Visiting Commercial Aircraft

Throughout history, Jersey has seen many types of aircraft visit the Island for commercial purposes. Before 1937, air services to Jersey consisted of biplane aircraft landing on the beach at St. Aubin’s Bay and with some seaplanes landing in the bay itself.

In 1937 Jersey airport opened in the parish of St. Peter with four grass runways. During the Second World War, concrete taxiways were added by the German occupying forces and since then has several times been lengthened.

This six stamp issue depicts some significant aircraft to visit Jersey from De Havilland DH.86 Express, Fokker Friendship F27-200, Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer I, BAC One-Eleven, Britten-Norman BN 2A Mk III Trislander and Vickers Viscount 806.

The miniature sheet features an illustration of the distinctive Aurigny Britten-Norman Trislander on the tarmac at Jersey Airport.

Artist Toby Dixon said:

‘I lived in Jersey between 1998 and 2003 while working for Aurign – my first job as a commercial pilot flying the Shorts 360 and Trislander. I took up oil painting and found civil aircraft subject to be a particular interest during that time.

'The Channel Islands has always been my favourite place, so combining this setting with aircraft and airlines that served the local area was the most pleasing project. The stamps show various aircraft that have carried passengers to and from Jersey over the decades and hopefully capture some of the excitement of arriving on the Island that I still feel to this day.’

Issue date: 20 January 2022, www.jerseystamps.com