History of Manston Airfield 100 years of flight

Because of some of the detail for the daily posts, you can see today’s events on our timeline page

• #OnThisDay1919
• Air Mechanic 1st Class Walter D.R. Brisley, aged 40, killed in unknown circumstances.
• #OnThisDay1921
• Wing Commander Primrose, as Commanding Officer at Manston, unveiled the war memorial in Manston village.
• #OnThisDay1934
• Empire Day at Manston saw the public being escorted around the buildings and hangers. 600 people attended, raising money for the RAF Benevolent Fund.
• #OnThisDay1935
• RAF Manston was opened to the public as part of the second Empire Air Day, with proceeds to the Benevolent Fund.
• #OnThisDay1940
• No.12 Servicing Flight posted to Manston from Hemlow.
• The first of the high-speed launches, HSL101, arrives at Ramsgate Harbour from Newhaven to carry out air-sea rescue duties, part of No.24 Air Sea Rescue Unit, with crew billeted to the Oaks Hotel.
• #OnThisDay1942
• No.32 Sqn returns to Manston to take part in an Army exercise codenamed 'Tiger'.
• A night fighter Mosquito arrives at Manston, which was soon surrounded by an admiring crowd.
• #OnThisDay1952
• USAF F84 waiting to take off had an explosion and a fire, the pilot escaping safely.

The History of Manston Airfield site is dedicated to the history of Manston Airfield, in Kent from its first official usage back in 1916.

It is intended to bring together the various sources of information at events, squadrons, aircraft and personnel that have been involved in the site.

The site and social media pages are currently all non-profit making. Obviously we do incur costs so any contributions via donations or online sales are appreciated to ensure this project continues.

We are not directly connected with either of the two museums currently at Manston, but may work alongside them.

Due to the amount of history, it is likely that this site will be continually updated and extended and is not intended to be a complete historical record for some time to come.