First World War Aircraft

World Stamp Today:

MARCH 6, 2017

The British Indian Ocean Territory Administration released stamps on March 6, 2017, featuring six aircraft used by Britain during WWI as part of the First World War Centenary.

The six planes that covered the period of the war and their different usages are:

1) Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b Reconnaissance / Fighter / Night Bomber Aircraft (1915) (60p)

2) Nieuport 11 (Bebe) Fighting Scout (1915) (60p)

3) Sopwith Camel Fighter (1917) (60p)

4) Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a Fighter Aircraft (1917) (£1)

5),Bristol F.2B Fighter / Armed Reconnaissance / Light Bomber Aircraft (1917) (£1)

6) Handley Page H.P. O/400 Heavy Bomber Aircraft (1918) (£1.50)

Before 1914, wars were fought only on land and sea, and the twentieth century saw the beginning of the age of flight. 

Aircraft that were used at the beginning of the First World War were basic but throughout the war they saw rapid development. 

Much work went into aircraft design as it became clear that airpower could play a decisive role not only on the battlefield but against military and industrial targets far behind the front line. 

In 1918, aircraft became more sophisticated, which also reflected the role they played during the war. 

During WWI the Royal Air Force did not exist and planes were flown by the Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Flying Corps. 

These two organisations were merged on April 1, 1918 to create the Royal Air Force, which is the oldest independent air force in the world.

(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved