2014 Centenary of Military Aviation and Submarines Stamp and Coin Cover PNC

On 1 March 2014 Bristol Military Biplane CFS-3 took the first military flight, at the Army flying field, Point Cook, Victoria. Australia subsequently became the only British dominion to establish a flying corps, the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) for service during World War I.

Australia’s first submarines, British-built E-class vessels known as AE1 and AE2, commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy in February 1914, arrived in Sydney on 24 May. On 14 September 1914, AE1 was tragically lost with all crew during the occupation of Rabaul in German New Guinea. AE2 went on to support British-led operations off the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey and on 25 April 1915 was the first British submarine to penetrate the Dardanelles. On 30 April, after being damaged by a Turkish gunboat, AE2 was scuttled by her crew, all of whom were captured.

The reverse of the Aviation coin features a representation of a Bristol aeroplane propeller with a military Boxkite flying under the propeller blade and an F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft soaring above it.

The reverse of the Submarine coin features a representation of a submarine rising from the depths of the ocean, set against an ominous cloudy sky.

Affixed to the envelope are two official Australia Post 70c stamps. The stamps are postmarked for the first day of issue and the envelope includes Australia Post’s Seal of Authenticity and official number.