Waterlooville businessman launches commission coins for Royal Navy aircraft carriers

David MacAskill, who runs printing firm A1 Print Services, has launched special collectable commission coins for Royal Navy aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

The former teacher, from Waterlooville, started up his business in January 2019, after leaving his teaching job, by printing on mugs.

He is now licensed to print military merchandise and produces a large range of products, which is approved by the Ministry of Defence to use crests and badges of all of the branches and departments of the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force with the exception of special forces, the veterans badge and the Red Arrows.

His most recent product, the commission coins, are a collectable item, which are traded and awarded by service personnel and people who have worked alongside them, or used as memorabilia.

They also come with a presentation pack with information about the carriers.

Other military merchandise includes clothing, mugs, lanyards, patches and more.

He said: ‘I was born in Portsmouth and I am proud of Portsmouth. It’s a naval city and this is all very much naval-based.’

David, who has always been business-minded, works from his home in Waterlooville and produces a range of printing services, including clothing and promotional material.

He also has a glassware arm of the business, called Etchers, which consists of personalised laser-engraved glassware.

Another project he is working on is cartoon versions of Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Airforce branches and departments for the children of service personnel.

The idea behind this was to educate the children on the ships or aircraft on which their family are serving in an informal and fun way.

He is hoping to release information and colouring books with the cartoons, which include ‘Queen E’ and ‘Princey’ - which are cartoon versions of HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

The 48-year-old, who was a teacher for 18 years, has also worked alongside many businesses in the city, including Indian restaurant The Akash, for their package design for their Curry by Air spices, Portsmouth City Council, the University of Portsmouth and Shaping Portsmouth.