50 Pence - Elizabeth II 101 Squadron

The 101 Squadron issue commemorates one of the RAF's most secretive and costly postings of the Second World War. Based primarily at RAF Ludford Magna, 101 Squadron Lancasters carried an additional crew member — an eighth man whose sole duty was operating the Airborne Cigar (ABC) jamming equipment designed to disrupt Luftwaffe night-fighter communications. That extra equipment made the aircraft heavier and the ABC transmissions actively attracted enemy fighters. Squadron loss rates ran nearly double the Bomber Command average.

Guernsey's long series of RAF commemorative 50 pence pieces in gold-plated copper occupies a well-trodden corner of the commemorative market. This one at least has the weight of genuine operational history behind it.