The work of the RAF has been recognised in a new set of stamps launched in spectacular style by a winchman at a Suffolk airfield.

John Howard

THE work of the RAF has been recognised in a new set of stamps launched in spectacular style by a winchman at a Suffolk airfield.

Adam Brind, a 27-year-old sergeant with B Flight 22 Squadron at Wattisham Airfield, dropped in to show off the set of six new stamps at the base yesterday, ahead of their official issue today to coincide with Battle of Britain Week.

They feature a pilot in 1918, a plotter with the Women's Auxiliary Air Force in 1940, a Lancaster air gunner, a Hawker Hunter pilot, a helicopter rescue winchman from 1984 and a drum major from RAF Central Band in 2007.

Mr Brind, from Caister, near Great Yarmouth, said: “There is a lot of history in the service and this is recognition for our role within the air force.

“It's great work and there is nothing I would rather be doing than dangling from an aircraft at night, saving lives.”

Royal Mail spokeswoman Sheila Tapster said: “Last year we featured the Army, this year the RAF, next will be the Navy. They are all sets of six, drawn by the same artists and these new ones show in detail the changing styles of uniforms through the years.”

RAF Sea King rescue helicopters operate from six locations nationwide, including Wattisham near Needham Market.

They cover the UK and beyond and while their main role is to recover RAF personnel, in peacetime the majority of callouts are to civilians in difficulty.

Prince William could even be flying out from the base with the RAF to help those in distress, as he trains to become a search and rescue pilot, starting his 18-month training course during January next year.

If he successfully completes the training, the second in line to the throne will be a fully operational search and rescue pilot in 2010 with one of the six UK-based teams.