RAF Phantom FGR.2 & Soviet TU-20 Bear Cold War Intercept Postcard 1980s

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Item ID: 297248159354
eBay Seller ID: britishfareasttraders
eBay Store Link: View this item
Category: Collectables:Militaria:World War II (1939-1945):Photographs
Condition: In decent condition. Please check our images.

RAF Phantom FGR.2 & Soviet TU-20 Bear Cold War Intercept Postcard 1980s

Striking Cold War encounter in the skies — an iconic visual from the frontline of aerial defence, captured in a rare vintage postcard from the After the Battle series.

Measurements: approx. 8 1/4 x 5 7/8 inches

Dates: n/a

Condition: In decent condition, please see images. 

Internal notes: QC passed

Above the clouds, two titans of Cold War aviation silently shadow each other across a pale blue sky — the McDonnell Phantom FGR.2 of No. 43 Squadron RAF in stark contrast to the imposing profile of a Soviet TU-20 Bear. Captured in a moment of tense airborne diplomacy, the photograph freezes a now-historic confrontation between NATO and Soviet strategic forces, where radar locks and counter-manoeuvres spoke louder than words. The atmosphere hums with latent power; the silent ballet of deterrence plays out high above the North Sea.

This original vintage postcard — designated J17 in the After the Battle series — is a historically charged collectible, printed by Battle of Britain experts and officially issued with Ministry of Defence copyright. The detailed caption confirms the encounter was captured during active interception duties, highlighting the RAF’s crucial surveillance role during escalating East-West tensions. The sleek FGR.2 in its checkered markings from RAF Leuchars patrols beneath the massive TU-20, a stark reminder of the ever-watchful Cold War frontier.

Owning this postcard is more than acquiring ephemera — it is preserving a rare Cold War record, a visual archive of Britain’s frontline defenders in an era where peace relied on vigilance. This piece will appeal deeply to collectors of military aviation, Cold War history, and those safeguarding the visual narrative of Britain’s aerial heritage. Every detail, from the RAF livery to the Bear’s silhouette, speaks of a time when the balance of power soared at 40,000 feet.