Mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), with this commemorative envelope.

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Issued to recognize the Royal Canadian Air ForceRCAF’'s 100th anniversary.
Canada Post worked extensively with the RCAF to determine the design and photographic representation for the commemorative envelope.

About the Royal Canadian Air Force

In 2024, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) marks its 100th anniversary as a distinct branch of the Canadian military. While thousands of Canadians served in Britain’s flying services during the First World War, it wasn’t until after the war that military aviation became a permanent part of Canada’s defence organization. In 1920, a part-time Canadian Air Force was authorized by an Order-in-Council.

After receiving the “Royal” designation from King George V, it became a permanent component of Canada’s defence force, on April 1, 1924. The RCAF went on to play a key role in the Allied victory in the Second World War and has since contributed to major Canadian deployments in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Today, the RCAF is tasked with defending and protecting Canadian and North American airspace and contributes to international peace and security through its commitments to organizations such as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The RCAF also serves at home, providing such capabilities as search and rescue and assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.

About the design

The RCAF 100th anniversary commemorative envelope features a collage of photographs, most provided by the Department of National Defence. The photos provide a historical overview of the aircraft and varied work of the RCAF throughout the past 100 years.

The back of the envelope features the RCAF’s roundel, a red maple leaf surrounded by white in a blue ring. The maple leaf was introduced in the roundel in 1940, replacing a red centre, and began to appear on RCAF aircraft in 1946. The current design, with a stylized 11-point maple leaf, dates back to 1965.

The stamp chosen for the RCAF commemorative envelope features William George Barker, VC, and was originally issued as part of the 2019 edition of the Canadians in Flight series. William Barker was the first acting director of the RCAF.

The cancel location is Borden, Ontario, home to Canadian Forces Base Borden (CFB Borden), which was the birthplace of the RCAF.

The cancel image features a black and white rendition of the RCAF’s roundel.

Product # 342266

Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 100th Anniversary Commemorative Envelope