Israel Aircraft Industries 50th Anniversary Stamp

The stamp issued in April 2003, shows the simplified model of an aircraft, against the background of electronic circuits, representing modern scientific ingenuity and advanced technology. At the bottom is an Arrow Anti Tactical Ballistic Missile and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) was established as “Bedek Aviation Company” in 1953 by Al Schwimmer, an American Jew, with the support of David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister. It operated at Lydda airport with a staff of about 70, providing aircraft overhaul and maintenance services. The name changed to IAI in 1957 and began to produce the Fouga-Magister, a twin-jet trainer of French design, for the Israel Air Force and export. AIA is a recognised world leader in a range of advanced technologies. It is the largest industrial company in Israel, employing about 14,400 employees, of whom 30% are engineers and scientists. The stamp with an information sheet are enclosed in a plastic protection sheet