First Ever Use Of The Helicopter For An Assault Landing

Operation Musketeer was the Anglo-French plan for the invasion of the Suez Canal in 1956.
As part of this helicopters were used to transport Royal Marines of 45 Commando 9 miles
from the aircraft carrier HMS Theseus to Port Said. This was the first ever use of helicopters
for an assault landing.
BFPS has produced a commemorative cover to mark this groundbreaking use of
helicopters.
The images used on the cover and the specially produced smiler stamp were taken by
‘troops on operation’ and provide a real sense of history in the making. The smiler stamp
will be cancelled by the ‘BFPS 3201 Operation Musketeer’ handstamp, which incorporates
an image of the iconic Wessex Whirlwind helicopter.
The cover may be ordered from the BFPS online shop (www.bfps.org.uk/shop) from the 18th
October 2016 and will cost just £7.50 (UK/BFPO p&p free).
You can also order the covers by post by sending a cheque (payable to ‘BFPS CIC’) to
BFPS The Old Post Office Links Place Elie Fife KY9 1AX.