Flying in the post - Military Jets, set of 8, MS, etc, issued 30 July 2026

You could argue, with some justification, that the Royal Air Force has had more than its fair share of stamp issues over the years, but Royal Mail is concentrating here in the evolution of jet aircraft with passenger jets being covered by a set of five in 2002.

Of course 'RAF Jets' means some more repeat visits, notably the Avro Vulcan which gets the full treatment this time.  One subject that doesn't specifically get a revisit this time is the Red Arrows.

From Royal Mail

2026 marks a number of important anniversaries in the evolution of Jet Aircraft and Royal Mail is delighted to recognise these key events with a set of commemorative stamps in celebration of some of the British military’s most iconic jet aircraft alongside the story of Sir Frank Whittle and the development of the jet propulsion engine. 

This year mark 50 years since the Hawker Siddeley Hawk entered service in 1976, 70 years since the Gloster Javelin and Avro Vulcan entered service in 1956, and 80 years since the de Havilland Vampire first entered service in 1946. 

This year is also 30 years since the death of Sir Frank Whittle (1 June 1907 – 8 August 1996) an English engineer, inventor and Royal Air Force officer who is credited with co-creating the jet propulsion engine. 

In 2002, Whittle was ranked number 42 in the BBC poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. The Medal Cover in this product range celebrates Sir Frank Whittle’s impressive career.

The Stamps 

Set of 8 x 1st class stamps featuring Military Jets issues 30 July 2026

Sheet 1: Gloster Meteor F1, Gloster Javelin FAW9, Hawker Siddeley Hawk T1, Avro Vulcan B2

Sheet 2: De Havilland Vampire FB5, Panavia Tornado GR4, Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S2B, Lockheed Martin D- 35B Lightning IIÏ

Miniature Sheet

2026 marks 30 years since the death of Sir Frank Whittle, the Pioneer of the Jet Aircraft, who is the focus of our Miniature Sheet. Whittle developed the jet propulsion engine and this Miniature sheet includes four 1st class stamps featuring photographs of him throughout his career.

Military Jet Aircraft:  Frank Whittle miniature sheet of 4 x 1st class stamps issued 30 July 2026

Technical details and acknowledgements

The 41 x 30 mm stamps are from Webb & Webb Design Ltd printed in lithography with ordinary gum by Cartor Security Printers in two sheets of 48 perforated 14½x14.  The 146 x 74 mm miniature sheet contains 41 x 30 mm stamps perforated 14½x14.

RAF logos are trade marks of the UK Secretary of State for Defence and used under licence. llustrations: Gloster Meteor F1, Gloster Javelin FAW9, Avro Vulcan B2 and Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S2B © Chris French; Hawker Siddeley Hawk T1, De Havilland Vampire FB5 and Panavia Tornado GR4 © Paul Couper; Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II © Alex Hamilton.

Frank Whittle at RAF Cranwell, c.1925 © Estate of Frank Whittle; Frank Whittle at his desk, c.1945 © IWM TR 3737; Frank Whittle with his WU turbojet, c.1988 © SSPL/Getty Images; Frank Whittle with his research team, 1944 and background image of Frank Whittle using a slide rule, 1944 © James Jarche/Popperfoto via Getty Images

Collector Sheet and 'Fan Sheet'.

This ten stamp Collectors Sheet (£19.20) showcases the stunning illustrations of the set of 8 stamps, plus 2 each of the Gloster Meteor and De Havilland Vampire. The 10 stamps are paired with photographs of the aircraft in flight against a backdrop of a Gloster Javelin FAW7 in flight.

The Avro Vulcan B2 Fan Sheet (£8) celebrates aviation history with the iconic Avro Vulcan B2 —Britain’s revolutionary delta-wing strategic bomber and Cold War legend. The Vulcan B2 embodied power and innovation when it came into service in 1960. This striking sheet includes 4 of the Avro Vulcan B2 1st class stamps and captures the spirit of one of the RAF’s most advanced and unforgettable jet aircraft of its time.

Products available

Set of 8 stamps, miniature sheet, first day covers (2), stamp cards (13), presentation pack, press sheet of 15 miniature sheets, Collector sheet, Fan sheet, medal cover (featuring the ms 25g silver-plated copper proof medallion, limited to 5,000 and priced at £25), framed set (£40), framed and signed enlarged illustration of the Meteor (limited to 200, price £150).

(The Gloster Meteor was previously shown in the Aircraft Designers issue of 1997, the Hawker Siddley Hawk and the Avron Vulcan in the Red Arrows issue of 2024, the Vulcan (shown at the top of this post) in the RAF Centenary set of 2018, 

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