The Royal Mail has released a new series of stamps to commemorate Sir Frank Whittle, the Coventry-born inventor of the jet engine. The release marks the 30th anniversary of his death this year. Whittle founded Power Jets in Rugby to develop his groundbreaking engine designs and later continued his pioneering work in Gloucestershire.
The stamp collection features two distinct sets. The first set includes four stamps depicting Whittle and his engines, while the second set showcases eight iconic British jet aircraft. These include the Gloster Meteor F1, Hawker Siddeley Hawk T1, Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II, Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer, Panavia Tornado GR4, Avro Vulcan B2, Gloster Javelin FAW9, and the De Havilland Vampire FB5.
Whittle's son, Ian, described the stamps as a "fitting tribute not only to my father's pioneering achievements, but also to the generations of engineers, designers and aviators who helped shape Britain's world-leading contribution to aviation."
Born in Coventry in 1907, Whittle joined the Royal Air Force in 1923. He trained as an aircraft mechanic and graduated from RAF Cranwell as an officer in 1928. His foundational work on the turbojet engine revolutionized aviation and laid the groundwork for modern jet-powered flight. The stamps serve as a reminder of his significant contributions to aerospace engineering.