STAMP ISSUES RELATED TO ICAO (1994-1995)

 

Malta : Aviation

 

Issue date: 02/07/1994

 

 

Main aircraft: de Havilland D.H.104 Dove of the first Air Malta Ltd, christened "City of Valletta" by Lady Boffa, the wife of the Prime Minister Sir Paul Boffa. Air Malta made aviation history as the first non-UK based airline to be registered by the Malta Government in 1947. In the background is an Avro 685 York, the first postwar attempt at converting existing bomber designs (the Lancaster in this case) into airliners. The construction in the background is the old terminal building, which was under the control of the Royal Air Force. The latter aircraft was seen frequently in the Maltese skies in the fifties and early sixties. 50th anniversary logo.

 

 

The main aircraft is a present‑day Airbus 320 of Air Malta Co. Ltd, with the insignia of "Nicolas Cottoner" on the nose, as all aircraft are named after Grand Masters of the Order of St. John. In the background is the first civil transport jet aircraft, the de Havilland Comet, which was operated by several airlines to Malta from its introduction into service up to the mid-seventies. Also seen is the present air terminal building (from the apron side). 50th anniversary logo.

 

 

Cancelled to Order (CTO).

Blocks of 4 stamps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presentation folders of this issue.

 

 

 

Folder with First Day cancellations at Sliema (in Maltese: Tas-Sliema), which is a town in the central region of Malta. Tas-Sliema is a major commercial and residential area, and houses several quality hotels. The cancel is derived from the official logo of the Malta International Airshow.

The Maltese text JUM IL-ĦRUĠ in the cancel means Day of issue. AVJAZZJONI means AVIATION.

 

First Day Covers, issued by the Malta Post Office. The cachet shows the Patrouille de France, a typical national aerobatic team in V-formation with Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet aircraft (as shown on the 14-cent stamp featuring Malta’s Interternational Airshow), and the old terminal building which was under the control of the Royal Air Force. Cancel at Sliema.

 

Cancel at Valletta, the capital city of Malta.

 

First Day Cover issued by ES Malta (RM 133). The cachet shows a military aircraft and a drawing of a glider wing by Leonardo da Vinci (15th century); this drawing is also found a one of the stamps issued by Turks and Caicos Islands on 28/02/1985 for the 40th anniversary of ICAO (see at: Turks and Caicos Islands - 1985 - 40th Anniversary of ICAO).

The military aircraft is a SEPECAT Jaguar in service with the Royal Air Force and the French Armée de l'Air, and a few other air forces; the airframes were manufactured by SEPECAT (Société Européenne de Production de l'avion Ecole de Combat et d'Appui Tactique), a joint venture between Breguet and the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), one of the first major joint Anglo-French military aircraft programs back in the 80s. 

 

First Day Cover, issued by the J. Buttigieg (Owner of Sliema Stamp Shop; see initials JB in the cancel), Malta (RM 134). The cachet shows a Phantom aircraft.

 

Background: For both stamps of this issue, the Organization’s name is printed with s instead of z. The correct name is: International Civil Aviation Organization.

The two stamps issued for ICAO’s 50th anniversary are part of a set of 4 stamps issued at this date. All four stamps of this issue were printed on watermarked paper: Maltese Crosses (Watermark #354 according to Scott catalogue).

Note that a full sheet of stamps contains 50 stamps; the price of a row of 5 stamps is indicated at the top and the bottom of each row.

 

 

 

The 5c stamp commemorates the 25th edition of the International Air Rally of Malta. At the top left of this stamp is the Falcon Trophy awarded to the overall winner of the Rally. The main aircraft is a Twin Comanche, while in the background is an Auster.

 

The 14c features the Malta International Airshow which has become an annual event. It shows the official logo of the Malta International Airshow, an Alouette helicopter of the Armed Force of Malta towing the Maltese flag, and a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. At the center left is the Patrouille de France, a typical national aerobatic team.