Mail by air

The first scheduled air mail service was launched in 1911. The Royal Mail Archive reflects the history and development of this service.

The collection of air mail material is not vast. The archives in POST 13 and POST 50, however, cover some of the most important developments in air mail history. 

POST 13 covers the inland airmail service. It includes details of the experimental helicopter service. POST 50 deals with the overseas airmail service. This includes the inauguration of the Empire Air Mail service in 1938. 

Helicopter mail route map, 1948, finding number: POST 13/3

This map is part of a file on the experimental helicopter mail service in East Anglia.

The helicopter mail service was trialled in 1948 but was not followed up.

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Front page of the Empire Air Service Brochure, 1938, finding number: POST 50/15

This brochure marks the inauguration of the Empire Airmail Service on     28 July 1938.

The idea for the Empire Airmail Service began in 1933. The scheme began on 28 June 1937. It carried all first class mail through the British Empire at a rate of one and a half pence per half ounce.

It was stopped by the war and ended officially in 1947.

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Report on Army Postal Service during the Great War, 20th century, finding number: POST 50/20

This page from the report details the preliminary proposals for setting an aeroplane postal service.

The service was organised in France, Flanders and Germany in 1918-19.

The report was compiled for the Forces Postal History Society.

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Copy of first Airgraph message, 1941, finding number: POST 56/28

This piece is a copy of the first official Airgraph sent from Britain.  During world war two, to save aircraft space, a means of photographing letters onto film was developed that could then be printed upon arrival.  This Airgraph letter was written by HM The Queen to the Commander in the Middle East and sent as the first piece of mail by this new service. 

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