JS(AC)98a / AF23a The Airborne Territorial Army PARA TA cover

JS(AC)98a RAF cover dual numbered AF23 in the Airborne Forces series. The cover artwork by Tony Theobald depicts TA Paratroopers parchuting from an RAF Lockheed C-130 Hercules using the Irwin low level parachute to begin their annual camp, while inset drawing and fitting at RAF Northolt prior to parachuting onto Fassberg DZ in Germany at the start of annual camp 1980. Below PARA TA mortar platoon on Exercise White Rhino waiting to emplane on Chinooks. Cover shows both the Airbourne territorial Insignia and that of the Airborne forces.

Cover bears 19p definitive cancelled with BFPS 2488 postmark for the 49th Anniversary of the Formation of the Airborne Territorial Army dated 1 Jan 1996. Cover was flown in Lockheed C-130 Hercules XV177 of No 70 Squadron from RAF Lyneham carrying members of the Territorial Army on Exercise Lanyard 3 for a parachute drop on Frog Hill on the Stanford training area.

Unsigned variant
Cover size 190mm x 113mm