Australia Philately: 1978 Famous Australian Aviators

Four Australians whoe made outstanding contributions to the establishment of the aviation industry, during its formative years, are the subjects of a series of four 18c commemorative stamps, and a 72c miniature sheet, being issued by Australia Post on 19 April 1978.

The aviators depicted, together with the aircraft they made famous are: Harry Hawker and a Sopwith “Camel” – one of the planes he helped develop and to test; Bert Hinkler and the Avro Avian in which he flew solo from England too Australia; Charles (later Sir) Kingsford Smith and the Fokker monoplane, Southern Cross; and Charles Ulm, also with the Southern Cross.

The miniature sheet, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first trans-pacific flight, incorporates four imperforate stamps – two are the Kingsford Smith stamp design and two are the Ulm stamp design – alongside an interpretation of the Southern Cross during its flight across the Pacific.

The stamps are being issued for two weeks sale at post offices and for up to twelve months sale at Australia Post philatelic sales centres, providing stocks last.

Details

Date of Issue: 19 April 1978
Withdrawn Date:
Invalidated:
Designer: Arthur Leydin
Printer: Asher and Co., Melbourne
Press: Roland Rekord
Process: Photo lithography
Cylinders:
- 18c stamps went through the press three times:
  - Process Cyan – Process Magenta (1st pass)
  - Process Black – Process Yellow (2nd pass)
  - Yellow (3rd pass for Charles Ulm), Orange (3rd pass for Kingsford Smith, Blue (3rd pass for Hawker and Hinkler)
- Miniature sheets went through the press three times:
  - Process Magenta and Process Cyan (1st pass)
  - Process Black and Process Yellow (2nd pass)
  - Orange – Yellow (3rd pass)
Paper: Burnie litho chromo paper incorporating helecon
Watermark: None
Perf: 15.5 x 15.25 (comb)
Sheet: Printed 300 on a sheet and issued as 100-on a sheet in two panes of 50.
Quantity:
- 18c – 10,638,200 (Harry Hawker)
- 18c – 10,938,200 (Bert Hinkler)
- 18c – 11,038,200 (Charles Kingsford Smith)
- 18c – 11,138,200 (Charles Ulm)
- 72c – 2,750,400 (Miniature Sheet)

Subjects

18c Harry Hawker
18c Bert Hinkler
18c Charles Kingsford Smith
18c Charles Ulm
72c Miniature Sheet

Souvenir Pack

Two souvenir packs, priced at 82c Aust. each, one for the stamps and one for the miniature sheet, will also be available for the issue.

First Day Covers No.108 & No.109 (Official)

Two serviced first day covers, one for the four commemorative stamps and one for the miniature sheet, will be available for the issue for two weeks from the issue date, 19 April 1978, from Australia Post first day of issue offices for 84c Aust. each.

SWAN HILL/VIC 3585