CC52d RAF cover signed Female World Aerobatic Champion

1998 Biggin Hill International Air Fair cover signed Svetlana Kampanina, World Aerobatic Champion for Women

JS(CC)52d RAF cover produced for the 1998 Biggin Hill International Air Fair 6-7 June 1998. Cover artwork is split into three parts, the top part pays tribute to the Russian Display Aircraft performing at the air show; the middle section represent the 80th Anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force SE5 biplanes and a red Fokker Triplane which took part in the air display; the bottom section shows US aircraft that took part in the Berlin Airlift many of which were present at the air show.

The cover bears 20p Supermarine Spitfire / RJ Mitchell Architects of the Air Stamp and 6p definitive stamp cancelled on 06.06.98 with Biggin Hill International Air Fair, Westerham, Biggin Hill postmark showing Jaguar aircraft. The cover has been flown in Avro Lancaster B1 PA474 of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight from RAF Coningsby on a training sortie in memory of Group Captain Lord Cheshire VC OM DSO DFC.

The cover is hand signed by Svetlana Kampanina, who performed at the Biggin Air Show and flew the covers in her Sukhoi 26 aircraft.

Official special numbered and certified on reverse (only 100 signed by her)

Svetlana Kampanina
By winning the 2005 World Aerobatic Championship in the female category for the 5th time and finishing fourth overall (including men), Svetlana confirmed she really is the best female aerobatic pilot. Only three pilots have won the world title more than once: one man, Peter Jirmus (CZE) in 1984 and 1986, and two women, Betty Stewart (USA) in 1980 and 1982, and Catherine Maunoury (FRA) in 1988 and 2000.

Svetlana graduated from medical school in 1987 as a pharmacist. The following year she started flying in Kurgan and by 1991 she was a member of the Russian Aerobatic Joint Crew and by 1995 she had graduated from Kaluga Pilot’s School. Although she believed she would never devote her life to flying, what started out as a hobby has turned into serious work as an aerobatic professional.

In 1991, she was Absolute Champion of Russia and in 1993 she won silver at the European Aerobatic Championships, her first international aerobatic contest. She was awarded the medal “For Service To Motherland” in 1995 and “Award of Honor” in 2002.

Today, Svetlana has been awarded 30 Gold medals in World Championships and only pilot to be  World Champion four times (1996-1998-2001-2003).

Even with her busy schedule she has still had time to start her family. Giving birth to a son in 2002 and a daughter in 2004. She trains with the Russian National Team and attends their training camp at Borki Airport, not far from Moscow.

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