On the subject of 'local area maps', John Redding used to have a neat trick during his introductory lecture to new VC10 students...
"This is a VC10 local area map", he used to announce, before producing a world globe from behind the lectern. Which rather made the point!!
Back to the Veteran Card, I sent off my paper application form and photo on 4th Feb. On 5th Mar I received an acknowledgement stating that the card would arrive in 'up to 8 weeks'......