvair

CLP011223S / CP063

The four engine ATL-98 Carvair transported motorists to Europe until it became uneconomic due to their limited payload. This aircraft is named “Fat Albert” and once operated from Southend Airport and was often seen flying over Canvey Island until 1979. A total of 21 aircraft were converted to Carvair configuration by Air Traders (Engineering) Ltd.

A small item of trivia for classic movie fans is that an ATL-98 Carvair (registration G-ASDC), featured in the 1964 James Bond movie “Goldfinger”.

Aviation History Series stamps can be obtained at Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

New: Aviation History Series

 Aviation History Series: No.1 (1st November 2023)

On 1st November we issued our first stamp in a series concentrating on aircraft and local aviation history that occurred on, over, and around Canvey Island and the Thames Estuary.

The first stamp of the Aviation History Series shows the British United Air Ferries Bristol Superfreighter “Valiant” from 1966. These operated from several UK airports including Southend Airport (previously RAF Rochford and now London Southend Airport), approximately twelve miles from Canvey Island. 

BUAF Bristol Superfreighter

(CLP011123S / CP062)

These aircraft were a common sight flying over Canvey Island to Europe prior to the Channel Tunnel and the introduction of large capacity Ro-Ro ship car ferries to the continent. They are a vivid childhood memory for me (Postmaster).

This series runs concurrently with our Aviators Series. The first stamp of which was released on 27th September featuring Geoffrey R. de Havilland and the DH-108 Swallow. 

Aviation History Series and Aviators Series stamps can be obtained at Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

CILP

New: Aviators Stamp Series

 Aviators Series: No.1 (27 September 2023)

September 27th saw the release of CILP's first stamp in our occasional famous Aviators Series. The series will feature aviators that have local historic links or events that occurred on or near Canvey Island.

Our initial stamp issue is dedicated to Geoffrey R. de Havilland and a DH 108 “Swallow” tail-less jet, which broke up in the air over the Thames Estuary near Canvey Island, killing the famous test pilot on 27 September 1946. Much of the aircraft debris fell to earth in Egypt Bay, Kent.

The stamp shows a period photo of the aircraft and an inset portrait of the pilot Geoffrey Raoul de Havilland OBE, the son of the famous aircraft designer and manufacturer.

CLP270923S / CP061

We also have a concurrent Aviation Series planned that will feature both historic and contemporary aircraft with local associations. The first stamp issue will be released on 1st November 2023.

Aviators Series No.1 stamp can be obtained at Alpha Thematics on Ebid UK.

Postmaster

CILP

National Health Service (NHS) 75th Anniversary

CILP are proud to release a stamp (6 July) to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the National health Service (NHS).

Using stocks of our previously issued 70^th NHS Anniversary stamp from 2018 (CP034), we have issued a limited run of only 34 hand overprinted stamps to mark the NHS 75^th Anniversary. 

CLP060723S

It is likely these stamps will only be used for local Island mail due to their limited number. Collector's are encouraged to obtain their copy without delay.

Postmaster