B-24 First Day Envelope

This First Day Cover commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the introduction of the Liberator Mk3 to Royal Air Force Bomber Operations 14 December, 1942. The image, by aviation artist John Young, depicts B-24 Liberators of No. 703 Sqdn., No. 445 Bomb Group USAAC. Squadron Commander T. Col. James Stewart. This envelope was flown in F-111E, 68078 of 79th (Tiger) Squadron, 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, United States Air Force on a flight over South Wales, Devon. The Irish Seas and the Midlands at an altitude of 50,000 feet, maximum speed Mach 2 - 1832 m.p.h.